Monday
Nov132023
« The annual pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Cedd of Lastingham »
13-11-2023 
On Saturday, 11 November 2023, clergy and parishioners of the diocesan district of Northern England made a pilgrimage to Lastingham, to the burial place of St. Cedd (+664).With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the pilgrim group was led by priest Anatoly Vikhrov, Rector of the parishes of St. Xenia of St.Petersburg in Leeds, of the Meeting of the Lord in Bradford, of the Equal to the Apostles St. Constantine and St. Helena in York and of the Nativity of Christ in Kingston-upon-Hull. Rector of the church of St. Aidan and St. Chad in Nottingham, Archpriest Gregory Butler, also joined the pilgrimage.
In the picturesque village of Lastingham, located in North Yorkshire, lies the ancient Church of the Virgin Mary. In the center of the church, there is a staircase leading to the crypt, built on the territory of an ancient monastery, the history of which dates back to 654. Here, to the right of the altar of the chapel, Saint Cedd, whose memory the Church commemorates on November 8th, was buried in 664.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the church, after which a moleben was served in the crypt, at the burial place of St. Cedd.
Liturgical hymns were performed by singers of the diocesan community of St. Cedd of Lastingham in Southgate, who specially arrived for the feast from London.
During the Liturgy, parishioners from various parishes and communities of the Diocese of Sourozh, located in Hall, York, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, London, Nottingham and Southgate, prayed and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
At the end of the divine service, Father Anatoly addressed the pilgrims with words of greeting and gratitude for their help in organizing the pilgrimage.
On behalf of those present, Fr Anatoly also thanked Rector, clergy and parish council of the Anglican Church of the Virgin Mary in Lastingham for kindly offering opportunity to celebrate the divine service and for their warm, friendly welcome.