The Shepherd, March 2007
BROOKWOOD NEWS, 1
BISHOP AMBROSE TO VISIT
OUR METROPOLITAN CYPRIAN of Oropos and Fili, the President of the Synod in Resistance, is unable because of his years and infirmity to visit Britain. However, he has blessed His Grace Bishop Ambrose of Methoni to come in his place. Bishop Ambrose is a British convert to Holy Orthodoxy, and is already known to many of our people, because in the period when the Russian Church Abroad and the Synod in Resistance recognised each other as Sister Churches (1994-2006), he served at Harvard Road, at the Convent and at the Brookwood Brotherhood on a number of occasions. Bishop Ambrose will be coming to Saint Edward’s Church for the Vigil Service on Friday 30th March (n.s.), and serving the Divine Liturgy here on the following day, which this year is both Lazarus Saturday and the Martyrdom of St Edward. Then in the evening he will preside at the Vigil Service at the Convent of the Annunciation and celebrate the Divine Liturgy there on Palm Sunday. This year the Annunciation falls on Holy and Great Saturday, and so naturally it was not possible for him to come then, but the Sisters have the closest links with Bethany, where they were pupils at the Bethany Orthodox School, and so the Bishop will be with them on a festival that is very close to their hearts.
SERBIAN BISHOP VISITS BROOKWOOD
ON MONDAY 5th FEBRUARY, His Grace Bishop Vasilije of Srem of the Serbian Orthodox Church unexpectedly visited Saint Edward’s Church, Brookwood, and came in for a cup of tea.
LONDON’S GUN LAW
AS PARISHIONERS, who attended the Brookwood Church on the Sunday of Orthodoxy will have already heard, the teenage son of one of our people was forced to make confession of his Christian faith at gun point in North London in January this year. His mother writes: “Whilst walking to a bus stop, he was asked directions by a passing car. Subsequently he was abducted at gun point, his mobile, money and other possessions taken. The gun man checked his neck to see if he had anything of value hanging there. He found a black rope with a simple Cross. He asked M if he believes in God. M replied; “Yes.” “Do you believe in the prophet Mohammed?” he asked. “No,” said M, “I am a Christian.” He then put the gun into my son’s mouth and asked, “Would you die for God?” Once he removed the gun, my son replied “Yes, I would.” For his bravery and courage I think this should be recognised. How many people in England at least are placed in these circumstances where their faith would have led to their deaths. In the future many of us will have the opportunity to proclaim our faith or to deny it. But in 2007 my son was prepared to die if necessary for his.”
DONATION OF AN ICON
A HAND-PAINTED ICON of the holy Prophet, King and Psalmist David, painted by the sisters of the Convent of St Elizabeth, Etna, California, has been donated to Saint Edward’s Church, by choirmember and parishioner Marko Stojovic, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. At the moment the icon is being framed.
COSSACK GATHERING AT BROOKWOOD
ON FORGIVENESS SUNDAY, a number of the Cossack community from London came to Saint Edward’s for the Divine Liturgy. After the service they gathered with their colours at the grave of their former Ataman, Colonel Mikhail Taratuchin. There Fr Stephen Fretwell served a memorial service and blessed the headstone, it being the Sunday nearest the year’s mind of the deceased. After the service, the Cossacks provided foods for a mercy meal in memory of the departed servant of God, Mikhail. Eternal be his Memory! 
|
