Dear brothers and sisters,
How good it is to sit down and catch a breath after a couple of very busy weeks surrounding the ordination of our new priest and my duties in Walsingham. It seems things have caught up on me, so I shall have a quiet first half of the week and not be in Cardiff until Thursday. Slightly alarming blood-pressure and photosensitive headaches seem to be the theme of this new week, but will hopefully relent as the week progresses.
It was good to have time to pray for our parish, the faithful, their loved ones and intentions in Walsingham, and to lift everyone before the Lord and His All-Holy Mother, and it was a blessing to celebrate the Divine Services in the shrine, with the unexpected presence of Father Cosmas from Rugby, an old friend of St Seraphim’s in Birmingham. Sadly, the schism instigated by the Phanar in Ukraine precluded celebrating together, but we were happy that he and his matushka could pray with us and share the feast of the Chilandar Three-Handed Icon of the Mother of God. After more than a quarter of a century since last being at Liturgy with him, the Mother of God did what so often happens in Walsingham, in bringing people together after so many years.
Yesterday, the feast if the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles the Holy Great-Prince Vladimir, brought further confirmation of how naturally Father Mark the Younger has taken to priestly duties, and it is a joy to have him beside me. It is strange to only have one deacon after the rather symmetrical luxury of a deacon on either hand, but the advantage of having a priest to perform proskomedia whilst I hear confessions makes a vast difference to Sunday mornings.
Sunday mornings would be easier still, if we had more assistance to set up the church, so may I please prompt our young people, in particular, to be in church early to assist and make it possible for everything to be in place as soon as possible.
Hierodeacon Avraamy is keen to develop reading skills in the parish, and has already started working with Tracy, who assisted with services in Walsingham, during he blitzkrieg visit, last week, and I hope that others will follow.
As we look forward to August I would like to flag some dates for diaries.
- Saturday 10th August will see the monthly Liturgy in Warminster for Cardiff parishioners living in Wessex.
- Dormition Fast begins on 14th August (1st according to the Church Calendar) and lasts until the feast of the Dormition on Wednesday 15/28th
- Saturday 17th August will see the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Cheltenham.
- The following day, being the Sunday after the feast of the All-Merciful Saviour, we will perform the traditional honey blessing at the end of Liturgy.
- On Monday 6/19th August, the feast of the Transfiguration will be celebrated in the Oratory Church, in Swinton St, with the Hours and Liturgy commencing at 10:30, with the fruit blessing at the end of Liturgy. There will also be a blessing of fruit on the following Saturday and Sunday, when the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in Bradford-on-Avon and Cardiff.
- There will be a Wessex pilgrimage to the Saxon church of St Laurence in Bradford-on-Avon, near Bath on Saturday 24th August, with the Divine Liturgy being celebrated in honour of the patron of the temple – St Laurence of Rome, whose feast falls the previous day. This is a unique and wonderful place, and some South Wales parishioners have already expressed interest in attending. The Hours will be celebrated at 9:00, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:30, ending with a cross procession and followed by a picnic if the weather is favourable.
- The Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Dormition will be celebrated in the Oratory Church on Wednesday 15/28thAugust, with the Hours commencing at 10:30.
We are delighted to announce that Germaine-Mary’s husband José will be baptised in the London Cathedral on Thursday 29th August, and that they will be crowned in the Orthodox marriage ceremony the following day. Please keep them in your prayers!
This week, I will chant the akathist before the icon of the Walsingham Mother of God at 15:00 in the Oratory Church on Thursday, and will be available for confessions after the service. As I have to potentially wait for up to four hours for a delivery in St John’s, Canton, on Friday, I will also be able to hear confessions from 11:00. Please get in touch.
My presence in town on Saturday will very much depend on progress reducing blood pressure, so please watch WhatsApp for any announcements. Hopefully, once the hot, humid weather subsides, things will be a little easier – particular on presently crowded trains, which are airless and rather hot for cassock clad clerics.
Thanks to all who labour for our parish, and serve the Lord with gladness, and thanks for so many kindnesses to the clergy… from books, icons and food to vitamins and supplements.
Asking your forgiveness for Christ’s sake.
May God bless and protect you all.
Hieromonk Mark
