Our profound thanks go the Very Revd Father Sebastian Jones Cong.Orat., and the brethren of the Cardiff Oratory, for their characteristic warmth and hospitality in welcoming a small group of parishioners to the Oratory Church of St Alban on the Moors, this afternoon.

We were privileged to pray at the shrine of St Alban, offering a moleben before his sacred relics and icon, venerating the Protmartyr’s relics, then chatting over refreshments in the parish hall.

It was just over a year ago, in June 2021, that the portion of St Alban’s relics in the Oratory Church were presented and enshrined by the Abbot of St Michael’s Benedictine Abbey in Farnborough, which is blessed with one of the Protomartyrs thigh-bones, saved during the reformation, and evacuated to the continent to escape desecration and destruction. 

Since the Oratorian Fathers were granted the parish of St Alban on the Moors, and especially since they were replaced as University chaplains (with the resultant Orthodox exodus from Newman Hall), we have been continually blessed to have the use of the Oratory Church for confessions and shrine-prayers.

Troparion, Tone 3: With faith, piety and devotion let us hasten to the sacred shrine of the wondrous martyr Alban, the first in Britain to shed his blood for Christ the Lord, for Whom he willingly laid down his life; and let us pray that through his supplications our souls may find mercy and salvation.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.  

Kontakion, Tone 2: Imbued with courage and bravery from on high, the glorious martyr Alban stood undaunted before the tyrant and boldly confessed Christ as the only God of all; and he utterly refused to offer sacrifice to false deities. Wherefore, having laid down his life for the Lord, he maketh earnest entreaty in behalf of our souls.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us!