Dear brothers and sisters,
The countdown to our exit from St John’s is now very real, and after long hours of packing, yesterday evening, most things can be removed on Wednesday.
Sunday Liturgy will be minimal, leaving only the bare necessities of worship for a sort of “catacomb Liturgy”.
I hope that some of our sacred items can be used in other places, until we have somewhere to use them in Cardiff, again.
I was very glad to be able to celebrate Sunday Liturgy yesterday, after a period of having to stand in for other rôles since Nativity, and thought it a very prayerful and joyful celebration.
Once again, it was good to see recently arrived faithful and some new faces.
Thanks to everyone for their labours for the glory of God! Spasi Godpodi!
As I’m still in Cardiff, there will be afternoon prayers in St Alban’s Church this afternoon, where we will pray the akathist to the Holy Archangel Michael, given that Monday is dedicated to the angelic powers.
We will also chant an akathist in Nazareth House at 18:00 on Thursday. With confessions possible both before and after the service.
Given the move from St John’s, I do not have concrete plans for Friday, as we need to see how the week progresses in terms of removals. I will make any service announcements on WhatsApp.
This coming Saturday – 8 February – will see the monthly Liturgy for our West of England parishioners, and we will celebrate, as usual, in the lovely Chapel of St Lawrence, in Warminster Market Place, with the Hours commencing at 10:30.
We also look forward to our Gloucestershire Liturgy, in Cheltenham the following Saturday (15 February) – the feast of the Metting of the Lord.
As you will be aware, we are still awaiting an answer regarding use of St Philip’s, Tremorfa, and are becoming concerned that this is threatened by negative voices and influences connected with our imminent eviction from St John’s.
Looking forward to Sunday 16th February, I will discuss the possibility of a noonday celebration of the typica and administration of Holy Communion with Father Sebastian, and report back to you.
We are delighted that the Oratory will house some of our larger church items, knowing that this will make it easy to create an Orthodox setting for worship.
Despite the uncertainties ahead, we must remain hopeful and fervent in our prayers!
We ask for prayers for Ludmila and Brigid among the sick; for David in Gower, as he becomes increasingly frail in his old age; for Xenia and Isaac in Cheltenham as they reluctantly move out of a much loved home; and for the newly departed Sergei and Elena, and for Valentina, whose eight anniversary of repose falls tomorrow.
With so much having been put on hold due to the move out of St John’s, I look forward to a subsequent busy few weeks of Theophany house-blessings. Thank you for your patience!
Asking your forgiveness for Christ’s sake.
Hieromonk Mark