The Shepherd, January 2009
SiR UK* NEWS
* Synod in Resistance Churches in the UK
BISHOP SOFRONIE FROM ROMANIA VISITS
HIS GRACE, Bishop Sofronie of Suceava celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Edward’s on the second Sunday of the Nativity Fast, 7th December n.s. This time the Bishop was accompanied by Archimandrite Nifon, who serves at the Synod in Resistance metochion in Bucharest, and they concelebrated with Fr Stephen Fretwell, assisted by Hierodeacon Sabbas. On this day, Fr Alexis had been detailed to serve at the Convent. His Grace spoke of the necessity of keeping the fast, of making one’s confession and of almsgiving, and we are extremely thankful to Irina Aldersley for her valiant attempt to translate his sermon into English. Afterwards, the Romanian parishioners prepared a very generous meal for all the congregation in the Old Mortuary. Although the Bishop thanked us for allowing him to serve in our church, for the true Christian soul his visits are rather a joy and a blessing for our community, and we owe him thanks. They give us an opportunity to offer hospitality to others - it was upon the hospitality of our forefather Abraham that the promise of the Messiah was granted to his lineage. They give us the blessing of a hierarchal service, celebrated by a hierarch who has remained faithful to Orthodox tradition, when so many are careless of it. They give us an opportunity to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ from another country and another culture. Orthodoxy, in our day, is dogged by ethno-centricism and out-moded and un-Christian ideas of nationalism; it benefits us for a season to realize that the vast majority of our co-religionists are not British, and to endeavour to show them love.
INTERMENT AT BROOKWOOD
A YOUNG RUSSIAN, Stanislav Victorovich Samsonov, was laid to rest in Saint Edward’s cemetery on Tuesday, 30th December, n.s. The funeral service was conducted at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Ennismore Gardens, in London, by Father Joseph Skinner, who accompanied the body to its resting place. Stanislav’s mother, Rufina, who lives at Gatchina, had travelled from Russia for the funeral. After the burial the mourners were invited into the Old Mortuary for tea and biscuits.
LITI FOR IRINA BONTEA
FR IOAN FODOR of the Romanian Patriarchal Church came to our cemetery to serve at liti for Irina Bontea on the evening of Sunday, 30th November. He had celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Poole that morning, and then travelled on to Southampton to bless a house. Some of those attending the service for Irina arrived around tea time, but being delayed on his way, Fr Ioan did not arrive till very late in the evening and they finished their service and left at nearly ten o’clock. However, everyone had stayed to pray for Irina - a fine example to many of us, convert Orthodox, who expect things to be laid on as and when we want, and are not prepared to be patient about anything! They also kindly brought fasting treats for the Brotherhood, which were much appreciated.
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 
|
