From Diocese of Sourozh
Pan-Orthodox Vespers celebrated in London
This news item posted 25th February 2007
On the day of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Pan-Orthodox Vespers was celebrated in the Dormition Cathedral of the Diocese of Sourozh. Clergy and laity of the London parishes of the Greek, Antiochian, Russian, Georgian, Serbian, Romanian and Bulgarian Churches took part in the service.
The service was headed by Bishop Theodoritos of Nanzianzus, representing the Archdiocese of Thyateira of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Archbishop Anatoly of Kerch, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Sourozh, Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Thyateira, and Bishop Elisey of Bogorodsk, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Korsun and deputy Administrator of the Diocese of Sourozh.
The traditional sermon at the Pan-Orthodox Vespers was given by Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia, a longstanding friend of the Russian Church, who came from Oxford for the occasion. He noted that this celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy served as an occasion for unity, reconciliation and mutual forgiveness among the Orthodox of Great Britain. He also reminded the congregation that peace in a parish, in a diocese and the Orthodox world as a whole is an expression of the internal wholeness and spiritual peace of every Orthodox person.
After the service Bishop Elisey greeted the hierarchs, clergy and all the guests taking part in the common prayers, which marked a new period of peace in the Orthodox life in Great Britain. Afterwards the guests and all those taking part in the celebration were invited to an informal reception and refreshments in the hall of the Cathedral.
