His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh led the rite of forgiveness at Dormition Cathedral in London »
22-02-2026 
On the evening of February 22, 2026, Cheesefare Sunday, the Sunday commemorating Adam's expulsion (Forgiveness Sunday), His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh prayed at Vespers and led the rite of forgiveness at Dormition Cathedral in London.
Vespers on the eve of Lent Monday was celebrated by Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, assisted by Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch and Protodeacon Ioann Sylnik.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of Dormition Cathedral under the direction of Dmitry Tugarinov.
The first part of the service was celebrated in gold vestments. After the singing of the Great Prokeimenon and the closing of the Royal Doors, the clergy changed into black Lenten vestments. At the end of Vespers, the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, "O Lord and Master of my life," was read.
His Grace Bishop Matthew read the prayers for the beginning of Great Lent in English and Church Slavonic and addressed the participants in the service with a sermon. Simultaneous translation into English was provided by Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch.
Then His Grace the Archpastor asked forgiveness from the clergy and parishioners. Following the tradition, the participants in the service asked each other for forgiveness.