« On the feast day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited Manchester with archpastoral visit. »

On October 14, 2018, on the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited the city of Manchester with an archpastoral visit and led the patronal festivities at the Stavropegic Patriarchal Church of the Protective Veil.

At the Divine Liturgy His Grace was assisted by Priest Dimitry Nedostudenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, Dean of the Diocean District of the Northern England and Wales, Deputy Dean of the Stavropegic Church of the Protective Veil of Manchester, Priest Anatoly Vikhrov, Rector of the parishes of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg in Leeds and of the Meeting of the Lord in Bedford, Protodeacon Vadim Santsevich, a cleric of the London Cathedral,  and deacon Victor Ahryapin, cleric of St. George’s Church in Newcastle.

The liturgical chants were sung by the choir directed by Thomas Anthony Greenan.

Numerous parishioners from Manchester and cities of the Northern England Deanery prayed at the Liturgy.

After the final prayer, the Archpastor and the serving clergy said a prayer service before the venerable ikon of the Protective Veil of the Most Holy Mother of God.

After the service, His Grace addressed the people gathered in the Church on a feast day with a sermon and spiritual edification, highlighting the meaning of the feast of the Protective Veil of the Mother of God in the life of every Christian. Father Dimitry, Deputy Dean of the Church,  warmly welcomed Vladyka Matthew and, on behalf of a large number of parishioners, congratulated Vladyka with the feast day.

At the meal arranged by the efforts and cares of the parishioners, students and teachers of the parish school "Protective Veil" presented a concert program.

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