« The opening of the II Diocesan Children's Art Competition "White Flower Festival" »

On November 17, 2024, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the opening of the II Diocesan Children's Art Competition "White Flower Festival" took place in the library of the Dormition Cathedral in London.

The competition, dedicated to the memory of the Holy Royal Martyrs - Emperor Nicholas Alexandrovich, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and their five children, as well as the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, has become an important annual event for parish schools of the Sourozh Diocese and secular Russian schools in Great Britain and Ireland.

The exhibition was opened by Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, spiritual father of the children's parish school at the Dormition Cathedral. In his speech, Father Maxim noted that the competition brought together talented children from  diocesan parochial schools of London, Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham and Dublin, as well as from secular London based schools supporting the Russian language: Raduga (Rainbow) school, Vishnevy Sad (Cherry Orchard) school, Dar (Gift) children's center,  Znanie (Knowledge) school and Istok (Source) school of Russian language and literature from Chelmsford.

Director of the parochial school at the London Cathedral, E.N. Poplavskaya, reminded the guests of the significance of the White Flower Festival, first organized in Russia by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in 1911 with the participation of her daughters and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. The funds collected at charity bazaars were used to treat patients with tuberculosis, and the Empress personally participated in their distribution to various charitable institutions.

The exhibition opening program included poems dedicated to the theme of flowers performed by young parishioners of the church.

Children's creative works reflected a deep understanding of the spiritual and historical meanings associated with the feat of the last Russian tsar, Emperor Nicholas II, and the entire royal family, their service to God, the Motherland and the people.

The diocesan competition and exhibition are aimed at preserving the memory of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers and call on parents and teachers to raise children in the spirit of the Orthodox faith, love, mercy and charity.

The exhibition will last until December 19. Free admission.

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