Dear brothers and sisters,

Today has been one of great joy, and though I was unable to concelebrate, it was wonderful to be back in church, to hear our choir chanting even whilst confessing, to see new faces and so many people, and to share not only in the Eucharistic Mystery, but to then celebrate Ezra’s baptism.

What a wonderful baptism, and what a peaceful and cooperative baby Ezra was, totally unperturbed, by his triple-immersion in the font, and we are very happy that Ezra was able to commune of the Holy and Divine Mysteries. Congratulations to Joseph and McKenna, and also to Ezra’s godp arents, Father Mark and Joanna. May the Lord bless and protect Ezra, and grant him, his parents, and godparents many blessed years! Многая и благая лета!

As you are aware the weekend also saw the Liturgy for St Demetrios Saturday in Cheltenham, where we also celebrated a general memorialfor the departed, and were very happy to be with our mission faithful after having to cancel the Liturgy a couple of weeks ago.

As wonderful as the weekend has been for me, after two weeks largely spent lying down, it has made me realise that I am still rather limited in terms of energy and capability. Unfortunately, it is very clear that travelling to and from Warminster, next weekend, and celebrating the Divine Liturgy on consecutive days, is beyond my strength for the moment. So, sadly, our Wessex Liturgy will have to be cancelled. We will, however, celebrate the Liturgy in Warminster in the presence of the Kursk-Root Icon, at 10:00, on Tuesday 18 November.

We look forward to greeting the Kursk-Root Icon in Cardiff in the preceding days, but even before that, as the ROCOR shrine-priest for the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, I will have the very great joy of welcoming the Icon in “England’s Nazareth”, in North Norfolk.

Given the long association of our Russian Church Abroad with the shrine, this will be a very great blessing.

Together with our chancellor, Archpriest Paul, I will join the celebration of Founder’s Day, at the College of Our Lady of Mettingham in Suffolk, on Saturday 15 November, after which we will journey from Suffolk to Cardiff. 

Given the length of the journey, we have arranged for the greeting of the Icon before the late celebration of Great Vespers, in St Philip’s at 19:00. Please be in church for 18:45 at the very latest.

I’m sure that Joanna will be looking for volunteers to set up the church, ready for the greeting of the icon.

Our Liturgy on Sunday 16 will be blessed by the presence of the Icon, which will make home visits after Liturgy and several the following morning, before its overnight visit to Wessex, and Tuesday evening journey to Llanelli and Swansea, from whence we will travel to Geneva.

All in all, this will be a rather busy month!

We look forward to celebrating the translated Autumn feast of the Kazan Icon, next Sunday, with our festal Liturgy being followed by full trapéza. All food offerings for the table will be greatly appreciated, and our sisterhood has posted a request list on our WhatsApp page. I will cross post this to Facebook.

As well as thanking everyone for today’s lovely celebration, I would particularly like to give special thanks to Father Mark the Younger for his attentive, pastoral  management of the parish over the last few weeks. We are fortunate and blessed to have the support of a second priest, and it brings peace of mind to have the flexibility to manage unforeseen challenges.

I very much hope to come together with parishioners for prayers and to hear confessions on Thursday and Friday, but will confirm this as this week progresses, as at this very moment, my chest is beginning to be uncomfortable, with concerns that another infection may be beginning.

Asking your prayers and forgiveness Christ’s sake.

May God bless you.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark