« On the day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in London for parishioners over 70 years old and those at risk group »

On September 11, 2020, on the day of the Beheading of the Holy Prophet John, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral in London.

His Grace was assisted by the Secretary of the Sourozh Diocese, Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, and Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch.

At the augmented litany, petitions were raised to get rid of the spread of the harmful epidemic - coronavirus infection.  Then His Grace Vladyka offered up a prayer, which is read during the spread of a harmful epidemic.

At the Liturgy, parishioners aged 70 and older, who are part of the official risk group, approved by Government agencies following quarantine measures to combat the coronavirus epidemic, prayed and received the Holy Mysteries.

Due to the need to comply with the rules of social distancing in churches, registration for the service was made in advance by e-mail and by phone.

An announcement for the next divine service for parishioners at risk will be posted on the diocesan website.

On this day, the Russian Orthodox Church prays for those suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction.  The celebration of the Day of Sobriety on August 29 (September 11), the day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, was established by the Holy Governing Synod in 1913; and restored by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on July 25, 2014 (journal No. 80).

At the end of the service, Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko read from the ambon "The Address of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the occasion of the Day of Sobriety."

The service was broadcast live on the diocesan page Life of Sourozh on the social network Facebook.

Photo gallery