Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings, as we continue to celebrate the octave of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, with today’s feast of her icon “The Giver of Reason.”
Thanks to all who laboured for the feast and this Sunday’s service.
We were very happy to celebrate Dormition in the Oratory Church, earlier in the week, with Great Vespers on Tuesday and the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday.
Thanks to Father Mark the Younger, for taking the lead on the feast, which was well attended for a weekday, and thanks to those who provided a lovely lunch in the church hall.
As you know, the second day of the feast took us to London, for José’s baptism in the lower cathedral, with Father Mark acting as José’s godfather.
It was a wonderful occasion, and one for which we have been praying, crowned with the joy of José and Mary’s wedding on Friday, and Father Mark communing them with the Most Pure Mysteries at the Saturday Liturgy.
Having time with José and Mary before their departure for mountain-life in Spain was a blessing, as was the opportunity to sit down with Chiswick friends for unrushed meals and much conversation about our parishes and spiritual life.
Though I had expected to concelebrate today, the morning developed in such a way that I read and sang, greatly enjoying being on the kliros.
We were pleased to serve a litia to the Saviour and the Mother of God, before her “Giver of Reason” icon, praying for our children and students for the new term, as they begin their studies. We very much hope that the new university term will bring more young people to the parish, and look forward to welcoming back those still on vocation.
After the thanksgiving prayers, Father Mark and I offered molebens for different parishioners, something that we are always happy to do, not to mention memorial services.
Father then performed his first baptism, for five-month-old Afanasia whose family live in Carmarthenshire. We congratulate them on this joyful occasion.
I am presently in Wells – a stone’s throw from Glastonbury – where I will spend some days in pilgrimage and prayer, resting and reading.
Please forward any prayer requests, as I will be serving molebens and memorial services, beginning this evening with a moleben to the Mother of God, in honour of the “Giver of Reason” icon.
On my return to Wales, I will celebrate Great Vespers in the Oratory Church, on Friday, and will be available to hear confessions.
We are greatly looking forward to welcoming José and Mary in Cardiff next Sunday: the feast of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
The New Church Year, on Saturday 14th September, will be celebrated in Cheltenham, with our monthly Liturgy in Prestbury United Reformed Church at 10:30.
The next Great Feast of the Church’s year will be the Nativity of the Mother of God, the cathedral altar-feast, on Saturday 21st September, new-style. It would be good to have parishioners to participate in the celebration of the feast in the cathedral.
This is one of the special occasions that brings people together from many parishes in the British part of our diocese, and a wonderful chance to meet brothers and sisters and to get to know our clergy.
The greeting of the bishop will be at 09:00, followed by the Hours, Hierarchical Liturgy and trapeza.
At the end of the month, we will celebrate the Exultation of the Cross, with a Liturgy provisionally arranged for Friday 27th September, in the Oratory Church – subject to having singers.
The following day, Saturday 28th September, our Wessex Liturgy will be celebrated in the Chapel of St Lawrence in Warminster at 10:30.
After a busy September, our next pilgrimage will be our much-anticipated return to Lazarica – the magnificent church of St Lazar in Birmingham’s Bournville – to honour the Mother of God and venerate her Trojeručica-Hilandarska icon.
Last year’s visit made a great impression on parishioners, but our students were unable to come, due to on-line problems buying train tickets.
We hope that October will see everyone wishing to attend to be part of this return pilgrimage to the beautiful shrine and the wonderful parish, and for us to organise car shares well in advance.
Saturday Liturgy at Lazarica is at 09:00.
Please pray for José and Mary, and for Afanasia. We pray to God to grant them many, blessed years! Многая и благая лѣта!
We also ask for prayers for Lazarus and Liz, as they prepare to move from Poole to Cardiff in a few weeks, and for travellers, Jessica-Anne and her daughter Mary-Louisa, and Allan and Olga.
We continue to pray for the newly departed Archimandrite Germogen and for Jovana.
Asking your forgiveness for Christ’s sake.
In Christ – Hieromonk Mark
