« The Right Reverend Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited the archpastoral metochion of Holy New Martyr Elizabeth in Bodiam »
14-07-2018 
On July 14, on the eve of the patronal feast, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh paid an archpastoral visit to the Bishop's metochion in honor of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth and led the Divine Liturgy in the house church.
His Eminence was assisted by Archpriest Stefan Platt, Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, protodeacon Vadim Santsevtich. Archpriest Hierotheus Gheorghiou, rector of the Greek parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, in Hastings, was present at the service.
After the Liturgy, a moleben service and a procession with the relics of the Holy Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara took place.
Vladyka Matthew warmly congratulated all thoese gathered for the divine service and addressed the audience with words of spiritual edification, noting in particular the significance of the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara and the whole Royal family, whose memory keeps, on these days, the fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church. Special words of gratitude were said for nun Martha (Persianinova), elder sister of the sisterhood of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth, head of the household of the Bishop's Metochion, who for 15 years has been carrying on monastic activities in maintaining spiritual life and everyday duties for the benefit of the development of the Metochian.
The festive meal was organised by pilgrims and parishioners of the metochion.
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