« Representatives of the Diocese of Sourozh took part in the ceremonial events on the occasion of the consecration of the temple of the Malankara Church of India in Newcastle »

On May 27, 2024, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Secretary of the Sourozh diocese, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, and Rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Newcastle, Priest Viktor Akhryapin, attended the divine service and took part in the solemn meeting on the occasion of the great consecration of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle in Newcastle, which was performed by the Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Matthews III, who is on an official visit to Great Britain.

The celebrations were attended by the Administrator of the Diocese of Great Britain, Europe and Africa, Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, clergy of the Church of India from parishes in Great Britain and Ireland, representatives of Christian denominations, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Councillor Veronica Dunn, and numerous parishioners of the Malankara Church. 

After the consecration of the temple and the Divine Liturgy, a memorial plaque was unveiled and a ceremonial part took place, at which speeches were made by His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Matthews III, Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, diocesan clergy, Lord Mayor of Newcastle, representatives of the Church of England, and the Roman Catholic Church. 

On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko addressed the high assembly with greetings from the Administrator of the Sourozh Diocese, His Grace Bishop Matthew. Highly appreciating the long-term fraternal relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church of India, Archpriest Dimitry emphasised that in the person of the Primate of the Malankara Church, the Russian Orthodox Church has a good and faithful friend, an active co-worker in the field of Christian witness. At the end of the speech, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko presented for the Church of St.Thomas the Apostle the altar liturgical Gospel, published in English by the Publishing House of the Moscow Patriarchate with the participation of the Diocese of Sourozh.

At the end, the presentation of memorable gifts to the guests of the celebrations and a festive reception took place.

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