« Name Day of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh »

On November 29, on the feast of the holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.

On the day of the heavenly patron saint, Archpriest Benedict Ramsden, Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, Archpriest Alexander Ilic (Serbian Patriarkate), Archpriest Mikhail Gogolev, Archpriest Stephen Platt, Dean of the Central District, Archpriest Joseph Skinner, Dean of South-Western District, Archpriest Georgy Zavershinsky, Dean of the Scottish and Northern Irish District,  Archpriest Andrei Louth, Archpriest Nikolai Preskure, Priest Nikolai Evseev, Priest Dmitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Sourozh Diocese, Priest Anatoly Vikhrov, Priest Alexander Menshikov, Priest John Kazadoev, Protodeacon Vadim Santsevich, Deacon Victor Ahryapin and Deacon Viktor Nikiforov arrived to congratulate their archpastor Vladyka Matthew  and celebrate the Liturgy.

The liturgical chants were sung by the Cathedralh coir under the direction of M.V. Bezmenova.

Upon the completion of the divine service, the clergy of the diocese warmly congratulated Vladyka with his Name Day.

After the prayer of glorification in front of the ikon of the holy Apostle Matthew, Archpriest Benedict Ramsden, the oldest cleric of the Sourozh Diocese, addressed Vladyka Matthew with a congratulatory word from all those present at the temple on that day. In his speech, he noted Vladyka’s archpastoral works for the benefit of affirming Orthodoxy not only in the British Isles, but also in Canada and the USA, where Vladyka Matthew exercises the temporary administration of the Patriarchal parishes.

In return, Vladyka thanked all those who came to share the joy of the feast with him, spoke about life and labors of his patron saint, who had worked hard to spread the Gospel of Christ and was crowned with a martyr's crown, noting that he finds guidance in his spiritual life and follows the example of the holy Apostle Matthew , whose name by the providence of God, he was given in the tonsure.

During the congratulations at the festive meal, Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese, announced the congratulations from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

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