« Orthodox pilgrimage to the burial place of St. Martyr Winifred of Trefynnon in Gwitherin, Wales »

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, clergy and parishioners of the Diocesan Districts of Wales and Northern England made a joint pilgrimage to Gwitherin, North Wales. At the resting place of the abbess of the monastery founded by Saint Eleril in the 7th century - Saint Winifred, Martyr of Trefynnon († 630) - in the ancient church consecrated in honour of the Saint, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated.

The service was celebrated by Dean of the Diocesan District of Wales, Archimandrite Deiniol (Davies), assisted by Rector of the parishes of St. Blessed  Xenia of Petersburg in Leeds, of the Meeting of the Lord in Bradford, of St. Constantine and St. Helena in York and of the Nativity of Christ in Kingston upon Hull Priest Anatoly Vikhrov and the cleric of the Church of All Welsh Saints in Blaenai Fistiniog Priest Lazarus Jones.

The liturgical hymns were performed by a combined choir of singers from the parishes of the two deaneries. The Liturgy was celebrated in three languages - Church Slavonic, English and Welsh. Pilgrims from various locations in Wales, Northern England and the capital of Great Britain, London, prayed at the service.

At the end of the Liturgy, Archimandrite Deiniol warmly greeted the pilgrims and told them about the life of the martyr Winifred, who lived here in the 7th century and was one of the most revered saints of the undivided Church in Great Britain. 

Then there was a religious procession around the church, and the pilgrims visited the site of the ancient monastery cemetery. 

At the end of the pilgrimage, the clergy and parishioners shared a common meal. 

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