Dear brothers and sisters,

I must start by stressing that I am being sensible and relaxing, and doing nothing to aggravate either blood pressure or the parishioners who are rightly watching the rector until blood pressure lowers!

However, with my feet up, with a cup of herbal tea and the Penguin ‘Complete Father Brown’ next to me, listening to Buxtehude’s organ works, I must express customary thanks for all who supported today’s service.

I instinctively went to type ‘today’s Liturgy’, even though Liturgy was not possible due to health issues, and must admit that celebrating the Hours and Typika, with Holy Communion from the reserved Holy Gifts, felt extremely strange. However, by the time I came to the homily, it was obvious to me that this was the only course today could have possibly taken, other than to cancel the service. Compared to last Sunday evening, when I felt quite unwell, I feel much better and relaxed, having not overexerted myself.

We have a fair number of parishioners away at the moment, and we keep those travelling in our prayers – especially our young pilgrims, Oswald, Alexander and George, also our trustee Peter, enjoying a break with his wife, Anne. It was very odd to have so many familiar faces missing, and we look forward to our parishioners’ return.

Many thanks to our singers/readers for adapting, last minute, and to those who stayed to help at the afternoon baptism, though I didn’t expect this. Help was greatly appreciated.

It was a joy to baptise little Ronald-Pavel, and to welcome his family and sponsors Pavlos and Marc. Although little Ronnie was not very happy going into the font, he took an amazing interest in so much of the service for such a young child, especially in incense and candles, and we compared our crosses at the end of the service. We look forward to blessing his family home and his Holy Communion in the next few weeks. May God grant Ronald-Pavel and his sponsors many, blessed years!

For me, the week ahead, will be one of rest, with lots of prayer and reading, and I will not be in Cardiff until Saturday to hear confessions, asking for your requests by Wednesday 22:00 so that we can arrange times and venue.

I suspect that next Sunday will also see the celebration of the Hours and Typika with Holy Communion, though I hope that improvement in blood pressure might make Liturgy possible. However, though a natural optimist, that seems doubtful.

Let’s all pray with fervour, trusting on God’s healing power, and be flexible for a while.

May God bless you all.

Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings for the Feast of St Silouan the Athonite!

Before we gather to celebrate the Leave-Taking of the Nativity of the Mother of God tomorrow, I would like to forewarn you that unless my blood pressure is dramatically lower, we will NOT be celebrating the Liturgy, but rather distributing Holy Communion after the Hours and Typika (Obednitsa).

The unavoidable reality is that my high-blood pressure potentially makes the celebration of the Liturgy impossible.

I felt extremely unwell last Sunday night, at the end of a long day (as Sundays always are), but characteristically ignored it once the week progressed. However, I felt alarmingly unwell on my return from Cardiff last night, and together with the way I felt on getting up this morning it made it obvious that Liturgy may not be possible this weekend, and possibly over the next two or three weeks.

Since taking over from Fr Vitaly, I have only missed Liturgy when I had covid, despite juggling the parish with demanding full-time work for five difficult years, but now is different. I have to face the facts, and until medication and treatment manages the situation, we will have ALL to be flexible, adapt and to face this unpleasant but unavoidable reality, continuing parish life in a slightly different way over the next month.

I ask parishioners to be understanding and to only telephone me out of absolute necessity as I try to rest over the next few weeks. So, if possible, email with any needs that may not be able to wait. My movements will also be limited, as six hours a day on public transport with no time to eat normal meals is not tenable.

Asking your prayers, and happy that our young men are praying for us all on the Holy Mountain…

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

By Metropolitan Innocent of Moscow

What is Confession? Confession is the oral avowal of one’s sins which lie heavy upon the conscience. Repentance cleanses the soul and makes it ready to receive the Holy Spirit, but confession, so to speak, only empties the soul of sins.

Let us present a simple analogy and comparison to confession. For example, suppose you had only one vessel of some kind, which you through negligence or laziness let reach a stage where little by little it accumulated all sorts of dirt so that your vessel became not only unusable but even unbearable to look at without repugnance. 

But what if a king wanted to give you as a gift some sort of fragrant and precious balm, one drop of which could heal all infirmities and protect – what then? Would you refuse such a valuable gift only because you had no other clean vessel in which to put it? No! It would be very natural for you to accept such a gift and you would try to clean your vessel. How would you begin to clean your vessel? No doubt, before anything else, you would rid it of all uncleanness; you would begin by washing it with water and, perhaps would even burn it out so that it no longer retained any of its former odors. Isn’t that so?

Now let the vessel represent the soul given to you by God, which you have brought to such a state that it has been filled with all kinds of transgression and iniquities; let the sweet-smelling balm, given by the king, signify the Holy Spirit, Who heals all infirmities and afflictions, Whom the King of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ, freely bestows upon us. 

To examine your vessel signifies feeling your guilt before God and recalling all sins, which have stolen into your heart. 

To clean out the vessel typifies the confession of your sins before your spiritual father, and washing with water and burning with fire signifies a sincere and even tearful repentance and a voluntary resolve to endure all unpleasantness, needs, afflictions, misfortunes, and even calamities that befall us.

Now tell me: Is Confession profitable or needful? Certainly it is profitable and even essential; because, just as it is impossible to cleanse a vessel without ridding it of all uncleanness, so it is impossible to purge your soul of sins without confession. 

But tell me, is confession alone enough for the reception of the Holy Spirit? Certainly not, because in order to receive the sweet-smelling and precious balm into a defiled vessel it is not enough to just empty it, but it is necessary to wash it with water and refine it with fire. Just so, in order to receive the Holy Spirit, it is not enough just to confess or recite your sins before a spiritual father, but it is necessary together with this to purge your soul with repentance or contrition and grief of soul, and burn it out with voluntary endurance of afflictions. So then, this is what confession and repentance mean!

What does a true and correct confession consist of? 

When we wish to cleanse our conscience of sins in the Mystery of Repentance: Before everything else it is necessary to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and firmly hope that He is ready to forgive all sins, no matter of what magnitude, if only the sinner repents open-heartedly; it is necessary to believe and hope that the God of all wants and seeks our return. 

Of this He assures us through the prophet thus: “As I live, saith the Lord,” i. e., I assure and swear by My life, “In desiring I do not desire”, i.e., I do not at all desire, “the death of a sinner, but entirely desire his conversion.” 

It is necessary to have a broken heart. Who is God? And who are we? God is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth; He is the awful and righteous Judge. And we? We are weak and insignificant mortals. All people, even the greatest people, are less than dust before God, and we can never imagine how disgusting to God is any sin and how any transgression offends Him. 

And we, insignificant and weak, we mortals endlessly benefited by our God, dare to offend Him – the All-Good One? Oh! This is so horrible! We are such debtors before God, such transgressors, that not only should we not dare to call ourselves His children, but are not even worthy of being His lowliest servants. 

Therefore, picturing all this, you see what contriteness, what lamentation it is necessary to have then, when we want to purge ourselves of sins. And such a feeling must be had not only before confession and during confession, but also after confession. And even more important, do you want to offer a sacrifice to God such as will be acceptable to Him? Naturally we all gladly want this and as far as possible we offer it. But what can we offer Him really acceptable? A broken heart. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled, here is an offering to God more priceless than all offerings and oblations!

It is necessary to forgive all our enemies and offenders all the harmful and offensive things they have done to us. Forgiveness—what does it mean to forgive? To forgive means never to avenge, neither secretly nor openly; never to recall wrongs but rather to forget them and, above all, to love your enemy as a friend, a brother, as a comrade; to protect his honor and to treat him right-mindedly in all things. This is what it means to forgive. 

And who agrees that this is difficult? So, it is a hard matter to forgive wrongs, but he who can forgive wrongs is for this reason great – truly great, both before God and before man. Yes, it is a hard matter to forgive your enemies; but it is necessary to forgive, otherwise God Himself will not forgive. Jesus Christ said: If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your trespasses. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you yours. 

On the contrary to this, though you pray to God every hour, though you have such faith that you can move mountains, even though you give away all of your belongings to the needy, and give your body to be burned, if you do not practice forgiveness and do not wish to forgive your enemy, then all is in vain, for in such circumstances neither prayer, nor faith, nor charity, will save you, in short, nothing will save you.

But if it is needful to forgive our enemies, so likewise it is indispensable to ask also forgiveness of those people whom we have offended. Thus, if you have offended anyone by word, ask forgiveness of him, come and bow down at his feet and say, “Forgive me.” Have you offended by deed? Endeavor to expiate your guilt and offenses and recompense his damage, then be certain that all of your sins, no matter how heavy they be, will be forgiven you.

It is necessary to reveal your sins properly and without any concealment. Some say, “For what reason should I reveal my sins to Him Who knows all of our secrets?” Certainly God knows all of our sins, but the Church, which has the power from God to forgive and absolve sins, cannot know them, and for this reason She cannot, without confession, pronounce Her absolution. 

Finally, it is necessary to set forth a firm intention to live prudently in the future. If you want to be in the kingdom of heaven, if you want God to forgive your sins – then stop sinning! Only on this condition does the Church absolve the penitent of his sins. And he who does not think at all about correcting himself confesses in vain, labors in vain, for even if the priest says, “I forgive and absolve,” the Holy Spirit does not forgive and absolve him!

From Orthodox Life, vol. 38, no. 4 (July-August, 1988), pp. 20-22.

All is busy in Llanelli, where Father Luke, son-in-law Simeon, and Simeon’s brother Raphael have been flooring the pritvor of the garden chapel.

In it’s first incarnation in the mid 90’s, a small chapel dedicated to St David and St Nicholas was created using a little summer house with a verandah, but over the years it has grown in height, width and length, with little (if any) of the original structure surviving.

Reader services had originally been celebrated in the home icon-corner, but Father Luke’s ordination brought the need for a small sanctuary, where Liturgy could be celebrated.

In the years since, during which the chapel has grown, the whole round of Orthodox services, fasts and feasts have been celebrated, as well as baptisms and weddings, and the garden chapel has welcomed the Kursk-Root icon of the Mother of God.

In its garden setting, the homely little chapel has been very popular with everyone, especially those from rural Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

We now look forward to the completion of the icons of the Saviour and Mother of God, which are being painted for the ikonostasis. Watch this space!

In the meantime, Chi-Chi greatly resents her peace and quiet being shattered by men with saws and hammers! Feline old age is meant to be all about sleeping, forgetfulness and treats.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We have just returned from London, at the end of a very joyful, but very long day, celebrating the altar-feast of our cathedral on this feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God.

As Bishop Irenei was unable to lead the celebrations due to the ongoing session of the Holy Synod, convened to elect our new First-Hierarch, Archpriest Paul our chancellor stood in his place heading the concelebration with the cathedral clergy, our ever-joyful Father Spasimir from Norwich, Father Joseph from the Patriarchal Cathedral and Father Goran from the Serbian parish.

Following the Liturgy, the assembled clergy and faithful celebrated a krestny khod, processing around the cathedral whilst chanting the moleben to the Mother of God in honour of her Nativity, bearing banners, crosses, candles and icons, with the faithful blessed with an generous volume of holy water. 

Trapeza welcomed cathedral parishioners and visitors from other parishes (with a few of our Cardiff parishioners) for a wonderful meal, with musical offerings from some of the young people, including our own Aldhelm, who was eager to take his turn at the piano.

It was a joy to catch up with friends, and to have time with our fellow clergy, and – as always – Deacon Mark and I would like to thank the cathedral clergy, staorosta Vera Alexandrovna, and the parish sisterhood for their immense kindness and hospitality.

Praise God for such a wonderful feast!

Dear brothers and sisters, in thanking those who contributed to today’s Liturgy in so many ways, we really must begin with our singers, who sang so beautifully and joyfully. It was difficult to believe that such chanting was by only four singers, and the Cherubic Hymn was sung particularly well.

We were so happy to hear Metropolitan Nicholas, our newly elected and enthroned First-Hierarch, commemorated in the litanies and at the Great Entrance, and we pray that we may hear that name for many years to come.

As we look forward to this week, we ask the prayers of the faithful for our young parishioners Oswald, Alexander and George as they travel to Greece on pilgrimage – where they will no doubt pray for our parish and paishioners at the many holy places they visit. We also pray for Vladika Irenei as he returns from the Holy Synod in New York; for Masha and her family as they travel back from Bordeaux; and for Peter and Anne, as they fly to the Canary Islands for a well-deserved holiday.

As you know, we had to cancel last week’s catechesis session on Friday and move confessions to Saturday, due to road closures in Butetown, but we will be back in St Mary’s, this Friday at 19:00, for a talk on the themes of confession and repentance. We will meet at the back of the church, as the parish room is still out of use, after the discovery of dry-rot in the kitchen-floor. As the kitchen is out of use, any beverages will need to be brought in flasks!

I intend to hear confessions in church before our talk, and would appreciate requests by Wednesday night to allow me to see whether any afternoon confessions are needed in addition.

As announced at Liturgy, the next two Sunday Liturgies will be followed by baptisms, so please be prepared for simple refreshments, as there will only be 25-30 minutes between Liturgy and the baptisms. If the weather allows, trapeza can be laid out in the garden, allowing more time to eat, drink and chat. Crucially, the Liturgy must begin on time, and there will be no possibility of any additional confessions after the Liturgy, as we must set up for the baptisms, and I must at least have a chance to sit down, given blood-pressure problems at the moment.

Today – and feeling very under the weather this evening – has reminded me of how strenuous Sundays are, and I will have to seriously start placing some limits on activities and slow down for the sake of self-preservation! Please remember that, sometimes, the clergy are on their feet for whole days on end. Some people seem to forget how many others have problems, questions and requests, in addition to themselves. Please watch the clergy when you are with them, and reflect on the fact that they rarely have a chance to stop, sit down, and catch their breath. You can all help on this front, by being sympathetic, and patient when response to communications may appear slow. There is a far bigger picture than the bit you may see.

Several of us will be in Chiswick this Tuesday and Wednesday for the Nativity of the Mother of God and I look forward to being with some of our parishioners in the cathedral for the altar-feast.

The next great feast will be the Exultation of the Life-Giving Cross on Tuesday 14/27, when we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St Mary, Butetown. As there is no daily mass until the evening, we will celebrate the Hours at 10:00 and the Divine Liturgy at 10:30. After the wonderful feast-day Liturgies of the summer, we very much look forward to returning to St Mary’s for the feast.

Next Sunday will be the Leave-Taking of the Nativity of the Mother of God, so we will celebrate the last day of the feast together. The variables for the Liturgy may be found in the usual place: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rYGffMIBNSYDBh8n0dNjL2tKxzQkpeSa/view

Having celebrated the feast of Saints Peter and Febronia, during the past day, we pray especially for the married couples of our community, and ask the prayers of the Holy Wonderworkers  for all of our parish families – encouraging everyone to turn to them in prayer, for the preservation and strengthening of Christian family life, based on the values of the Gospel and Law of God.

May God bless you all. Asking your prayers.

In Christ – Fr Mark

Due to road closures around Bute Town, due to tomorrow’s royal visit, confessions and catechesis group have been cancelled.

Confessions will now be heard in St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, and those confessing are asked to be mindful of the fact that due to the large number of requests confessions will take in excess of four hours, and they need to be mindful of the time they take.

A list of times will be sent out tomorrow morning, when I have received confirmation from those attending.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

Dear brothers and sisters,

St John’s was certainly a very joyful place today, with so many children in church, and the blessing of hearing confessions of those old enough to do so and to commune them with the Holy Mysteries. It was also young Vanya’s nameday, though we didn’t realise this until we had gone to trapeza.

We wish Vanya, as well as all of our Natalias ‘Many Years’.

Your prayers are asked for the newly arrived children from Ukraine, as some of them have just started school here in Wales, with so much that is new unfamiliar – especially language! We especially ask your prayers for Vanya, Misha and Denys, asking God to bless them – and all of our children – in their studies, through the prayers of St Nicholas and all the saints.

Our congregation also had plenty of new faces today, including the two young Ukrainian sopranos on the kliros, and the newly arrived Ukrainian faithful who are now part of our parish family.

The greatest surprise was to have unexpected visitors from London, and to be able to welcome them to the Liturgy and community.

Before I joined parishioners for trapeza, I celebrated a memorial for the newly-departed Larissa, and ask you to remember her in your prayers, together with the newly-departed Metropolitan Kallistos, Ioann, Valentina, Valentina, and Alexander.

We also pray for the soul of the newly-departed Queen Elizabeth, and for the new King, as he ascends the throne.

On Monday 19^th September, the royal funeral will be broadcast on a big screen in St John’s Church, and any Orthodox parishioners who would like to join the Canton parish on this occasion are most welcome. A book of condolence may be found before the votive candle stand on the altar-step, and parishioners are welcome to add their condolences to those of the local community.

Next Sunday will be the feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of the Holy Wonder-Workers Peter and Febronia of Murom, with the variables to be found at Orthodoxaustin:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DNU3ert2yl2oVbuBWxIZZapj2WqZHtOT/view

Confessions will be heard on Friday afternoon and in the early evening before our 19:00 catechesis session in St Mary Butetown. May I please have requests for confession before 22:00 on Wednesday.

The New Church Year begins on Wednesday this week, and we will pray for God’s blessing of the New Indiction with an evening service in the Chapel of St David and St Nicholas, in Llanelli.

Thank you to all who made today such a joyful celebration of Faith, especially those who looked after our new visitors so warmly, and congratulations to all who communed of the Holy Mysteries. Поздравления с причастием!

May God bless you, and the week ahead.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we pray for the soul of the departed Sovereign and for her family, that the Lord may comfort them at this time of sadness and loss.

Regardless of our views of the institution of monarchy and of our individual political persuasions, we must surely agree that her late Majesty’s example was selfless and inspirational.

Her life was one of service, dedicated to the nation and commonwealth, and her death will be mourned throughout the world.

In times when we have seen such poor political leadership, Queen Elizabeth showed how leadership should operate, with a profound sense of duty, of moral and spiritual strength, and responsibility before God, having made her coronation vows as a woman shaped by duty and faith.

For many of us, Queen Elizabeth has been a symbol of the nation for our whole lives, but we now pass into the reign of His Majesty, King Charles III, and pray for the Lord to give him strength for the duties that now fall upon his shoulders.

May our All-Merciful God remember Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in His Kingdom.