Address of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh to the clergy and laity of the Sourozh Diocese


His Holiness the Patriarch makes an appeal to all believers, to pray together, while staying in their homes, from 2.00pm London time (4.00pm in Moscow) on Friday, April 3, 2020, starting by reading the akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God with an addition of a prayer for getting rid of the coronavirus infection.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia approved texts of prayerful supplications in view of the threat of the spreading coronavirus infection.
With the blessing of His Holiness, the prayers will be lifted up during the Divine Liturgy at all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church.
On March 24, 2020, the funeral service for the church volunteer Igor Stepshin took place at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London. For many years I. Stepshin voluntarily carried various obediences to the church, and worked daily in the Cathedral.
On March 22, 2020, on the 3rd Sunday of the Great Lent, veneration of the Holy Cross, day of memory of the forty martyrs of Sebastia, the Dormition Cathedral of the city of London opened for parishioners' visits and individual prayers.
On March 21, 2020, on the eve of the 3rd Sunday of the Great Lent, the Cross-worshiping week, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh served all-night vigil with the procession of carrying the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
Taking into account the widespread expansion of coronavirus infection and following the decision by the British Government, we are very sorry to inform you that all services in the parishes of the Diocese of Sourozh in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are suspended, starting from Sunday, March 22, 2020, until a relevant order by the British authorities.
Dear brothers and sisters!
Due to the current situation with coronavirus and preventive measures in place, the general Holy Unction (Soborovaniye) has been temporary suspended at the Dormition Cathedral in London.
The Sacrament of Holy Unction can be performed individually, at home, by a prior arrangement with a priest.
On February 22, 2020, parishioners of the Church of St.Aidan and St.Chad (Nottingham), headed by Archpriest Gregory Butler, Rector of the church, and a group of parishioners from the Diocesan District of the North of England and Wales, together with Priest Anatoly Vikhrov, made a pilgrimage trip to the parish of All Saints who shone in the land of Britain and to the parish of St. Prince Lazarus in Birmingham.
Your Eminences and Graces, Beloved in Christ fathers, brothers and sisters!
On the eve of the second Sunday of Great Lent, I appeal to all of you in connection with the difficult situation prevailing in the countries of the canonical territory of the Western European Patriarchal Exarchate.
The coronavirus, which affected many countries of the globe, continue its march around the world, and entered the doors of our common home, becoming not only the cause of serious illness, but also of tragic deaths.
On March 8, 2020, on the first Sunday of the Great Lent, the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and headed the Rite of the Triumph of Orthodoxy at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
On March 7, 2020, on Saturday of the first week of the Great Lent, feast day of St. Theodore Tyron and Holy Blessed Matrona of Moscow, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
On March 6, 2020, on Friday of the first week of the Great Lent, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
On March 5, 2020, on Thursday of the first week of the Great Lent, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh served the Great Compline with reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
On March 5, 2020, on Thursday of the first week of the Great Lent, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh prayed at the morning statutory service at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
On March 4, 2020, on Wednesday of the first week of the Great Lent, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh served Great Compline with the reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.