Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings for the forefeast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the feast of the repose of our dearly loved St Seraphim of Sarov! It is always so heartening when we celebrate a saint who is so universally loved, especially in such fractious and divisive times. May he pray for us, and for true Orthodox unity in the face of schism and such betrayal of Faith.

This weekend’s services saw the leave-taking of the feast of the Nativity, with the Divine Liturgy being celebrated in Cheltenham, and the feast of the Circumcision and St Basil in Cardiff. It was a very joyful weekend, though much quieter than last weekend, with our Nativity services.

We were very glad to arrive in Cheltenham in bright winter sun, and under the now expected blue skies, sharing a joyful Liturgy for the Leave-Taking of the Nativity, with Masha visiting and helping to sing the festal chants.

We thank her and our usual singers for their labours on the kliros, and we are very grateful to our sisters for a generous meal, enjoyed by all. It was lovely to have Cardiff parishioners join us, as well as brothers from the Oxford parish. I am extremely happy that the next Cheltenham Liturgy, on Saturday 10^th February, will be on the feast of Saints Ephrem and Isaac the Syrian, a double-joy and double-blessing!

Our Cardiff Liturgy today was a little different to usual, with three principal singers away, but it was good that our very capable Hierodeacon Avraamy and Marina were joined by some of our sisters, and that our brother, Alexander, was able to move from the sanctuary to the kliros to rouse the Liturgy with Byzantine chant. We look forward to more Byzantine chant in our services, after the joy of the polyeleos at our Nativity vigil and today’s Liturgy chants.

With Christmas behind us, today’s feast and joyful celebration stood between the Nativity and Forefeast of Theophany, and it was lovely that we were able to bless Vasilopita in honour of St Basil the Great at the end of Liturgy, and to see the pleasure that the shared cakes brought to our congregation. With the prayers for the Lord to bless our ‘comings in’ and ‘goings out’, this seemed very apt, as we prepare for our return to St John’s.

Sadly Thursday morning activities in the chapel at Nazareth House make the usual services for the eve of the Theophany impractical, though I will hear confessions in the afternoon, before my journey to London. Please email me by 18:00, on Wednesday.

The coming weekend will see our last Liturgy in Nazareth House, and we will perform the Great Blessing of Water at the end of Liturgy, so please bring bottles to take Theophany water home, and send any requests for houses of flats to be blessed.

Following the service and packing ready for our move to St John’s, I will be heading to Wiltshire for a few days, where our new Wessex mission will hold its first prayer meeting and where I will bless the River Wylye and the homes of some of our parishioners in both Wiltshire and Dorset, hoping also to visit St Wite’s shrine with parish pilgrims.

After returning on Tuesday and Wednesday’s move, I look forward to Theophany home-blessings in Cardiff.

On behalf of the clergy, may I extend thanks for the generosity and kindnesses shown to us over the festive period.

May God bless you all.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

I hope that those of you sharing western Christmas with your families have a been blessed with a time of sharing and joy.

Though the festivities may last for a day or two more, it is important for us to focus on the remaining week and half of the Nativity Fast, preparing for the coming feast prayerfully and with spiritual focus.

Given it was western Christmas Eve, we expected our Sunday Liturgy to be low in attendance, but we were surprised by the number of people who made their way to Nazareth House, and we were pleased to welcome new visitors. We were relieved that Mass ended earlier than usual, allowing more time to set up the church. Thanks to all who helped with this, and we are – as always – grateful for those who played their part in the celebration of the Liturgy.

The Sunday of the Holy Forefathers reminded us that we are in the last two weeks of the Fast, and the coming weekend – with the Sunday of the Holy Fathers – will be our last before Nativity, marked by the reading of the genealogy of Christ, when we will hear the generations through which Christ came in the flesh: the generations through which God descended to humanity, and humanity was raised up to heaven.

The variables for next Sunday’s Liturgy may be found at orthodoxaustin, as usual:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o6DSbO4bxCMTGZmWcycUANl7L-tdZkzy/view

Confessions will be on Thursday, so I would appreciate emails/texts/messages by 19:00 tomorrow evening to allow time to get in touch with those who would like to attend. Please remember that there are some parishioners who are unable to come for confession in the week, and really need time on Sunday.

The following weekend, our service on Christmas Eve will be at 19:00, possibly simplified due to us having limited singers, and the Christmas Day Liturgy at our usual Sunday time – starting as close to. 11:00 as possible.

Our sisters have started discussing food for Christmas trapeza, and I would direct you all to the WhatsApp group, where discussions are going on, though our senior-sister Menna can also be contacted regarding food you may wish to bring. Let’s remember that Christmas refreshments are not only the responsibility of our sisters, and that we ask all to try and make an offering in some way.

This Saturday will bring the joy of Stephen’s baptism at 13:00, at the Old Church Hall in St Nicholas.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact me or Menna, so that we know that you are coming, and give directions, if needed We greatly look forward to this and welcoming Stephen to the Holy Mysteries on Sunday morning. Glory to God for all things!

Struggle on during the remaining days of the Fast, and if things have previously not gone according to plan, shake off the dust and pick yourselves up. If you’ve not prayed much, then start NOW. If you’ve neglected the Fast, them start NOW, even at the eleventh hour – remembering the encouraging words in St John Chrysostom’s wonderful homily that we hear at Pascha.

It applies equally to the coming feast, and to the whole of our Christian lives!

“For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first. He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour in the same was as him who has laboured from the first. He accepts the deed, and commends the intention. Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord. First and last, receive alike your reward.”

Let us spiritually make our way to Bethlehem, to contemplate the wonder of Love-Incarnate: Emmanuel – God With Us.

May God bless you all.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings for the feast of St Nicholas the Wonderworker! S prazdnikom! We especially send our warmest greetings to Kolya and to Olga’s son Nicholas, who has just graduated.

Though the Nativity is still a while away for us, the holiday season has certainly arrived, with our students having departed at the end of term and parishioners going to Russia, Ukraine and other destinations for the feast. This evening, carols and mince-pies in Splott brought a pre-festive reminder with the words and melodies that many of us knew growing up, shaping our childhood images and language of Christmas.

We also enjoyed listening to some traditional carols at Wednesday’s charity concert for Christians in the Holy Land, with the money raised following a Sunday collection of over £450 in Cardiff, a Llanelli collection, and several more personal donations. Many thanks to Masha, Edmund and Aldhelm, to all who supported the event, and those who have given with such generosity. It was lovely to be in a warm, candlelit St John’s, the parish not having used the church since Pascha.

Though I expected Sunday’s Liturgy to be thinly attended, we still mustered more than forty souls, with the possibility of confessing all who needed to approach the Holy Mystery, some of those having confessed outside the Little Oratory. We were pleased to welcome visitors for the first time, and hope that they will join us again for Liturgy soon, and perhaps join us in the cafe for a cuppa after we have packed away.

At the end of the Liturgy, the litia for the departed was offered for the repose of the souls of the newly departed handmaidens of God, Nadezhda, Galina and Viera, whom we ask you to remember in your prayers.

As already communicated, we are now unable to have confessions during mass – something that only became necessary due to changes in Nazareth House, but as guests we must ensure that there are no distractions during catholic services. With this in mind, for as long as we continue to celebrate Liturgy in Nazareth House, worshippers should try not to arrive before 10:45, unless instructed otherwise.

I received no answer from Nazareth House regarding this week’s confessions (as also to the matter of the Christmas Vigil), so through the good offices of the Oratorian Fathers, confessions will be heard in St Alban on the Moors on Thursday. Please email by Wednesday at 18:00 to make arrangements. I hope that will shall offer devotions to St Alban whilst we are there. It was a great joy to catch up with the Fathers this evening, and they reminded us that the Oratory Church is always there for our needs.

We look forward being together on Sunday, when we will celebrate the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, and the variables may be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PaTtqf89_PFAFe-ifSzoVL4IwBw2jpxK/view

It will be a great help to know who will need confessions, so please let me know.

We ask your prayers for the sick – Ludmilla, Brigid and Margarita.

Finally, Sunday brought a surprise to those in the congregation who were unaware that the Paddy who had died in the city centre, was NOT the Paddy who had become a friend of our parish whilst in Canton. His presence at Liturgy was a shock to some of our parishioners, and I was happy that we were able to chant many years for him, as well as for Andrew, who celebrated his nameday last week.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

After the forbidding weather of the last few days, I’m very happy for a sunny (and smooth) journey back to Wales from a visit to Cheltenham, for the funeral of the newly-departed handmaiden of God, Galina, asking your prayers for the repose of her soul: memory eternal!      

After a quieter week than usual, Deacon Mark and I were, of course, in Cheltenham on Saturday as well, celebrating the December Liturgy for our mission.

We were pleased to welcome visitors from Oxford, and despite extremely unpleasant driving conditions between Llanelli and Cardiff, we were blessed with our usual Cheltenham weather, with the sun coming out during confessions and filling the chapel with sunlight. By the time we left, the sun and primulas outside the chapel made it feel more like spring than winter. Thanks to mama Galina and mama Liuba for taking the reins and overseeing things in Natalya’s absence. Our next Cheltenham Liturgy will be on the Sunday after Nativity: 13 January, new-style.

The weather certainly impacted upon Cardiff attendance on Sunday, with a smaller than usual congregation of around thirty adults. With the last university lectures of the term this week, our students will be leaving for the Christmas vacation, so things will be quiet in the weeks ahead. I have greatly enjoyed spending time with the students and young people over the current term, and hearing their discussion on theology, history, the arts, culture and politics has been an antidote to the consumerist-mindlessness of much of the world around us. We pray for safe journeys for them – as well as parishioners from eastern Europe – as they rejoin family, both a home and abroad. May God bless them, and the holy angels guard them and guide their steps.

Sunday brought the contrast of our Cheltenham Liturgy in our very humble non-conformist setting with Nazareth House, in which our depleted congregation on such a windy and rainy day seemed somewhat swamped in the vastness of the chapel.

Our choir was also reduced, but what particularly struck me was how a quartet singing with confidence and focus can lead the Liturgy so effectively. In the absence of our usual basses, Hierodeacon Avraamy moved to the choir, which always sings with great confidence when he moves from the sanctuary to the kliros. Thank you, Father, and thanks to Olga for her direction of the choir during such a lovely Liturgy for the feast of the Kursk-Root Icon.

It was good to hear from Marina about the shipments of blankets, bedding and clothes to Ukraine, with the hope that the next collection will start being arranged after Nativity, when I hope that we will be able to contribute towards the costs of transportation as well as much needed donations.

On Wednesday (13th December), Masha will sing in a charity concert in St John’s Church, Canton, CF5 1NX at 19:30, with accompaniment by Edmund and an original piece for organ and electronics by Aldhelm, our Royal College master’s composition student. Money raised by charitable giving will be used for the support and relief of our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Israel’s West Bank and Gaza. Please endeavour to bring a friend and show your appreciation for the musical offerings in the evening’s collection.

As I have made known, during this period of rail disruption and overcrowded trains I will be limiting my journeys, and will be in Cardiff on Wednesday and Thursday, this week, with the availability of confessions on Thursday after the catholic morning mass, and in the afternoon and early evening. Please email requests by Thursday. As on the last two Thursdays, an Advent Moleben will be chanted at 16:00. As many of you will be in St John’s for Wednesday’s Concert, I will also be happy to hear some confessions there, if it helps.

Given the severe overcrowding of trains on Saturdays at this time of year, invariably resulting in a ninety minute homebound journey standing up – often with inebriated and anti-social company – I will not be in Cardiff on any of the remaining Saturdays in December – though we look forward to Steve’s baptism in St Nicholas on Saturday 30^th!

Our remaining December dates follow:

Wednesday 13^th December: 19:30 – Holy Land Charity Concert, St John’s Church, Canton, CF5 1NX. Confessions in St John’s by arrangement.

Thursday 14^th December: 16:00 – Advent Moleben. Confessions will be heard before and after service.

Sunday 17^th December: 11:00 Hours and Liturgy in Nazareth House, Cardiff. Confessions from 10:15.

Monday 18^th December: Great Vespers for the Eve of St Nicholas Day, Nazareth House, Cardiff.

Tuesday 19^th December: 10:00 Hours and Liturgy for St Nicholas Day, Llanelli.

Wednesday 20^th December: 19:00 Compline in Llanelli.

Thursday 21 December: 16:00, Vespers for the Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos, Nazareth House, Cardiff. Confessions will be heard before and after the service.

Sunday 24^th December: 11:00 Hours and Liturgy in Nazareth House, Cardiff. Confessions from 10:15.

Friday 29^th December: 16:00 – Advent Moleben, Nazareth House, Cardiff. Confessions will be heard before and after service.

Saturday 30^th December: Steve’s baptism in St Nicholas in the Vale. Details from clergy.

Sunday 31^st  December: 11:00 Hours and Liturgy in Nazareth House, Cardiff. Confessions from 10:15.

May God bless you all, and give you strength as we continue our preparation for the Nativity, during this Advent Fast.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today saw the celebration of the first Sunday of the Nativity Fast in Nazareth House, and we were relieved that we had fifteen minutes more than usual to set up for Liturgy – not much it may seem, but a significant help for us. I was happy that though today saw a fair few parishioners with commitments or circumstances keeping them away from Cardiff, we still mustered a goodly sized congregation for the beginning of Advent.

We were glad to have Hierodeacon Avraamy back with us, after being in Florence and only arriving home in Swansea in the early hours of last Sunday morning. We are very fortunate in having two deacons for Liturgy, and the solemnity that their concelebration adds to our services.

Thanks to all who contributed to today’s celebration, especially our servers, who though only two in number did so much, especially with the tidying up and packing away of the church.

It was lovely to see such sociable post-Liturgy fellowship as eighteen of us relaxed in our local café, with the clergy and students being the last to make their way home after animated conversation.

I neglected to announce that tomorrow’s Liturgy for the feast of the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple will be in Llanelli, with the Hours at 10:00 and the Liturgy at 10:30.

At least one person has understandably asked why there would not be a Liturgy in Cardiff in the morning, and that is due to a few reasons and not a casual decision.

With the parish lacking clergy-accommodation in Cardiff, it is not always possible to stay in town, and – as mentioned in the announcements – the present industrial action already has a major impact on travel from Llanelli to Cardiff. I spent ninety minutes standing and squashed in a corner on extremely crowded trains yesterday, after and before  three mile walks at either end of the journey. As some of our parishioners know, trains are constantly cancelled or late, making the those that are running extremely overcrowded, and every journey a gamble.

Each Liturgy requires the church to be set up after the end of Catholic masses of various and unpredictable length, someone to sing the Liturgy, and then for everything to be put away again. Without a guarantee that this support can be provided, Liturgy is Cardiff will not be practicable and our weekday Liturgies will be in Llanelli when there is no assistance for me in Nazareth House.

Such decisions are not taken casually, and I would ideally wish to see every festal Liturgy in Nazareth House, not to mention the celebration of Saturday Liturgies, but for this to happen, we need guaranteed support.

Given this weekend’s Saturday mission Liturgy in Cheltenham, I will make Thursday the confession weekday, and will fit in with parishioners’ needs in the afternoon and evening, though there will be a pause in confessions to chant an Advent Moleben at 16:00, as was done last week. May I have confession requests by noon on Wednesday, please.

Confessions can also be heard at the time of setting up the church in Cardiff, but we would like requests, given that we will be doing so on the way back from Cheltenham.

Looking ahead, may I remind you that Monday 11^th December will see the Penarth Community Choir’s Christmas Concert, which our parishioner Marina (who sings in the Community Choir), hopes parishioners will be able to support. The performance will be in Tabernacle Baptist Church, Plassey St, Penarth CF64 1AE and starts at 19:00. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £4 for children.

Later in the week, Wednesday 13^th December sees the charity concert in St John’s Church, Canton, CF5 1NX at 19:30. Masha, Edmund and Aldhelm will perform to raise money for the support of our communities in Israel’s West Bank in this time of crisis and urgent need. There is no entry fee but there will be a retiring collection to raise money for this needy and worthy cause.

Finally – we have heard the sad news that Paddy, whom we first met at St John’s died last week. Few people understood that this homeless man was a man of faith, with a deep knowledge of the scriptures and lively trust in God. His cancer noticeably wasted him over the time in which we knew him, and during that time he never asked for anything material, though members of community tried to give a little financial assistance. He did, however, always ask to pray, and constantly gave thanks for life, despite being destitute, seriously ill with little hope of recovery, enduring homelessness to avoid the culture of drugs and alcohol in hostels.

After our return from St John’s, he was able to overcome his fears and visit us, having grown up as an abandoned child in Nazareth House. Having talked of moving to accommodation in Northampton to have a clean break from negative influences in Cardiff, we were unaware that he was even in the city, until hearing the sad news. Please remember him in your prayers. Memory eternal! May the Lord have mercy upon his soul, and remember him in His Kingdom.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

It seems a rather odd time at the moment, with family commitments, colds and viruses, and travels keeping parishioners away, and some of our brothers on pilgrimage, but parish life carries on regardless – whether services, study group, book-club, confessions, pastoral visits or social time.

Thanks to our choir and readers who sang so beautifully and prayerfully yesterday, with the use of both Church-Slavonic and English in the cherubic hymn being greatly appreciated. Thank you also to two of our youngest gentlemen, who despite being only teenagers were extremely industrious and instrumental in setting up the church in the absence of our usual helpers – moving and arranging furniture, lighting candles and lamps, and being a great help to Father Deacon Mark.

It was lovely to have so many children in church yesterday, and for them to commune of the Most Pure Mysteries, and we were able to welcome George back after his pilgrimage to the Bulgarian Athonite monastery of Zographou, to celebrate the dedication-feast of this house. Two of our brothers remain on the Holy Mountain and will be blessed to be part of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael in the monastery of Docheiariou, tomorrow. We were also pleased to have Mike back with us, after some weeks of ill-health.

Over the last few days, I have been especially pleased to visit the Cardiff Oratory, whose Fathers very much miss being alongside our Orthodox presence, and who were updated with news of parish life, reminding us that we are always welcome to visit the shrine containing a portion of St Alban’s relics and the icon of Saints Alban and Amphibalus, painted by Misha.

Until our return to Nazareth House, weekday confessions were heard in St Alban’s Church, and some our parishioners made a weekly visits to the shrine. I hope that this might return, with a book of Orthodox prayers and intercessions being left in the church for our parishioners to pray and use.

Advent draws near, with various pre-Christmas activities beginning to fill the gaps in our diaries, whether school, community or church events, and it is always too easy for our Orthodox Nativity Fast to be overshadowed or even dominated by these events and shopping for western Christmas celebrations with non-Orthodox family and friends.

The lack of an equivalent of the Lenten Triodion shaping prayer and services can make the Nativity Fast a little haphazard and lacking the direction and momentum of Great Lent. This is precisely why we need to plan and prepare.

Last year, I encouraged parishioners to intensify their Advent prayer-life by praying the canon for the saint of each day, and I will repost the canons again, this coming Nativity Fast, together with fasting rules each week.

We should all seek to make extra offerings in our spiritual life – not only in terms of prayer, but also in actions: charitable giving, finding time to help others, supporting those who need it – which is the cue to report that after an extremely successful collection and dispatch of fleece blankets to Ukraine, Marina is organising another blanket collection. So… the donation of new fleece blankets for the  winter will be greatly appreciated. Please bring any offerings to church.

Advent spiritual reading needs to be planned, with plenty of online resources available in addition to books – whether in printed or electronic form, but no matter how much or how little we be able to read in what may be busy and active lives, spiritual reading is important as an enriching and nourishing part of our Nativity Fast.

I hope that we may recommend books to one another on our WhatsApp pages or in the comments here, but I will start by recommending a few resources and classics known and already appreciated by some our parishioners.

As a prayer-resource, as plugged at our discussion on Friday evening, I wholeheartedly recommend the two volume Book of Akathists from Jordanville:

Volume I:

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Book-of-Akathists-Volume-I-by-Isaac-Lambertson/9780884650591

Volume II:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Akathists-II-Saviour-Various/dp/088465141X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27TJRA5KLVF2X&keywords=Book+of+Akathists&qid=1700489177&sprefix=book+of+akathists%2Caps%2C331&sr=8-1

The Spiritual Psalter, is an anthology of the writings St Ephraim the Syrian, and was compiled in the 19^thcentury by St Theophan the Recluse:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spiritual-Psalter-Reflections-God/dp/B0C2S22VK1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RRWVF069766F&keywords=Spiritual+psalter&qid=1700487058&sprefix=spiritual%2Caps%2C2864&sr=8-1

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, is an ancient collection of short maxims, to be read, digested and contemplated in prayer and quiet time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sayings-Desert-Fathers-Alphabetical-Collection/dp/0879079592/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2OFXOQYJNICTY&keywords=Saying+desert+fathers&qid=1700487173&sprefix=saying+desert+father%2Caps%2C596&sr=8-3

Valentine Zander’s Saint Seraphim of Sarov is an Orthodox classic…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saint-Seraphim-Sarov-Valentina-Zander/dp/0913836281/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1CLPO7H6512DP&keywords=Orthodox+saints&qid=1700488640&sprefix=orthodox+saints%2Caps%2C428&sr=8-4

… and I would recommend it, together with the volume of the Little Russian Philokalia containing teachings of St Seraphim.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Russian-Philokalia-Vol-Seraphim/dp/0938635301/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NEBHBU3W0649&keywords=Seraphim+sarov&qid=1700488931&sprefix=seraph%2Caps%2C3511&sr=8-3

Looking forward to the week ahead… I am greatly looking forward to our parish-pilgrimage to the Church of St Lazar, in Birmingham on Saturday (92 Griffins Brook Ln, Birmingham B30 1QG), where the Divine Liturgy will commence at 09:00. We are a little unclear about possible lifts for our students, though things will hopefully become clearer as the week progresses. After the Liturgy, we will pray before the Trojeručica (Three Handed) icon of the Mother of God – a copy of the original, in the Athonite monastery of Hilandar, visited by our brother, Alexander, yesterday!

This week, I will be free to hear confessions on Wednesday and Friday. The church will be in use from 18:00 on Wednesday, so any confessions after this time will be in the sacristy, requiring anyone confessing to wait outside for me to collect them. I am happy to hear confessions at times earlier than we generally start, knowing the duties that some of our parishioners have. Please, just ask. Obviously confessions for Wednesday need flagging asap, and Friday requests by noon on Wednesday, please. Please be mindful that long confessions are not practical on Sundays, though all if working well at the moment.

Though I will be in Cardiff this Wednesday, there will be the usual mid-week service each Wednesday evening in Llanelli, and will chant compline at 19:00 on Wednesday night in the chapel of St David and St Nicholas in Llanelli.

In our prayers, we continue to remember the newly-departed handmaids of God Nadezhda and Photina; Margarita, Ludmilla and Brigid, among those unwell; Olga and Andrew, Alexander and Aldhelm on their travels; and for Patrick’s impasse in moving house.

Asking your prayers.

May God bless you all.

In Christ – Fr Mark

Dear brothers and sisters, 

Greetings for the feast of the Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cosmas and Damian, a day for us to intensify our prayers for those sick or unwell in our community – especially for Ludmilla, Brigid (Mo), Andrew, Margarita and Mike.

I would usually be in Walsingham, this week, but with the tail-end of a throat infection and deafness in one ear, I remain in Llanelli.

We congratulate Norman John, for whom this feast is his ‘Orthodox’ birthday, having finally been united to the Church on this feast in Walsingham in 2020 after over a decade of lingering on the threshold and peaking over the wall!

Thank you to everyone in Cheltenham and Cardiff for their labours for Christ, in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in both places. I am particularly grateful to our young servers and the enthusiasm they show to serve in the altar. Even our little ones in Cheltenham were at my elbow for the proskomedia, absorbing what happens before Liturgy.

Despite a twenty minute late start for Sunday Liturgy, I was pleased that our celebration passed quite routinely and without any surprises – other than a rather reduced congregation.  

The windy and rainy weather, and rather dark day were dramatically different to our sunny Cheltenham on Saturday, and the cosiness of the church at Nazareth House offered quite a contrast to the world outside. Though the temperature often seems excessive, it was greatly appreciated, yesterday.  

On confession days, each week, we will chant vespers or a moleben in the afternoon – having chanted a moleben to Saints Demetrios and Nestor last week, and this week, confessions will be heard on Friday, both before and after the celebration of vespers at 16:00. 

As I have an early evening obligation on Saturday, vespers will be celebrated at the earlier time of 15:00, with time for confessions before the service. As usual I will hear confessions from 10:15 on Sunday morning. 

As announced, Saturday 25^th November, will see a parish pilgrimage to the beautiful Serbian Orthodox church of St Lazar in Bournville, Birmingham, which houses a wonder-working copy of the Trojeručica (Three Handed) icon of the Mother of God enshrined in the monastery of Hilandar, on Mount Athos. The Divine Liturgy commences at 09:00, and we will offer a moleben before the icon afterwards. 

Though I know that some of our students are keen to make this pilgrimage, as well as our own Serbian faithful and their usual companions, there have only been a few other declarations of interest. I would be grateful to know who would like to join us for this wonderful occasion. 

Many thanks to all who donated so generously to the collections for the Bethany Convent and Orthodox School, raising £473 for this needy cause in a time of great uncertainty and hardship. 

In your prayers, please remember the newly-departed handmaiden of God, Nadezhda, mother of our parishioner Olga (McKellar) and we pray for Olga and Allan, who are in Italy for the funeral, and for all of their family. Please also pray for the newly departed Photina. Memory Eternal! 

Please remember that we have a mid-week service each Wednesday evening in Llanelli, and will chant compline at 19:00 on Wednesday night in the chapel of St David and St Nicholas in Llanelli, with a litia for the newly departed Nadezhda and Photina.

Please contact us for directions if you wish to attend and are unsure of the location. Please note that the front door is locked once we retire to the garden chapel for the service. 

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark 

Dear brothers and sisters,

Tomorrow evening, our parish book club will have its first meeting at the Wenvoe Arms, Old Port Road, Wenvoe, CF5 6AN, and will be commencing St Philaret of Moscow’s Sermons on the Spiritual Life, available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sermons-Spiritual-Life-Philaret-Moscow/dp/1735011606/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697996493&sr=8-3

Everyone will be most welcome, and the first meeting will start with the first sermon in the anthology.

This coming St Demetrios Saturday will see our October parish pilgrimage to honour of St Cadoc in  the medieval church on the site of his monastery at Llancarfan, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

We will celebrate the Hours and Liturgy at 10:00, followed by a general panikhida for all of the faithful departed, after which we will enjoy lunch and time together in the Fox and Hounds.

The Liturgy variables may be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ugbN-baM2N9aXv4S6-mBOZauLGsqpiU-/view

After lunch, we will chant a moleben to St Cadoc, and I will hear some confessions at the end of our visit. Those who confessed in preparation for Holy Communion last Sunday are blessed to commune at Saturday’s Liturgy, subject to proper preparation.

Many thanks to Tracy, our pilgrimage secretary, who organises and acts as the hub for our monthly pilgrimages. We very much appreciate the time and effort spent on emails, telephone calls and messaging – to say nothing of coordinating bookings and menus to feed hungry pilgrims.

Please remember that we turn the clocks back one hour on Saturday night / Sunday morning for British winter time.

At the end of Sunday’s Liturgy, we will welcome offerings for a second collection to support Bethany Orthodox Christian school in the Holy Land. Mother Maria, who is in charge of the school has expressed the need and crippling hardship of the conditions in Bethany to parishioners, and given the recent visit of some of our faithful to Bethany, we must try and support this unique and threatened Orthodox school – already struggling as a Christian institution before the outbreak of the current conflict, and now in dire need. Every pound will help, so please give if you are able.

Given the absence of Deacon Mark on Sunday, Father Hierodeacon Avraamy and I will gratefully appreciate help in a quick church set-up, after a constantly lengthening morning mass. I hope that our young brothers will be able and willing to arrange the front of church as promptly as possible. Sunday confessions will start at 10:15, at the back of the church.

May God bless you all!

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark