Dear brothers and sisters, we will chant vespers for the summer feast of the Kazan Icon in a few hours.
Through the good offices of Father Sebastian, we will celebrate vespers in the Cardiff Oratory Church at 15:00, and the Divine Liturgy in the morning at 11:00.
There will not be a Friday service, this week, as I must travel to London for Kolya and Victoria’s wedding, but we will have our usual service on Thursday, chanting the Akathist for the Kazan Icon during Small Compline in Nazareth House at 18:00. Given my second “wedding absence”, those who confessed last weekend are blessed to commune next Sunday.
Father Mark and I start the new week after a very busy past four days.
We had the great joy of joining the celebration of the lower altar-feast of the cathedral, on Friday, honouring the holy Tsar-Martyr, the Imperial family and their faithful co-sufferers. Our London brothers and sisters send their greetings to Cardiff parishioners, and we hope that more than a handful of us will be able to join the celebration of the principal altar-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, on Monday 8/21 September.
As you know, Father Avraamy served with Vladyka in Wallasey, on Saturday, where the feast of St Elizabeth the New-Martyr was celebrated with joyful solemnity.
Father Mark celebrated the Liturgy of the feast in the Cheltenham mission, whilst a few of us chanted. We are grateful for a very prayerful and peaceful (and well attended) Liturgy. Thank you, Father Mark.
We can now look forward to celebrating our altar feast of the Autumn celebration of the Kazan Icon, and though Vladyka is always in France at the time of the feast, we look forward to his first visit to our new church.
Over the past few days, in London, Cheltenham and Cardiff, we have sung «Многая лета» to Father Mark, as well as to matushka and Yuriy, as Father celebrates his second anniversary of priestly ordination. We thank God for his ministry, for matushka’s support, and for Yuriy’s dedicated service to the parish. Слава Богу!
Just in case anyone is wondering… we have not been using the pull-up icon screens of late, due to the high temperatures, which can cause serious damage to the printed layer, and makes the screens too flexible. They will be back once the interior temperature is cooler.
We ask your prayers for Marina and her family, as they prepare for the summer scouting youth camp in Brunswick, and for Kolya and Victoria as their wedding day draws so near.
May God bless you all!
In Christ – Hieromonk Mark
