« Archpastoral visit to the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary in Manchester »

On January 14, 2024, on the 32nd Sunday after Pentecost, before Epiphany, the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the day of remembrance of St. Basil the Great, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited the diocesan district of Northern England on archpastoral visit and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God in Manchester.

His Grace was assisted by Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Sourozh diocese, Dean of the Northern England diocesan district, Deputy Dean of the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary in Manchester, Priest Anatoly Vikhrov, cleric of the church, and Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch, cleric of the Dormition Cathedral in London.

The Liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of the Intercession Church under the direction of Apollinaria Postlethwaite.

After the augmented litany, the Right Reverend Vladyka proclaimed a prayer for the granting of peace.

Following the prayer behind the ambo, His Grace Vladyka and the concelebrating clergy performed prayerful glorification in front of the icon of St. Basil the Great containing a particle of his holy relics, which was specially brought for the feast by Bishop Matthew. 

After that, Archpriest Dimitry Nestoupenko addressed Vladyka Matthew with words of gratitude. On behalf of the clergy and parishioners, he expressed gratitude for the visit and for the joy of joint prayer with his archpastor and presented Vladyka with a bouquet of flowers.

At the end, His Grace Vladyka addressed those present with words of sermon and spiritual edification.  Simultaneous translation into English was provided by Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch.

Then the presentation of awards and decrees took place. As a blessing for his hard work for the glory of the Holy Church, L.D. Savori, Director of the parish school "Pokrov" at the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary in Manchester, was awarded the Bishop's distinction letter. Bishop Matthew anounced a decree appointing A.B. Postlethwaite as choirmaster of the of the Intercession Church, at the same time warmly thanking Anthony Greenan, who had been the permanent leader of the parish choir for many years, and expressed the hope that Tony will continue, to the best of his ability, to creatively participate in the life of the church.

After the service, a Christmas matinee took place, in which students and teachers of the Pokrov parochial school took part. The program included Christmas carols and poems, and Father Frost and the Snow Maiden held entertaining competitions for children. All participants received sweet gifts.

At the end of the festive day, the Archpastor, clergy, parishioners and guests of the church shared a fraternal meal.

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