« Annual Conference of the Diocese of Sourozh »

The Annual Conference of the Diocese of Sourozh took place from 22nd to 25th May at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, near Reigate, Surrey, on the theme “Living as Orthodox in the Modern World”.

Approximately one hundred and fifty members of the clergy and laity (including children of all ages) from various parts of United Kingdom attended the conference, some as day visitors. Issues discussed included the interaction between the Church and society, and the life of believers in the rapidly changing world.

Among the speakers at the conference were Archpriest Mikhail Dudko, the ecclesiarch of the London Cathedral, Hieromonk Nicholas (Sakharov) from the Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, Archpriest Vladimir Vorobyev, Rector of St Tikhon’s Orthodox University in Moscow, and Dr Dimitri Conomos from Oxford.

In addition to the main talks there were discussions in small ‘workshop’ groups. Those gathered at the conference had an opportunity to meet with the ruling bishop of the diocese, Bishop Elisey, and to talk with the guests of the forum and with each other in an informal atmosphere.

Each day began and ended with a service in the school chapel, furnished for the conference with a portable icon screen brought to the conference by members of the Parish of St Kentigern, Glasgow.

The first issue of the re-launched “Sourozh” journal, printed in full colour, was presented at the conference. Bishop Elisey introduced the editorial team to the members of the conference, and reminded them about the importance of witnessing to the traditions and sacred places and objects of Russian Orthodoxy in a non-Orthodox world.

On Sunday, 24th May, the name-day of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Elisey of Sourozh, concelebrated by the diocesan clergy. After the Liturgy those who gathered for the service sang “Many Years” for His Holiness.