« In the parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford celebrated the 60th anniversary of the repose of Archimandrite Nicholas (Gibbes) »

Friday 24th March 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the repose of Archimandrite Nicholas (Gibbes) (1873-1963), founder of the first Orthodox parish of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford (1946). Father Nicholas is well-known as having been the devoted servant of the Holy Royal Passion-bearers, Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra of Russia, and tutor of the English language of the Tsarevich Alexei and grand duchesses.

The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated by the Dean of the Diocesan District of Central England, Rector of St Nicholas the Wonderworker parish in Oxford, Archpriest Stephen Platt, assisted by Hieromonk Tikhon (Vasiliev), cleric of the Gatchina diocese. The responses were sung by the parish choir, directed by Anna Platt. 

During the Liturgy,  a memorial litany was offered for the repose of the soul of the ever-memorable servant of God, the Archimandrite Nicholas. 

Following the service, a memorial litya was served at the grave of Archimandrite Nicholas in Headington Cemetery, Oxford. At the end of the service, Fr Stephen spoke about the life and witness of Archimandrite Nicholas, and offered his pectoral cross for veneration by the assembled faithful.

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