From Diocese of Sourozh
A new deacon is ordained during the liturgy for the patronal feast of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Sourozh
The festal Vigil-service on the eve of the Dormition of the Mother of God was celebrated in the London Cathedral by Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun, the Temporary Administrator of the Sourozh Diocese. He was assisted by Bishop Elisey of Bogorodsk and a guest of the Cathedral, Archbishop Kyrill of San-Fransisco and Western America (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad).
At the conclusion of the Vigil, Archbishop Innokenty wished everyone present the joy of the feast and thanked in particular Archbishop Kyrill for taking part in the service. Valdyka Innokenty reminded that such a concelebartion only became possible following the signing of the historic Act of Communion restoring the unity of the Russian Church which took place in May of this year at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
The Divine Liturgy on the feast-day itself was celebrated by Archbishop Innokenty and assisted by Archbishop Anatoly of Kerch and Bishop Elisey of Bogorodsk. Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Patriarchate of Constantinople) remained praying in the altar.
A diaconal ordination took place during the Liturgy at which Matthew Steenberg became the newest cleric of the Diocese of Sourozh. Deacon Matthew is assigned to the Parish of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford. In his address after the Liturgy, Vladyka Innokenty expressed his conviction that Deacon Matthew’s ascent onto the first step of the sacred ministry will be to the greater good of the Church of God. Archbishop Innokenty also thanked Metropolitan Kallistos for his visit, declaring him to be a long-standing friend of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose wise counsel continues to strengthen the unity of Holy Orthodoxy on British soil.
