The Parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Portsmouth celebrated its 30th anniversary »

On July 13, 2025, on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, the day of remembrance of the Council of the twelve glorious and all-praiseworthy apostles, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Portsmouth. On this day, the parish celebrated its 30th anniversary.

At the entrance to the church, the Right Reverend Vladyka was greeted with bread and salt and flowers by the church warden Ekaterina Belova and the treasurer Anastasia Tikhomirova-Sil.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Diocesan District of South West England, Rector of the Parish Archpriest Joseph Skinner, cleric of the Dormition Cathedral in London Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch and cleric of the Sts Peter and Paul Parish in Portsmouth Deacon Victor Nikiforov.

The liturgical hymns were performed by the parish choir under the direction of Mother Sarah Skinner.

After the litany of fervent supplication, His Grace offered a prayer for the restoration of peace.

At the post-communion verse, Bishop Matthew awarded the right to wear the orarion to Nikolai Makarov,  altar server of the Dormition Cathedral in London and the parishes in Portsmouth and Southampton.

After the prayer after the communion, the Archpastor and the concelebrating clergy performed a glorification of the feast.

At the end of the service, the Rector, Archpriest Joseph Skinner, addressed Bishop Matthew with a welcoming speech. In turn, Vladyka thanked Fr. Joseph for his pastoral work in developing church and parish life in the region and addressed the parishioners with words of sermon and spiritual edification. On the occasion of the patronal feast and memorable date, Protodeacon Vadim Santsevich proclaimed a solemn many years.

The patronal feast ended with a fraternal meal organized by the parishioners of the church.

Photo gallery