« Concelebration of Representatives of the Three Dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland »
18-07-2020 
On Saturday, July 18th, the Feast Day of St Sergius of Radonezh and the Venerable Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth, with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Archpriest Joseph Skinner, Head of the Department for Inter-Orthodox Relations of the Diocese of Sourozh, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archpriest Paul Elliott, Chancellor of the Dioces of London and Western Europe (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) and Archpriest Timothy Curtis of the UK Deanery of the Archdiocese of Parishes of Russian Orthodox Tradition in Western Europe at the Church of St Elisabeth the New Martyr in Wallasey, Birkenhead.
Although modest in scale, this was an historic occasion, being apparently the first time that representatives of the three strands of the Russian Orthodox Church in these Islands had celebrated together in the almost one hundred years of their distinct existence. It was also a joyful occasion for Fathers Paul, Timothy and Joseph, three British men whom the Divine Providence has called to serve as priests in their respective parts of the Russian Orthodox Church, and who know one another well. Each was accompanied by their matushka, all of whom bear the name Elizabeth.
The Parish of St Elisabeth celebrated its Patronal Festival the following day, but on this occasion had the joy of welcoming a new member, the servant of God, Nicholas, who was baptised in the course of the Liturgy.
It is much to be hoped that such concelebrations, witnessing to 'the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' (Eph. 4:3), will become a regular feature of the life of the Russian Orthodox Church in these lands.