The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God in Manchester celebrated its patronal feast »
13-10-2025 
On October 12, 2025, the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God in Manchester celebrated its patronal feast. The celebration of the church's feast day had been moved from October 14 to the preceding Sunday.
With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, Dean of the Northern England Diocesan District, and sacristian of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God in Manchester. He was assisted by Priest Anatoly Vikhrov, Rector of the parishes of St. Xenia of Saint Petersburg in Leeds, of the Nativity of Christ in Hull, and of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen in York and of the Meeting of the Lord in Bradford, Priest Victor Akhryapin, Rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Newcastle, of the diocesan communities of St. Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, in Durham, and of St. Ninian of Whithorn in Carlisle, Priest Neil Lyubchenko, Rector of the Parish of St. Kentigern of Strathclyde in Glasgow, and Protodeacon Vadim Santsevich, a cleric of the Dormition Cathedral in London.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of the Church of the Intercession under the direction of Apollinaria Postlethwaite.
Following the litany of fervent supplication, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko offered a prayer for peace.
Being next the prayer after the communion, the clergy performed a prayerful glorification before the icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, followed by a procession around the church.
At the conclusion of the divine service, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko delivered a sermon on the feast day. Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch translated the sermon into English.
Father Dimitry conveyed to the clergy and parishioners the blessing and congratulations of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, on the occasion of the patronal feast. On behalf of His Grace, he presented the church with a painting depicting the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God on the Nerl. This landscape painting by Russian artist Vera Protasova will be displayed in the refectory of the Manchester church.
Archpriest Dimitry warmly congratulated the clergy and parishioners on the patronal feast day and thanked all those participating in the celebration for their preparations and shared prayers during the Divine Liturgy. Archdeacon Vadim Santsevich solemnly proclaimed the many years.
The clergy and parishioners continued their fellowship over a meal prepared by the parish community. During the festive meal, students and teachers from the Intercession Parish School presented a fairytale theatrical production, recited poetry, and performed sacred and secular music.