« Divine service was concelebrated in London on the Angel's day of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh »

On November 29, 2019, on the feast day of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh served the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in London.

His Grace was assisted by Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, Dean of the Diocesan District of the North of England and Wales, Archpriest Stephen Platt, Dean of the Diocesan District of Central England, Archpriest Mikhail Nasonov, Dean of the Diocesan District of the Republic of Ireland, Archpriest Joseph Skinner, Dean of the Diocesan District of South-West England, Archpriest Georgy Zavershinsky, Dean of the Diocesan District of Scotland and Northern Ireland, clergy and guests of the Diocese of Sourozh.

Liturgical chants were sung by the choir of the Cathedral under the direction of Marina Bezmenova.

The service was conducted in Church Slavonic and English.

At the small entrance, the Right Reverend Vladyka awarded priest Sergiy Fedorenko, cleric of the Dormition Cathedral in London, the right to wear a golden pectoral cross. Priest Victor Akhryapin, cleric of the church of St.George the Victorious, Newcastle, was awarded the right to wear nabedrennik.

Following the after communion verse, in the altar of the Cathedral, the clergy congratulated their Archpastor with his name's day. 

After the prayer before the ambon, Vladyka and the co-serving clergy sung glorification in front of the ikon of the Holy Apostle Matthew.

On behalf of the clergy and parishioners, Vladyka Matthew was addressed by Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, Sacristian of the Cathedral.  Father Dimitry warmly congratulated Vladyka with the feast of his patron Saint and, on behalf of the clergy and parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral, presented to Vladyka a holy cross, panagia and a bouquet of flowers.

In response, Vladyka Matthew expressed his gratitude for the kind words of congratulation and addressed those gathered with his Archpastoral edification.  Then a solemn "many years" was sung to Vladyka.

Archpriest Georgy Zavershinsky and Archpriest Gregory Butler were awarded the Patriarchal medals "In memory of the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church" for their many years of hard work for the benefit of the Church of Christ.

All those gathered in the Cathedral on this day were able to congratulate Vladyka during the festive meal organised by the efforts of the parishioners of the Cathedral.

Photogallery