« On the day of commemoration of St. Stephen of Sourozh, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy in the Dormition Cathedral in London »

On December 28, 2024, on the day of commemoration of St. Stephen the Confessor, Archbishop of Sourozh (VIII с.), Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Dormition Cathedral in London.

This day marks the 7th anniversary of the appointment of Bishop Matthew to the Sourozh See (minutes No. 116 of the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 12/28/2017).

His Grace was assisted by Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky, Dean of the Diocesan District of South East England Archpriest Vitaly Polischuk, Secretary of the Sourozh Diocese Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, clergy of the UOC temporarily residing in the territory of the Sourozh Diocese, Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch and Deacon Alexander Kapustin.

The liturgical chants were performed by the choir of the Dormition Cathedral under the direction of Dmitry Tugarinov.

After the litany of fervent supplication, Bishop Matthew proclaimed a prayer for the granting of peace.

After the prayer behind the ambo, the Archpastor and the clergy performed a prayerful glorification in front of the icon of St. Stephen of Sourozh with a particle of his holy relics.  

After the dismissal of the Liturgy, the Secretary of the Sourozh Diocese, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, on behalf of the clergy and parishioners, warmly congratulated His Grace Bishop Matthew on the 7th anniversary of his service at the cathedra and presented Vladyka with a bouquet of flowers as a sign of gratitude. Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch proclaimed many years to His Grace Vladyka.

In conclusion, the Right Reverend Archpastor addressed those present with words of sermon and spiritual edification. Simultaneous translation into English was provided by Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch.

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