Press Release: High Court Decision in the Dispute Between the Diocese of Sourozh and the Episcopal Vicariate

In speaking about the judgment, Bishop Elisey of Sourozh said that, "We welcome this judgment, which recognises the vigorous life of the Diocese and the London Parish and the importance of its work. The Russian Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom remains true to its original vision and purpose, which is to minister to all adherents to the Russian Orthodox tradition, of whatever nationality or background. We give thanks that this judgment will now allow the Church to devote all of its energies and all of its resources to such vision and purpose."

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"Sourozh" journal re-launched

After a break in publication, caused by organisational and financial difficulties, a new issue of “Sourozh”, the 104th, has been published. This journal was created under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, and was published by the diocese for many years.

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Annual Conference of the Diocese of Sourozh

The Annual Conference of the Diocese of Sourozh took place from 22nd to 25th May at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, near Reigate, Surrey, on the theme “Living as Orthodox in the Modern World”.

Approximately one hundred and fifty members of the clergy and laity (including children of all ages) from various parts of United Kingdom attended the conference, some as day visitors. Issues discussed included the interaction between the Church and society, and the life of believers in the rapidly changing world.

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Bishop Elisey, Archbishop Anatoly and diocesan clergy attended an annual inter-confessional reception

The yearly inter-confessional reception took place on the 12th May in Lambeth Palace. The reception was held on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury by the Right Reverend Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, who is Chairman of the Church of England’s Council for Christian Unity.

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Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, a cleric of the London Cathedral, celebrated his seventieth birthday

The oldest archpriest of the London Cathedral Maxim Nikolsky celebrated his seventieth birthday. On Thursday, 30 April, after the evening service, father Maxim served a thanksgiving moleben and the protodeacon proclaimed many years to him. After the moleben, Archbishop Anatoly of Kerch greeted father Maxim on the remarkable day on behalf of the diocesan clergy and parishioners and wished him spiritual and physical wellbeing and help of God in his pastoral service.

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Easter concert of classical music

On the 26th of April, on St. Thomas’s Sunday (2nd Sunday after Easter), after the Divine Liturgy at 3pm in the tea room of the London Cathedral a festive concert of classical music with poetry reading took place, performed by Eremei Gurchenkov (viola and violine) and Anna Shuvalova (fortepiano) with an episodic participation by Marina Burima.

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The Paschal Message of Bishop Elisey of Sourozh to the Clergy and Faithful of Diocese of Sourozh of the Russian Orthodox Church

I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on the Feast of Easter, the Pascha of the Lord, with a feeling of other-worldly joy, the joy that refreshes our hearts with the mystical triumph of Life.

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Annual Diocesan Conference to be held May 22- 25

The annual conference of the Diocese of Sourozh, which has been taking place almost every year provides a unique opportunity for people from around the country to gather in fellowship, prayer and discourse.

Annual Conference of the Diocese of Sourozh

Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Reigate, Surrey – May 22 – 25, 2009

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Bishop Elisey's archpastoral visit to Cambridge

During the fifth week of the Great Fast Bishop Elisey of Sourozh visited the parish in Cambridge dedicated to Saint Ephrem the Syrian. Vladyka celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the priest Philip Steer. Priest Raphael Armour, the rector of the parish, who recently had major heart surgery, prayed at the service.

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A call to believe in God placed on London buses

A counter campaign against the British atheist "bus adverts" was launched in front of the Diocesan Cathedral. The posters with the slogan "There IS God, Believe! Don't worry and enjoy life!" appeared on the London buses together with an image of the domes of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. The first such bus departed en route to the streets of London in the presence of Bishop Elisey, clergy of the Cathedral of Dormition and All Saints, representatives of other Churches, the sponsors of the campaign, representatives of the Russian community, parishioners and media.

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Pan-Orthodox Vespers was celebrated in London on the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

A traditional Pan-Orthodox Vespers at which representatives of Local Orthodox Churches gathered took place in London. This year the Vespers was celebrated at St George’s Antiochian Cathedral in presence of the Diocesan Bishops: Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Metropolitan John (Archdiocese of Western and Central Europe of the Patriarchate of Antioch), Bishop Elisey of Sourozh (Moscow Patriarchate), Assistant Bishops, clergy, and laity.

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The Rite of the Triumph of Orthodoxy was celebrated in London

On the first Sunday of Lent, the Orthodox Church celebrates a special service called the Rite of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This year as usual the parishioners of the London Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints took part in this common prayer.

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Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy

An ordinary meeting of the clergy of the Diocese of Sourozh took place at the London Cathedral on Cheesefare Saturday, 28 February, when the Church commemorates the Holy Ascetics. At 9 am Bishop Elisey celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the diocesan clergy.

Before the meal following the Liturgy, Vladyka Elisey congratulated the persons celebrating their anniversaries: Ludmila Borovkova, church school catechism teacher, and Svetlana Khvorostovskaya.

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