« On the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh header a solemn service at the Dormition Cathedral in London »

On the night of May 4-5, 2024, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated Easter services at the Dormition Cathedral in London - Midnight Office, procession of the cross, Easter Matins and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Concelebrating with His Grace were Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, Secretary of the Sourozh Diocese Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, clergy of the UOC temporarily staying in the territory of the Sourozh Diocese, Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch and Deacon Alexander Kapustin.

Liturgical chants were performed by the choir of the Dormition Cathedral under the direction of Dmitry Tugarinov.

Accompanied by the singing of the stichera “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior,” a procession of the cross was held to the cathedral square.

During Easter Matins, Bishop Matthew read the Catechetical Sermon of St. John Chrysostom for Holy Pascha.

According to established tradition, at the Easter hour, in the altar of the church, His Grace Vladyka and the clergy changed their white vestments to red ones.

At the small entrance, in recognition of his diligent pastoral labours, Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, on the proposal of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, was awarded the Patriarchal liturgical award of the Russian Orthodox Church - the right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with open Royal Doors until the “Our Father”. 

During the Liturgy, the Easter Gospel (John 1:1-17) was read in 5 languages - Church Slavonic and 4 European languages: French, German, Spanish and English.

Following the sacramental verse, Archpriest Dimitry Nestoupenko and Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch read out, in Russian and English, the Easter message of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the Archpastors, pastors, monastics and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church.

After the prayer behind the ambo, the Archpastor consecrated the artos.

At the end of the divine service, His Grace Bishop Matthew congratulated the believers on Easter - the Holy Resurrection of Christ.

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