« Rules for visiting the Dormition Cathedral in London to participate in services »
01-10-2020 Dear brothers and sisters!
Updated on October 1, 2020
According to the requirements of the British Government to ensure safety during the coronavirus epidemic, when visiting the Dormition Cathedral to participate in services from July 5th, 2020, the following rules must be taken into account:
1. The church is open on Saturday and Sunday:
- for participation in the Divine Liturgy from 9:30 am to 11:30 am (prior registration is required - see paragraph 17);
- for visits and individual prayers from 12:00 to 18:00 - Sundays only
2. There has to be a limit on the number of parishioners who may be in the church at any one time - the number is regulated by the church administration.
3. Inside the church one must stand on the special markings, observing the mandatory safe distance of 2 metres from each other.
4. According to state regulations, only those parishioners without symptoms of coronavirus, not older than 70, who do not suffer from chronic disease or fall into the clinically defined high-risk group, may visit the church.
5. Women should not come to church in trousers, short skirts, sleeveless sweaters and blouses (with open arms). Woman's head should be covered with a headscarf or scarf. Before entering the church, men must take off their headdress. You cannot enter the church in T-shirts, shorts, sportswear and untidy clothes.
6. Communication in the church, except for members of one family or those living together, but no more than 6 people, without observing a distance of 2 meters, is not allowed.
7. Those entering the church must wear a protective mask.
8. Parents are responsible for the behaviour of children in the church. Due to the inability to provide the necessary conditions for the safety of children, visiting the cathedral with children under 7 years of age is not recommended for the time being.
9. Notes with names (up to 10 on one sheet) of the living and departed to be prayed for should be brought with you as there will be no facility to write them in church. All notes will be read at the Divine Liturgy, which is celebrated by the clergy of the church who are not at risk.
10. It is allowed to light candles on the candlesticks before the icons, but it is strictly forbidden to kiss the icons or touch them with your hands. You should approach the candlesticks one at a time, continuing to keep a distance of 2 m from others. It will be possible to take holy water and prosphora before the service begins.
11. We accept orders for services on distance: molebens, panikhidas, 40 days commemorations (or 6 months commemorations), annual commemorations, commemoration at the proskomedia.
12. The Sacrament of Baptism is performed individually, on Saturdays at 13:00 (prior registration is required - see paragraph 17).
14. The funeral service can be performed in the church by prior arrangement with a priest.
15. The cathedral shop is open daily 11 am - 4 pm.
16. The broadcast of divine services from our church is carried out on the Facebook page - Life of Sourozh.
17. Following the above requirements, attendance at divine services and participation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Wedding is possible only by appointment. Registration can be done by e-mail cathedralregister@gmail.com or by calling 07793-055-388 from Monday to Friday, from 12:00 to 15:00. To attend services, your signature is required to agree with the established rules. A relevant form will be sent to you in a response letter.
18. Children under 7 years old may commune at the end of the Divine Liturgy only by prior appointment - e-mail to cathedralregister@gmail.com
19. Confirmation of the application to participate in a divine service will be sent in a separate letter. A completed online form is invalid without confirmation.
Thank you for your understanding and patience. We hope that in time these restrictions will cease to be necessary and we will soon be able to return to the usual course of our church life.
If you have any signs of possible coronavirus infection, or if you are at risk (i.e. you are over 70, or you have a chronic illness) - please stay home!