« On the day of celebration of the Holy Prophet Elijah the Cathedral hosted parts of Holy Relics of the Righteous Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara »

On the 27th of June, the day of remembrance of the Holy Prophet Elijah, parts of Holy Relics of the Righteous Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara were brought to the Diocesan Cathedral. At 10 o’clock in the morning the relics were met by the clergy of the Diocese of Sourozh and the Diocese of Germany and Great Britain (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad) followed by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Most Reverend Mark, Archbishop of Germany and Great Britain, Reverend Elisey, Bishop of Sourozh and Most Reverend Anatoly, Archbishop of Kerch, concelebrated by the clergy of both Dioceses.

A moleben was served after the Divine Liturgy. Vladyka Elisey said in his sermon that the Righteous Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth is especially commemorated not only in Russia, where she distinguished herself by great deeds of loving-kindness and where she suffered martyrdom, but also in Britain, with which she had blood ties as she was a great-daughter of Queen Victoria. Her life and her martyrdom are a great example of spiritual unity of orthodox believers in Russia and abroad. Vladyka Mark congratulated bishop Elisey with his name-day and wished him God’s help in his difficult archpastoral ministration. Mitred archpriest Benedict Ramsden, the eldest cleric of the Diocese, congratulated Vladyka Elisey on behalf of the diocesan clergy.

After the Liturgy Vladyka Elisey received congratulations with his name-day from the pupils of the Cathedral parish school. This year’s graduates received their certificates.

After the festive meal, the first in history joint pastoral meeting of the clergy of the Diocese of Sourozh and the Diocese of Germany and Great Britain of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad took place. During the meeting the clergy discussed, in a friendly and heartfelt atmosphere, matters concerning both Dioceses . Joint plans on serving the multi-national orthodox congregation in Great Britain were also discussed at the meeting.

At 4 pm a concert took place featuring church choir “Basiani” from the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi (Georgian Orthodox Church).

A festive all-night-vigil of the third week of the Trinity Sunday, concecrated to all British and Irish Saints, started at 6 pm, During the service singers from “Basiani” choir were singing alongside the singers of the London Cathedral.

During the whole day, a great number of those who came to the Cathedral to pray, were able to venerate the Holy Relics and seek patronage from the Righteous Martyrs.