« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh took part of the Enthronement of Bishop Nektarije of London and of Britain and Ireland, Serbian Orthodox Church »

On November 24, 2024, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh took part of the Enthronement of Bishop Nektarije of London and of Britain and Ireland. The celebrations took place in the Cathedral Church of St. Sava of the Serbian Orthodox Church in London.

The service was led by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Lord Porfirije. The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church was assisted by the Serbian hierarchs: Bishop of London and of Great Britain and Ireland Nektarije, Metropolitan Dositej of Scandinavia, Metropolitan Arsenije of Niš, Bishop Isihije of Valjevo, Bishop Nikon of Jenopolje. The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the Romanian Orthodox Church were represented by Metropolitan Joseph, head of the Romanian Metropolitanate of Western and Southern Europe and Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania. The numerous clergy were co-celebrated the archpastors. The Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, also took part in the festive service and events. Representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches prayed in the church, and representatives of Christian denominations represented in the British Isles were present. The celebrations were attended by Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, numerous guests of honour, a large number of parishioners and representatives of the Serbian diaspora in Great Britain.

After the Liturgy, the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church is Archimandrite Nektarije (Đurić), solemnly announced the synodal decision to elect Bishop Nektarije to the British and Irish See. His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, handing the bishop's staff to Bishop Nektarije, instructed him in his upcoming episcopal service in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. After his Enthronement, Bishop Nektarije addressed the Primate of the Serbian Church and those present in the church with a speech. Then the welcoming address of the British monarch King Charles III was read out.

In memory of their joint participation in the celebrations, Bishop Matthew presented Bishop Nektarije with a liturgical Gospel, published in English by the Moscow Patriarchate Publishing House with the participation of the Diocese of Sourozh.

A festive reception was held at the end.

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