Dear brothers and sisters, Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus!
Greetings and congratulations as we celebrate the feast of St David, with the blessing of the sun shining, blue sky, plum blossom and the first leaves unfurling in the hedgerows – in Carmarthenshire, at least.
Our holy father, St David was born into the fading legacy of ‘Romanitas’ in Celtic Britain, as the memory and culture of Rome faded and grew ever dimmer with the incursion of Germanic invaders and the passing of time, and his life and ministry connected Wales to both of the ancient patriarchates of Rome and Jerusalem, a wonderful link to both East and West.
The Jerusalem connection was reflected in the pilgrimage of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Damian I, together with the First-Hierarch of our Russian Church Abroad, to St David’s in 1925.
I am always in awe of this visit on the part of our First-Hierarch, Metropolitan Anthony, as a sign of our Church’s devotion to the ancient saints of the west.
Let us turn to St David to pray for Metropolitan Anthony’s successor, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine and for the suffering and persecuted Ukrainian Church.
St David’s memory is one of continuity through the life of our nation, even though protestantism airbrushed and renovated our great patron saint, transforming him into an image of its own making and desire – a comfortable and charismatic image, that does not particularly challenge or prompt serious spiritual questions.
For us Orthodox Christians, who have preserved the patterns of ancient monasticism whose hierarchs are still first and foremost men of prayer and intense spiritual life; who still uphold the ascetic traditions of ancient Christianity; who take prayer and fasting seriously, and who are not worried by long hours of liturgical-prayer – the spiritual world of St David is not far from us and our experience of the Christian life.
But, do we live up to his testament – “Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do”?
We know the things he did, simply from the fact that he was a monk and bishop: being humble, loving and merciful; seeking to serve and protect others; immersing himself in prayer and interceding for the world; fiercely opposing doctrinal falsehood; embracing the discipline of fasting and struggling to overcome the bodily weaknesses that damage us spiritually – in short, spiritual warfare.
The list may sound daunting, but when we break it down to individual actions, decisions and scenarios, all is rather more straightforward for us in imitating him…
Do I choose or even try to be generous, loving, and merciful?
Do I try to live a simple, godly, prayerful and devout life – praying, fasting, serving Christ by serving others and putting them before me?
Do I try to ‘police’ my thoughts, actions and words in the struggle for purity and the restoration of God’s image in me?
Do I seek reconciliation and forgiveness, labouring for peace in my family, street, community or workplace?
Do I try to imitate the Saviour in thought, word and deed?
Do I show humility and obedience by embracing the Traditions and teachings of the Church, even though I may find some of the things difficult and challenging – or do I pick and choose, doing it my own, self-determined way?
We may be doctrinally steadfast and unshakeable, but are we doing the little things? This constant challenge and questioning is a key to the road-map to the Kingdom of Heaven, embracing and joyfully reflecting the way of the saints, which is none other than a reflection of Our Saviour, the ‘Way, the Truth and the Life’.
For St David, Christianity is not simply believed, but a life of doing and action, realised and proved in details and little things, and it is in doing the seemingly little things that we remain steadfast in our Faith and are then able to do the big things.
Real Christianity is not an impressionistic picture painted in approximate, broad and wide brush strokes, but one in which Faith is realised in the small details of living the Gospel in our daily lives, in our families and communities.
Be joyful! Be steadfast! Live the Gospel by doing these little things!
May God bless you all, and have mercy upon us, through the prayers of St David and all of the saints of Wales.
Ode I, Irmos: With an upraised arm Christ drowned the chariots of Pharaoh and his power, and saved Israel, who sent up the hymn: Let us sing unto our wondrous God!
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Deign Thou to fill my mouth with eloquence, O Christ, that I may praise the wondrous David, who enjoineth us, saying: Let us sing unto our wondrous God!
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
A youth comely and full of divine grace, thou didst undertake to study well the Scriptures, O holy David, that thou mightest sing unto our wondrous God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Verily did thy fellows behold a dove with beak of gold playing at thy holy lips, O glorious David, teaching thee to sing the praises of our wondrous God.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In voices of exultation let us hymn the all-pure and immaculate Theotokos, that, saved by her supplications, we may sing unto our wondrous God.
Ode III, Irmos: All the heavens, which were established by Thee, O Word and Power of God, confess Thine ineffable glory and the creation of Thine all-accomplishing hands; for there is none holy save Thee, O Lord.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Despising the vanity of the world, O sacred one, thou didst flee to the venerable Paulinus, great among ascetics, and he taught thee to cry out to the Master of all: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord!
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Destroying his bodily eyes by constant weeping, the elder Paulinus fell blind; but, full of the power of the Word of God, the holy David healed him, crying out: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Replete with the grace of God, David most great set it as his holy task to build many churches and to establish many monasteries, wherein the pious might sing: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O the heavenly glory of thine ineffable birthgiving, O holy Virgin and Mother For in manner beyond the comprehension of man thou gavest birth to thine own Creator, the Word and Power of God.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Withdrawing from the tumults of the world, O holy David, thou didst willingly bend thy neck beneath the yoke of Christ, submitting in obedience to the holy Paulinus, who trained thee to contend with skill against the adversary of our race. Glory to the Judge of thy contest! Glory to Him Who gave thee the victory over Satan! Glory to Him Who hath awarded thee the wreath of victory!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Stretching forth thy divine hands wherewith thou didst bear the Creator Who in His goodness became incarnate, O all-holy Virgin, beg thou that He deliver from temptations, sorrows and tribulations us who praise thee with love and cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt within thee! Glory to Him Who came forth from thee! Glory to Him Who hath delivered us by thy birthgiving!
Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion of Wednesdays and Firdays): In awe at Thy great and awesome forbearance, O Saviour, the all-pure one lamented bitterly and cried out to Thee Who wast crucified on the Cross by the iniquitous and Whose side was pierced with a spear by the soldiers: Glory to Thy love for man! Glory to Thy goodness! Glory to Thee Who by Thy death hast rendered man immortal!
Ode IV, Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ, and all things have been filled with Thy praise, O Lord.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Pious men offered up praise to Christ at Glastonbury when the holy David restored the monastery there.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Poisonous had the waters at Bath become, but by the power of Christ, David made them fit for use again.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Enlightening all the Britons, everywhere the holy one went he built churches, wherein to praise the Lord.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Theotokos was full of the beauty of all the virtues; wherefore, the heavens resound with her praises.
Ode V, Irmos: Enlighten me who rise at dawn out of the night, I pray, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and guide me in Thy precepts; and teach me to do Thy will, O Saviour.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Having filled the land with monastic habitations, the pious David made his abode in Menevia, where he taught the Saviour’s sacred precepts unto all..
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Mortifying all carnal-mindedness, O God-bearer, rising at dawn out of the night thou didst show thyself to be a worthy model of all the Christian virtues.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Imitating the austerities of the ascetics of the Thebaïd, thy monks, bending their will to thine, O saint, committed themselves to fasting and constant prayer.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rising at dawn out of the night, I beg the merciful Mother of God with tears and sighs, that by her intercession I may learn to do the will of her Son.
Ode VI, Irmos: With all my heart I cried out to the compassionate God, and He heard my cry from the uttermost depths of hades, and hath led my life up from corruption.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Abstaining from all but bread and pulse, and slaking their thirst with water alone, led by thee thy monks attained deliverance from corruption.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Constant was thy mental prayer, O saint, for thou didst follow the injunction of the Apostle to pray without ceasing; and God led thee up from hades.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Leading the sheep of thy flock like a good shepherd, O wondrous pastor, thou didst drive from them the demonic wolves, delivering their souls.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Every true Christian crieth out in anguish to the compassionate Bride of God; and, hearkening to our pleas, she entreateth her Son to lead up their life from corruption.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone IV: O thou who didst willing take up thy cross and follow Christ the Lord, and didst fill thy land with new communities dedicated to Him, send down from heaven the grace of God, O great and wondrous David, that we Christians may prevail over all heresies, having thee as an invincible ally amid our struggle for piety.
Ikos: Let us now fittingly praise David, the bishop of Christ, for he was called by God from his mother’s womb to sanctify the people of Wales, and by them was chosen to be their chief bishop; and conducting his ministry in a God-pleasing manner, he brought multitudes to salvation by the gifts of the Spirit which abode in him; wherefore, he is the great boast of all the Welsh, and an invincible ally amid our struggle for piety.
Ode VII, Irmos: We have sinned, we have committed iniquity, we have dealt unjustly before Thee. We have neither done nor acted as Thou hast commanded us. But forsake us not utterly, O God of our fathers.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Sinful and iniquitous is the accursed heresy of Pelagius, who belittled the power of divine grace and exalted the feeble efforts of man’s will; but David set his blasphemy utterly at nought.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Like mute fish did the defenders of Pelagius become, being utterly silenced when the holy one made clear the doctrines of piety by the grace and power wherewith Christ filled his godly mouth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Inspiring the faithful of Wales to turn from heresy and embrace the Truth, David was acclaimed as a champion of piety, who would in nowise forsake the true worship of the God of our fathers.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Knowing the magnitude of our sinfulness and the multitude of our iniquities, we would despair of all mercy; but forsake us not utterly in thy supplications, O all-immaculate and merciful Lady.
Ode VIII, Irmos: In the flame the youths gave the command to hymn God the Father and Creator, the consubstantial Son and the Spirit of God: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Ever did the holy David exhort his flock to worship the All-holy Trinity the unoriginate Father, His only-begotten Son, and the all-holy Spirit in Orthodox manner exalting Him supremely for all ages.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Having taken up the saving yoke of Christ with single mind, bear it to the end, the holy David cried out to his brethren, and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep it and fulfill.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O the love of the saint for the sheep which Christ, the Chief Shepherd, had given into his care! For, dying, he earnestly besought them to bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lambent is the light of thy grace, and though the furnace of our fiery passions rageth mightily, rescue us from its flames, O Mother of our God Who is exalted supremely for all ages.
Ode IX, Irmos: Finding everlasting deliverance from the dread sentence brought upon our race by our first father Adam, with the bodiless ones we glorify thine Offspring Who was begotten from on high, magnifying thee, the Theotokos, with hymns.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Ye saints of Wales, like bees returning with all speed to the hive at the approach of a storm were ye, forewarned by God that thy father and bishop David would soon depart to his Master and Creator; wherefore, ye magnified him with hymns.
Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.
Dying in body, O holy bishop, thy pure soul took wing, and the venerable Kentigern beheld it, soaring aloft, upborne to the heights of heaven by the hands of angelic beings; wherefore, we praise and glorify thy holy memory with hymns of joy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Empty now lieth thy holy tomb, O protector of Wales, and over the ages thy precious relics have been dispersed near and far; yet in spirit thou abidest with all the saints of the Most High, ever sending heavenly aid to us who magnify thee with hymns.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When we must needs stand before the dread tribunal of thy Son and give answer for our countless crimes, O daughter of Adam and Mother of Christ, stand thou with us, and plead for us who magnify thee, the all-holy Theotokos, with hymns.
Troparion, Tone III: Let the Christians of Wales join in gladsome chorus, uplifting their voices in joyous jubilation, as we celebrate the feast of the wondrous David, their holy father and enlightener, who now dwelleth with the saints on high, and doth ever earnestly intercede for us sinners.
Troparion, Tone I: Having worked miracles in thy youth, founded monasteries and converted the pagans who had sought to destroy thee, O Father David, Christ our God blessed thee to receive the episcopate at the place of His Resurrection. Intercede for us, that our lives may be blessed and our souls may be saved.
Here we are at the end of another busy weekend of services and fellowship in Cheltenham and Cardiff, having been blessed to hear confessions, serve the Liturgy, enjoy meals with parishioners and to spend plenty of time with our students and young people.
Yesterday was a long one, but we were very glad to have been able to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the Parental Saturday, also offering a panikhida for “the souls of all our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who from the ages have fallen asleep in the true faith, and in hope of resurrection and life eternal…”, especially remembering the newly-departed priests Stephen and John, the warrior Ioann, and Viktoria, who was laid to rest on Friday.
As usual, we shared a sociable and joyful trapeza before a local house-blessing and a visit to All Saints, Pittville, to collect parish belongings remaining since we last worshipped there in summer 2021. It was lovely to see Father Robert, who will be moving to the parish of St Agnes, Kennington, in April.
The need to set up the chapel at Nazareth House and an hour and a half of confessions saw a stop-off in Cardiff, finally arriving home fourteen hours after the morning departure – fifteen for Father Deacon Mark, for whom the driving on such a long day and in such awful weather must have been tiring and challenging.
Praise God that we see such dedication and such a profound understanding of diakonia – driving, setting up the church, leading the kliros as our usual singers were away, putting everything away again, more driving, setting up another church, and yet even more driving. And then… we started again today!
Such dedication and labour is indicative of the character of the clergy and idea of service in our diocese. We most certainly do not become clergy in ROCOR for an easy, comfortable life, with regularity, and routine, or with a sense of entitlement – especially given that all but three of us in the British part of the diocese have secular work in addition to serving parishes! Or clergy live to serve, however tiring and challenging that service might be.
How blessed we are!
Today was blessed with the Hours and Liturgy for the Sunday of St Gregory Palamas in Nazareth House, and we were pleased to welcome new visitors as well as returning visitors who have discovered us in the last few weeks. Trapeza allowed friendly social interaction, and the chance to welcome new faces, and social time was extended when a group of us made our way to the nearest café, enjoying time together, with much musical talk between some of our musicians, largely about traditional chant systems – and we have so much musical expertise within the community!
I was very pleased that our oltarnik Oswald’s icon-stall continues to receive lots of support from parishioners, and was very glad that my ordered “Weep Not For Me O Mother” was ready, as well as wonderful icons of St Brigid being added to those on sale.
This week will see confessions on Thursday, before compline at 18:00, and I would like those needing to confess to email me by 12:00 on Wednesday.
Saturday will see our pilgrimage to Capel-y-ffin slightly higher up the valley of the Honddu from the site of St David’s Celtic foundation at Llanthony. We will assemble there at 10:30 to set up for the Hours and Liturgy at 11:00. It looks like we will fill the little church, given the numbers who have indicated their intention to join us.
We are very grateful to Fr Richard for the warm hospitality extended to us in allowing the use of Little St Mary’s at Capel-y-ffin, and hope to visit to St Mary’s Church in Hay-on-Wye, part of the same ministry area to which Capel-y-ffin belongs, as well as enjoying the bookshops and cafés.
Unbelievably, Sunday will mark the middle of Lent, with the Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, and the following weekend will be a baptismal one, when we will welcome Dan, Mo and Germaine into the Church – thanks be to God!
Many thanks to all who made the weekend’s celebrations so joyful and warm, especially our singers – who have started preparing for Pascha – and our parish sisters who fed so many people, and also supported the clergy with food. It was a joy to share some of this with students this evening – with Serbian cooking going down very well!
I pray that you will maintain the impetus of the Great Fast, and continue to struggle for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Ode I, Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, * on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, * they cried: * Let us sing to God * a song of victory.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Come, ye faithful, and with spiritual odes let us glorify the Forerunner, the voice of the Word, weaving hymns with a right laudable tongue and an almighty spirit, though our lips be impure.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
With peaceful tranquility the Church of Christ hath been calmed, and with countless multitudes it is prosperously tended, chanting its yearly hymns unto thee, O Forerunner.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Assembling, O ye faithful, let us all honor with hymns, as is meet, the God-bearing head of the Forerunner which hath been given unto us by God as an inviolate treasure.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure one, who received the Creator, as He Himself desired, beyond understanding assuming flesh seedlessly from thy womb, thou hast truly been shown to be the Sovereign Lady of creation.
Ode III, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thou, * O Lord my God, * who hast exalted the horn of The faithful O good One, * and strengthened us upon the rock * of Thy confession.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
A barren womb put thee forth as a divine off-shoot, a glorious attendant to the Bride which is the Church of the nations, betrothing Her to Christ, the true God and Bridegroom.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
O Forerunner John, the wretched adulteress could not stop thy divinely eloquent voice with the sword, for from the earth thou hast revealed thy divine head to us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The city of Jerusalem, desiring thee and radiantly celebrating, keepeth festival, having found thy head as a hidden treasure and an inexhaustible wellspring of healings, O Forerunner.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The wonder of thy divine birthgiving surpasseth the order of nature; for in a manner transcending nature thou didst conceive God in thy womb and, having given birth, dost ever remain a Virgin.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: Like a treasure laid up in a hiding place was the head of the Forerunner preserved, the voice of the Word was hidden in a cistern; but like a grain of wheat planted in the depths of the earth it blossomed forth, yielding the fruit of divine life. The discovery thereof we all honor, glorifying Christ Who hath given it the grace to pour forth healings. (Twice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Secretly pondering in his mind that which was commanded, * the incorporeal one presented himself without delay * in the house of Joseph, * and said unto her who knew not wedlock: * “He Who bowed the heavens down by His descent * shall be immutably contained wholly within thy womb! * And beholding Him assuming the guise of a servant in thy womb, * I am afraid to cry to thee: ** Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!”
Ode IV, Irmos: Christ is my power, * my God and my Lord, * the holy Church divinely singeth, * crying with a pure mind, * keeping festival in the Lord.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Clearly thou wast the seal of the Old Covenant and the prophets, O thou who art most rich, and preaching unto the ends of the earth, thou hast been revealed as the adorner of the bridal chamber of the New Covenant, O Forerunner.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
O Forerunner rejoicing, thou didst endure the covering of thy precious and glorious head with coarse rags, as with a garment of royal purple.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
By thy divine instructions, O John, a poor man, and a homeless wanderer, hath revealed thy divine head to be an abundant treasure.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Forerunner, ever pray that the city of Jerusalem which honoreth thee be illumined with the radiance of the divine Spirit, and that it rejoice with the incorporeal ones in thy divine memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Eating hath shown me to be a dead plant, O most pure one, but the Tree of Life Who revealed Himself through thee, hath raised me up and made me an heir to the nourishment of paradise.
Ode V, Irmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, * the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, * that they may know Thee, O Word of God, * as the true God, * Who recalleth us from the darkness of sin.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
O Baptist, thou wast not a reed shaken by the trying winds of enmity, but an unshakable pillar for the people of God; for thou didst manifest thyself by the power of Elijah and the Spirit.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
He that rejected the Godhead and belittled the glory of Christ, Who was baptized of thee, concealing thy divine grace, is rightly kept from the fold of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast opened up the portal of a bountiful and divine wellspring which poureth forth the waters of divine grace upon those who with love hymn thee, O glorious Forerunner, gladdening all with the streams of healing.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Bearing the noetic beauty of thy soul thou didst become the Bride of God, sealed in thy virginity, O pure one, enlightening the world with the radiance of purity.
Ode VI, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, * I run to Thy calm haven, and cry to Thee: * Raise up my life from corruption, * O greatly Merciful One.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Christ called thee a true prophet, and the most exalted of the prophets, the Baptist and Forerunner of Life; for thou didst behold Him Whom the Law and the prophets foretold.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The fountain of miracles, the treasury of grace, thy sacred head, O Baptist, Prophet and Forerunner, could not bear to be concealed, and, having revealed itself, it poured forth springs of healing.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Christ-loving and right glorious city hath set before itself thy precious and divine head, O Forerunner, as richly praiseworthy, and a radiantly adorned shield of salvation.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Moses, great among the prophets, prefigured thee in the ark, the table, the candlestick and the jar, signifying the incarnation of the Most High which took place through thee, O Virgin Mother.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone II: O prophet of God and Forerunner of grace, * having obtained thy head from the earth like a most sacred rose, * we ever receive healings, * for now, as of old, ** thou dost preach repentance in the world.
Ikos: Thou wast exalted above all mankind, O John, as the Lord Himself bore witness. Hence, I fear to offer thee hymns of praise; yet, inspired by love, I have made bold to begin a hymn. Wherefore, deem me not to be an unworthy helper, that I may crown thy holy head, O thrice blessed one; for thou hast preached repentance to the world.
Ode VII, Imos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children. * But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans * and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: * O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The Offspring of the Virgin called thee the greatest among those born of women, for thou didst live for Him on earth like an incorporeal one, an equal to the angels, crying out: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
From within the barren womb of thy mother, thou didst recognize Him Who had taken up His abode within the Virgin’s womb, O Forerunner; and, with the voice of thy mother, leaping up, thou didst cry out to Him: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Out of the wilderness thou didst appear like a radiant dawn, an angel of light, taught by the most holy Spirit, teaching us to cry out: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having acquired thee as a treasure, O ever-memorable one, this city is now truly blessed among all cities, O Forerunner of Christ. Wherefore, keeping festival it crieth aloud: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through thee, O Virgin Mother, a radiant Light hath shone forth upon the whole world, for thou didst give birth unto God, the Creator of all. Him do thou beseech, O most pure one, that He send down great mercy upon us, the faithful.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Thou didst make flame bedew the holy children, * and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. * For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest, * Thee do we supremely exalt throughout all ages.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The Forerunner was sent as the voice of the Son of God, crying out to barren hearts, making steadfast the pious faith in Him Who is God, Whom we supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Even now the Forerunner saith: Prepare ye the way of the Lord! For, having come for the sake of our sanctification, He maketh His abode in our hearts with the Father and the Spirit, throughout all ages.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
When the voice of the Father was heard, and the divine Spirit was seen by the eyes of man, John the Forerunner, laying his hand upon Thee, O Christ, became a God- bearer in every way.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast sanctified from the womb by the Spirit of God, and shown to be a prophet while yet carried in the womb; and now, thou hast been shown to be the delight of the city that seeketh thee in the bosom of the earth, O prophet.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The golden candlestick prefigured thee who hast ineffably received the unapproachable Light which illumineth mankind with the knowledge of Himself. Him do we supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God * upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze; * but through thee, O all-pure one, * did the Word Incarnate become a man * and with the Heavenly Hosts * Him we magnify and thee we call blessed.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Being clearly one who kept the Ten Commandments, O Forerunner, thou wast rightly honored by Christ with ten-fold gifts. Wherefore, knowing thee to be a friend of the Word, we bless thee as an initiate of the mysteries of the Spirit.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Thou wast revealed to be a prophet of Christ and an apostle, an angel and forerunner, the Baptizer of God Incarnate, a priest and faithful martyr, a preacher to those bound in Hades, a rule for virgins, and an offspring of the desert.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The unbelieving soul of the priest hath been reproved by the miracle of the withered hand; for when his faith blossomed anew after thy head appeared, O blessed one, his outstretched hand was renewed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The ranks of angels have truly proclaimed thy prophetic appearance to him who beheld thee, emulating the divine announcement of Gabriel which the sacred Zacharias received before thy birth.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us draw forth the healing of our passions, making haste to the glorious temple of the Forerunner; for choirs of angels, the souls of all the righteous, the Sovereign Lady and John the Baptist enter therein, bestowing healings.
Troparion, in Tone IV: The head of the Forerunner, which hath shone forth from the earth, * sheddeth rays of incorruption and healing upon the faithful. * Assembling a multitude of angels on High, * it calleth upon the human race below ** to send up glory with one voice to Christ God.
In the Liturgy and every service of the Church, we come to Church to talk: to talk to God, not to one another!
As soon as we enter the church, even if no prayers have started, we must be mindful that this place and this time are set aside for Him. They are holy to the Lord, and we must each struggle to protect that holiness. One of the major obstacles to this is habitual and needless talking and chatter.
Rather than chatting before the Liturgy in church, let us keep silence and join ourselves to the praying of the Hours with heart and mind, standing before the Lord with humility and the fear of God.
If someone we know comes and stands by us, let us be glad and joyful, but let the verbal or physical greeting wait until an appropriate time, not during prayers.
When we are waiting to commune, we do not talk in the queue, but stand in silent submission, with our arms folded – mindful of the wonder of Christ’s mercy in coming to us, despite our unworthiness and faults.
If we have communed, when we go for zapivka or stand at the front of the church before the moving of the Holy Gifts to the preparation table, we do not chatter or socialise, but rather contemplate that not only has God revealed Himself to us, but that Christ our God has entered into the very temples of our bodies, silently mindful that we have become living tabernacles of His Presence.
In the Tabernacle and the first Temple, the Ark of the Covenant only contained the manna from heaven, but when we commune, we contain the Bread of Heaven, Christ Himself. He is within us!
Even if we have not communed, we still silently honour the Lord’s self-giving and self-emptying love expressed in His Presence in the Holy Gifts, and – neither sitting nor talking – we are silently mindful that Christ our King and God is in our midst, as we stand before Him.
During the Thanksgiving Prayers, unless we are reading on the kliros, we remain in silence – mindful of our debt to the living and loving Lord for giving Himself to us, to cleanse us, heal us, and vivify us. This too is not a time for talking even if we have not received the Holy Gifts. The Church is still praying, and the Church is giving thanks for the wonder of the Liturgy and the Holy Mysteries – the great token of God’s inexhaustible love for the Church and every soul within it.
We are all stewards of the Divine Liturgy, and we must all work together to preserve its holiness and ‘otherness’, in which we have put aside all earthly cares, so that we may receive the King of all, invisibly escorted by the ranks of angels.
So… do not be shy in Liturgy. If people are talking whilst the Church is praying, turn to them and politely signal for them to be quiet. If necessary, quietly ask them to stop talking. If they persist, please approach the starosta/church-warden.
In Liturgy, we talk to God, not to one another. There is ample chance for that once Liturgy has finished.
When trapeza is blessed, this is the time for friendly, warm conversation; for greeting one another; for welcoming new faces; for catching up and socialising – and this is a blessed and cherished opportunity to enjoy one another’s company, having dedicated our words and voices during the Liturgy to God.
Thank you to all who supported Sunday’s celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, with our joyful Liturgy and moleben. It was a wonderful celebration of the Faith.
I am happy that Sister Anna has agreed to the use of the chapel for a Lenten service at 18:00 each Thursday, following confessions. We will gather again this week, and for evening prayers with the canon/akathist of repentance. May I ask those wishing to make their confession to email me by noon on Wednesday, indicating whether staying for the service as well.
Deacon Mark and I will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy in Cheltenham on Saturday, with our service at Prestbury United Reformed Church commencing with the Hours at 10:00, followed by the Liturgy at 10:30 and a panikhida for the Memorial Saturday.
Deacon Mark and I will return home via Nazareth House to set up for Sunday, and confessions may also be heard at 18:00, for those unable to confess on Thursday.
Without wishing to sound like a school-master, may I reinforce what was said after Liturgy?
There should be NO casual conversation or unnecessary talking during services, and it is not appropriate to go and verbally greet or chat with friends at this time. We can smile, nod and mouth a hello and enjoy the ample chance to catch up after the service.
As soon as the blessing has been pronounced for the Hours, this is liturgical time and the prayer of the Church, not free time for conversations or even private prayers and devotions.
The same goes for the thanksgiving prayers after Liturgy. Despite what was said at the end of Sunday’s service, there were still those who chatted audibly during those prayers.
There should most definitely be no talking during Holy Communion, let alone sitting down to chat. Unless age or health deems it necessary, we do not sit in the Lord’s Presence in the Holy Gifts!
We need to be careful that we do not adopt a casual attitude to being in church, but need to be mindful that even though Nazareth House is not an Orthodox temple, it nevertheless becomes the sacred-place in which the Lord comes to give Himself to us in the Holy Mysteries, where the Church offers the greatest sacrifice of prayer and praise to the Lord in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
We wish our services to be prayerful, and without unnecessary noise, movement or distraction, so let us all work together to ensure this.
Looking forward to next Sunday, we will be celebrating the Sunday of St Gregory Palamas, and the variables may be found at –
We were blessed with a triumphant celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy in Cardiff, yesterday, and affirmed the fullness and glory of the Orthodox Christian Faith and our obedience to the Sacred Tradition of the Church: an inheritance not of our making, but the deposit of Faith handed down to us by our pious and God-fearing forebears, for us to hand on to the next generation represented by the children and young people of our parish. We know this not to be the case in some places, and this is first hand knowledge given the parishioners who have taken refuge in our parish because of the renovationism, modernism and liberalism they have encountered elsewhere.
Some of those who have joined the parish, despite living far away, have made this clear in conversation over the last few days. However, this is not an occasion to gloat and feel pleased with ourselves, as though we are somehow superior. Our tenacious defence of Othodox dogma and tradition is what the Church demands of us, simply as Orthodox Christians – and from all Orthodox Christians.
Every Orthodox parish – as indeed every diocese and patriarchate – should be an ark of refuge and salvation, as the local manifestation of Christ’s Church, preserving and defending her Faith and sacred Tradition.
It is precisely on account of the swelling tide of schism, heresy and persecution confronting the Church in our present sorrowful times that our Ruling Hierarch wished the faithful to be strengthened and confirmed in the fullness of the Church’s teaching by the solemnity our moleben on the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy – a radiant feast even in these early days of the Great Fast. So, a solemn and comprehensive order of service was blessed for parish use, lacking only the anathemas pronounced by our bishops and some other episcopal parts.
With the addition of the icons the faithful had brought to hold during the service, candles burning before the icons on the high windowsills and additional icons on the shrines that form our temporary ikonostas, their importance in our celebration as a sign of Orthodoxy was clear, and it was a joy to look out from the sanctuary and see parishioners bearing the sacred images of the saints as we started our moleben.
In the Great Litany, our deacons asked the Lord to “look upon His holy Church with a merciful eye, and preserve her safe and unconquered by heresies and superstitions, and keep her in His peace”; to “calm dissensions within her, and by the power of the Holy Spirit convert to a knowledge of the truth all who have apostatised and join them to His chosen flock”; and to “enlighten the minds of those darkened by unbelief with the light of His divine wisdom, and strengthen His faithful and preserve them steadfast in Orthodoxy.”
After the symbol of Faith – the Creed – our deacons solemnly intoned:
“This is the Apostolic Faith!
This is the Faith of the Fathers!
This is the Orthodox Faith!
This Faith confirmeth the universe.”
Commemorating the Holy Equals of the Apostles the Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena, the pious sovereigns of Byzantium, Kieven Rus’ and Russia who defended and upheld the Faith, and the great saints and wonder-workers who struggled in holiness, we chanted Vechnaya pamiat’ / Eternal memory again and again, recognising the debt that we owe to them for the preservation and defence of the Orthodox Faith; for teaching and upholding Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic dogmas; for their steadfastness suffering and endurance in defending the Faith against heresy and schism.
Among the great names, we heard mention of Athanasius the Great; the great ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria; Leo the Great and Flavian the Confessor; the Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils; Maximus the Confessor; Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople; Theodore the Studite; and the Holy Hierarch Mark, Metropolitan of Ephesus.
After the names of the Holy Equals of the Apostles, the Great Prince Vladimir and Great Princess Olga, we responded to the commemorations of the Great Princes Yaroslav the Wise, Vladimir Monomakh, Alexander Nevsky and Dimitry Donskoy; the first Romanov Tsar, Michael Feodorovich; the martyred Tsar Alexander II; Tsar Alexander III; the Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II and the martyred Imperial Family; also the martyred King Alexander of Serbia. For them all, we prayed “Memory eternal!”
Then, having commemorated the departed Patriarchs of the ancient Orthodox Patriarchates, we remembered Patriarchs of Rus’ and Serbia, New-Martyrs and Confessors and finally the First-Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the past hierarchs of our diocese of Western Europe and those who ruled the British Diocese when it was a separate eparchy: Archbishop Nikodem, Bishop Nikolai and Bishop Konstantin, of blessed memory.
Completing the commemoration of the departed, our hierodeacon prayed,
“To those who suffered and were slain in various ways for the Orthodox Faith and Fatherland: princes, nobles, and Christian forces, and all Orthodox Christians who have piously reposed in true Faith and in the hope of resurrection unto everlasting life: Memory eternal!”
Our deacons then led our prayers for the living – for the Patriarch and Hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, for all patriarchs “who stand fast in God’s righteousness, rightly defining the word of truth”, for right-believing hierarchs, for the members of the Imperial House and Orthodox Royal houses, for the Orthodox faithful of the lands of Rus’ and of our God preserved diocese. After each petition the choir and faithful joyfully and enthusiastically chanted “Mnogaya leta!”
Ending with the Te Deum, the moleben was a very special combination of prayer for those who departed into error, and a celebration of the Orthodox Faith and those who have defended it and preserved it.
It was a joyful and festal Triumph of Orthodoxy, strengthening us and encouraging us at the end of the first week of the Fast.
What a contrast to the previous Sunday, when we chanted the stikhira of repentance, prostrating in the Rite of Forgiveness.
Our profound thanks go to all who contributed to our wonderful celebration, especially our choir, who laboured hard, and to our hierodeacon and deacon who were so central to the liturgical rites of the day.
To all Orthodox archpastors and sovereigns, our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, who have departed this life, defending and preserving the Faith: memory eternal!
To our archpastors and pastors, those who struggle in the monastic-life and all of the pious faithful, steadfast in the Faith: many years!
I pray that the festive joy of the Triumph of Orthodoxy may strengthen us and encourage us in our parish life, and as individuals during this season of the Fast.
What joy this first week of the Fast brings, especially when we are blessed with spring weather that outwardly reminds us that this is the springtime of the soul, and should be a season of growth and new green shoots, through fasting, prayer and repentance; through turning back to God; through heeding the words of the kontakion of the Great Canon and simply waking up, being watchful and mindful of the inescapable and abiding presence of Christ: at all times; in all places; in every circumstance; seeing all actions; hearing every word; knowing every thought.
“My soul, my soul arise; Why art thou sleeping? The end is drawing near and thou wilt be confounded. Awake then and be watchful, that thou mayest be spared by Christ God, Who is everywhere present and fillest all things.”
In these first four days of the Great Fast, we are blessed to hear the words of St Andrew of Crete’s Great Canon of Repentance, making this hymnographic dialogue between St Andrew and his soul our personal inner-conversation, as we contemplate sin and repentance, fall and restoration, exile and return.
Despite some of the Old Testament examples, the purpose of this great hymn-cycle is not to plunge us into gloom, but rather to show us the ‘way back’ the means of restoration to a life in God.
Together with the life of St Mary of Egypt (whose intercessions are invoked during the odes of the canon), the Great Canon is held up as a great penitential lesson and example of ‘putting things right’ in this season of repentance. It is a call to action – to turn around and return to the loving embrace of God, in humility and repentance, but nevertheless with hope and joy.
As such, it should kindle determination in us, so that the myriad Biblical examples within its odes and troparia encourage us to press forward, so that cleansed from stain and the tarnishing blackness of sin and disobedience, the image of God may be restored in us, who are each icons of Christ, into whom we have been baptised, Who created us in the divine-image and likeness, and Who seeks the return of the prodigal again and again in His inexhaustible mercy and love.
When we can recall this awesome fact, then we can appreciate why we celebrate the restoration of the holy icons with the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy on the first Sunday of the fast.
As we celebrate this triumph, let us never lose sight of the fact that our personal triumph is the restoration of the icon of God in each of us, as we labour to put off the old man and put on Christ, though the spiritual labour of our life in Him.
Last Sunday, at the end of Forgiveness Vespers and the beginning of the Fast, we bowed before one another as we sought forgiveness and reassured with the words “God forgives”, and on this coming Sunday it will be the icons before which we shall bow during the Service of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, thanking God for the restoration of the holy icons as the sign of the Incarnation and manifestation of our Holy Orthodox Faith. However, we must each face the fact that this veneration will be meaningless unless we are actively seeking the restoration of the image of God in ourselves.
The iconoclasts defiled and desecrated the sacred images in shocking ways, just as the iconoclast Soviets did in the 20th century, and we react with horror and revulsion at what was done to the icons of Christ, of the Mother of God and the saints. Yet, do we react with equal horror and revulsion to the things by which WE defile and desecrate the image of God in each of us?
In the canon, we chant, “I have stained the garment of my flesh and have defiled that which was made in Thine image and likeness, O Saviour.” However, this observation is meaningless unless we are willing to do anything about it and seek the restoration of this image and likeness.
Let us heed the penitential lessons of the Great Canon, of the life of St Mary of Egypt, of the various Sunday feasts of the Great Fast with their hymns of compunction and repentance, and let us reflect the outward Restoration of the Holy Icons in the inner struggle for the image of God to be restored in us, to shine and become radiant, so that Christ may shine upon the world through us as His abiding presence in the world and icons of His goodness and love.
What an incredible weekend we had Cardiff, with our pilgrimage to Llandaff, in honour of St Teilo and our services for Forgiveness Sunday.
After a week in Walsingham, I was rather tired, but the combination of prayer and fellowship over the weekend certainly put a fresh spring in my step, before the dozens of prostrations during the rite of forgiveness put pay to any bounce and flexibility.
As I have already written, the warmth of our welcome in Llandaff Cathedral was wonderful, and the Dean’s love and devotion to St Teilo over-flowed in his encouragement for us to always feel at home in the cathedral and before the saint’s relics. Father Richard stayed with us for the moleben, and kindly explained some of the cathedral’s history to the faithful before we retired to lunch – greatly enjoying time together over a meal.
Our services for Forgiveness Sunday were very well attended, though not everyone was able to stay for vespers, after refreshments. We were very happy to have the new student-visitors return, and see their commitment to exploring Orthodoxy and being part of our worshipping community. I know that they had a good chat with our parish elders and with some of the other students and young people. This is where the warmth and serious stewardship in our community is so important.
The end of vespers, of course, brought the Rite of Forgiveness, and the number of worshippers became obvious when the growing line of the faithful stretched from the solea, all along one side of the convent church and round the corner to the confession boxes. As always, on this Sunday, it was a joy to quietly sing Paschal hymns, with the members of the kliros joining me as the mutual forgiveness and many prostrations were completed.
I will not be in Cardiff until Thursday, when I will hear confessions in the late afternoon, before the chanting of the Great Canon of Repentance in the convent church at 18:00. May I ask for confessions requests as soon as possible, and not later than midday on Wednesday.
There will be nightly services in the chapel of St David and St Nicholas, where the Great Canon will be chanted from Monday to Thursday), and compline with the akathist-hymn to the Mother of God on Friday. Address: 11 New Rd, Dafen, Llanelli, Carms SA14 8LS.
Looking forward to celebrating the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the Restoration of the Holy Icons, may I encourage parishioners to bring icons to church, so that they may be placed on the capacious window sills around the building. Following, the Liturgy of St Basil, we will offer a moleben for those who have fallen into error.
Obviously, food for refreshments after our services must be lenten/postny. No shellfish please!
Our next parish pilgrimage will be to Capel-y-ffin, where we will offer the Divine Liturgy in honour of St David, meeting at 10:30 and aiming to begin the Hours and Liturgy at 11:00. We will have a pew-picnic after Liturgy and Fr Richard Williams has invited us to visit St Mary’s in Hay-on-Wye (bookshops and tea!!!) afterwards. Anyone interested, should contact Tracy: t_sbrain@icloud.com
Our senior-sister, Menna, would like to remind you all, that there is a very active and vibrant parish WhatsApp group, where parishioners can share news and prayer requests, discuss Orthodox matters, view spiritual and pastoral articles, and generally share aspects of parish-life. Anyone wishing to join should contact her or Deacon Mark.
Equally, anyone wishing to be added to the mailing list should speak to one of the clergy or parish officers who will be glad to add you to the list so that parish circulars are received. I would like to encourage parishioners to read the news and announcements sent out, as it is obvious that some people are missing news and announcements that have been sitting in their inbox.
Wishing you a good start to the Great Fast, with the hope that as many parishioners as possible will pray the Great Canon each evening.
Our busy weekend continued with our celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Nazareth House, and we were very pleased that our kliros was well provided with singers, making for strong and confident singing. Together with the continued blessing of double-deacons, this made for a splendid Liturgy and I greatly appreciate having two deacons with whom to concelebrate and share the Holy Mysteries.
Though we were a little thin on the ground due to half-term, we were very happy to have four new students visiting and experiencing their first Orthodox service, and were able to chat after the service.
After refreshments to break to our fast, we held our AGM, with reports from the clergy and treasurer. Among the topics discussed were the provision of resources and information for visitors and those exploring Orthodoxy, the availability of printouts of the creed and Lord’s Prayer for visitors, developing pilgrimage and reflecting our local culture in parish life – including use of Welsh in the Liturgy. With our bishop having blessed a parish brotherhood, we also touched and the need to invigorate our parish sisterhood, noting that it is not simply our catering department.
As announced at the Liturgy, I will be serving in Walsingham this week, travelling with Norman and Georgina tomorrow. We look forward to the joy of being with our friends there, especially Mother Melangell, whom we have known for many years. Our Liturgy will be blessed by the presence of Father Mark Tattum-Smith from Mettingham, with whom I will concelebrate as a priest for the first time, and with whom we will be discussing local devotions and promoting ROCOR pilgrimage to Walsingham – with our diocesan connections going back to the very first days of the shrine church. We look forward to the development of local Orthodox Walsingham cells.
Whilst I will obviously be contactable in emergencies, may I remind you that Norfolk is a very long way away, and any interactive pastoral needs need to be directed to Fr Deacon Mark. So that he is able to arrange any provision of support.
However, we will be VERY pleased for us to email us with requests for intercessions and intentions: otetzmark@hotmail.com
We will return on Friday, in time for our pilgrimage to Llandaff cathedral on Saturday, where we will celebrate our moleben to St Teilo at 10:00. After our service and time around the cathedral, we will enjoy the hospitality of the Maltster’s Arms for drinks and lunch at midday.
Just to remind you that we are in the eve of Cheese-Fare week and that meat should be consumed by tonight, though fish will be permitted throughout next week. As Orthodox maximalists, we refute the idea of pancake day… but rather enjoy a whole week. So… enjoy!
The first opportunity to hear confessions will be in Nazareth House on Saturday, after our ‘pilgrim lunch’, and I would like those wishing to confess to email me by 16:00 on Thursday to allow me to email as we will be travelling for much of Friday.
Sunday will be Forgiveness Sunday, and we will celebrate the Vespers of Forgiveness after Liturgy, marking the liturgical beginning of the Great Fast.
Please make the most of the week and get ready for the Fast – in terms of food, prayer and reading.
Looking forward to the Fast, it is our hope that by finding twenty readers to commit to reading a kathisma of the Psalter each day, it may be read every day until the eve of Lazarus Saturday. We really need commitment to this rather than people wanting to join in for a week or two, so if you would like to participate in this spiritual offering, as an act of intercession for our parish, please email psaltergroup@fastmail.com for further information.
Ode I, Irmos: With an upraised arm Christ drowned the chariots of Pharaoh and his power, and saved Israel, who sent up the hymn: Let us sing unto our wondrous God!
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is precisely on account of the swelling tide of schism, heresy and persecution confronting the Church in our present sorrowful times that our Ruling Hierarch wished the faithful to be strengthened and confirmed in the fullness of the Church’s teaching by the solemnity our moleben on the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy – a radiant feast even in these early days of the Great Fast. So, a solemn and comprehensive order of service was blessed for parish use, lacking only the anathemas pronounced by our bishops and some other episcopal parts.
Dear brothers and sisters,