« The annual conference of the Diocese of Sourozh was held in Northamptonshire »
17-05-2026 
From May 15 to 17, 2026, the annual gathering of clergy and laity of the Diocese of Sourozh took place at Highgate House (Creaton, Northamptonshire). The main theme of the forum, which brought together Orthodox believers from Great Britain and Ireland, was reflection on the spiritual path of Christians: "Becoming Orthodox: Acquiring the Mind of Christ").
On the evening of Friday, May 15, after registration and a shared meal, the official opening of the conference took place. The work of the gathering commenced with a presentation by renowned American Orthodox biblical scholar, Doctor of Theology and Professor of Patrology Jeannie Constantinou, who joined the assembly via video link from California. Dr. Constantinou delivered a presentation titled "Orthodoxy and Modern Life: Conformity, Compromise or Continuity?" The presentation immediately highlighted the conference's central theological question: how can a modern believer maintain personal fidelity to Christ without being dissolved into secular society? The first day of the conference concluded with informal fellowship, allowing participants to greet one another and exchange views on the topic of the lecture.
The Saturday program opened with a morning session dedicated to in-depth analysis of the patristic tradition and pastoral practice. The first presentation, "From thinking with the Fathers to the Mind of Christ," was delivered by renowned patrologist, Professor Emeritus of Durham University, and retired clergyman of the Diocese of Sourozh, Archpriest Andrew Louth. In his presentation, Fr. Andrew revealed the fundamental difference between purely academic study of the patristic heritage and genuine entry into the mindset and life of the saints. According to the speaker, acquiring the patristic spirit is not an intellectual exercise but a process of gradual transformation of the entire human person on the path toward deification.
Next, the clergy member of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in Oxford, Doctor of Theology (PhD) Deacon Alexy Kostyanovsky, addressed the gathering. Fr. Alexy presented a report titled "On the second Gospel commandment." In his presentation, Deacon Alexy focused on the practical difficulties of observing Christ's commandment to love one's neighbour. As a historical example of such service, the speaker cited the life of nun Maria (Skobtsova). Her experience of creating a "monastery in the world," active participation in the French Resistance, aid to people during the Nazi occupation, and martyrdom in the Ravensbrück concentration camp became a profound testament that genuine love for one's neighbour is a sacrificial calling that may demand from a person what is most precious: life.
The Saturday program continued with a presentation by Laura Jansson, author of the book "Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage through Pregnancy." L. Jansson delivered a presentation titled "For Joy: The Life of Christ as the Heart of Family-Making." Drawing on her many years of experience as a doula and her theological knowledge, the speaker proposed viewing family life not as a theoretical concept but as a living embodiment of the Christian faith. A particularly memorable moment of the presentation was the image of motherhood, connecting generations of people into an unbroken chain reaching back to the time of the Savior's earthly life.
In the afternoon, a presentation on "Russian Monasticism on Mount Athos" was delivered by renowned Russian historian, researcher of the Russian diaspora, and associate researcher at the Institute of World History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, M.G. Talalay. Drawing on materials from his many years of research and his book "Russian Athos: A Guide in Historical Essays," Mikhail Grigorievich traced in detail the stages of formation, flourishing, and revival of Russian monasticism on the Holy Mountain. The author's series of black-and-white photographs by St. Petersburg photographer Alexander Kitaev lent particular vividness to the historical excursion, creating for those present a unique atmosphere of immersion into the life of the Athonite monasteries.
Thematic roundtables were held as part of the conference, allowing speakers and participants to engage directly and discuss issues of concern to them. Informal discussions also continued during shared meals and during breaks between presentations.
The central spiritual events of the gathering were the evening divine service on Saturday and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. With the blessing of the Right Reverend Matthew, Bishop of Sourozh, the divine services were led by the dean of the diocesan district of South-West England, Archpriest Joseph Skinner, who for the past twenty years has been the permanent head of the conference organizing committee.
At the concluding meeting, a greeting address to conference participants from the Right Reverend Matthew, Bishop of Sourozh, who was at that time on an archpastoral visit to the Patriarchal parishes in the USA and Canada, was read out. On the eve of the 55th birthday of Vladyka, celebrated on May 18, those present expressed gratitude to Bishop Matthew for his fatherly care in organizing the annual forum and sang "Many Years" to the archpastor.
In conclusion, the oldest clergyman of the Diocese of Sourozh, Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, summarized the work of the diocesan forum and expressed hope for the continued holding of gatherings of clergy and faithful in the format of the annual conference of the Diocese of Sourozh, a tradition initiated by Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) in 1975.