The Shepherd, June 2005
BROOKWOOD NEWS
SEVEN BISHOPS AT BROOKWOOD!
AFTER the celebration at Harvard Road, the Hierarchs came to Brookwood, where Metropolitan Lavr served a moleben on the site of the proposed New Monastic House. His Eminence was greeted at the door of the church with bread and salt by Michael Woodrow, and having been received into the altar and blessed the people, he and the other guests were greeted by Fr Alexis. The Metropolitan then gave a short address, and we processed to the site, where a marquee had been set up, while the choir chanted the paschal canon. There, in front of the cross which had been prepared by Peter Woodrow, the Metropolitan served the service of supplication for the start of a good work, read the prayer for the foundation of a new house, and blessed the Cross. He then directed that the area should be sprinkled with holy water. And at the end of the short service, as they came up to kiss the Cross, all the participants were blessed with holy water. The Metropolitan was accompanied by all the hierarchs who had served earlier at Harvard Road, with the exception of Archbishop Kyrill who was feeling ill. Frs Peter Baulk and Paul Elliott were vested for the service. We were also joined by Archbishop Anatolii and Bishop Basil from the Russian Patriarchal Church, by Archimandrite Aemilianos who came as the representative of Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain (who was unable to join us being abroad on that day), by Protopresbyter Milun Kostic of the Serbian Church, and Fr Samir Gholam and his Preotasa of the Antiochian Patriarchate. Fr Alexander Fostiropoulos, Fr Maxim Nikolsky, Fr Stephen Fretwell and his matushka, Ioanna, and the Nuns Nikolaia and Serafima from the Patriarchal Church were also with us, as were Deacons Stavros Solomou (Œc. Pat.), and David Harris and his diaconissa Anna (Antioch). Thus clergymen and monastics from the various Orthodox jurisdictions in this country participated with us in this event of signal importance for our mission. We were also honoured to welcome the High Sheriff of Surrey and his wife Mr & Mrs David Hypher, the Deputy Mayor of Woking Cllr John Kingsbury, our county councillor Mrs Elizabeth Compton, and our borough councillor Philip Goldenberg, who has helped our project so much in the past. Cllrs Mehala Gosling and Ian Fidler were also present among the congregation of approximately two hundred people. A small photo exhibition about the Brotherhood’s history and about our future plans was set up in a second marquee, where the hierarchs, visiting clergy and dignitaries and all participants were offered refreshments after the religious ceremonies. Our special thanks to John Clarke for his help in producing materials for this small exhibit, and to all the women parishioners at St Edward’s who provided such an excellent collation.
On the next day, Archbishop Kyrill and two of his parishioners from California briefly visited the Brotherhood. Archbishop Kyrill had very kindly brought with him to England a donation of $3,900 which, although he had hitherto not known our community at all, he had collected from parishioners and benefactors inAmerica towards our Building Fund. This much appreciated gift, with other donations made on the day, brings the total that we have raised for the Building Fund so far to £243,130.90, or approximately 37.4% of our target.
BAPTISM AT ST EDWARD’S:
ON HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY this year (17th/30 April), Terence Pearson was baptised at St Edward’s Church. His sponsor was Michael Woodrow, and members of his family came for the ceremony. Terence, who is named for the holy Martyrs Terence and Neonilla, was unable to stay with us for the Liturgy everyday for his eight days in the chrism robe, but stayed until the Monday and then joined us at the Liturgy in Ryde on the Saturday for his eighth day. May he be granted also to share in the joys of the real Eighth Day.
GIFTS TO THE CHURCH
PARISHIONER Elena Matthews has given an antique blessing Cross, a small brass triptych icon and a silver Vigil lamp. These beautiful things come from her native Bulgaria and were sent her by her father.
ICONS BLESSED
THE ICON of the Communion of the Apostles and that of the Saints of London were blessed after the Vigil for Saint George in Bright Week this year. We are indebted to Stuart Herring of Barbers Picture Framing of Woking for mounting the large icon so swiftly and for bringing it out to us.
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PRACTICAL TIP
THE SUMMER MONTHS are now upon us, and we should remember the dress codes that reverent participation in the Divine Services impose upon us. Emphasis is often put on the fact that in church women should wear skirts rather than trousers and have their heads covered, and rightly so. But this is often addressed as if it were a restraint imposed upon women only, and it is forgotten that both men and women should dress modestly in church. Provocative or eye-catching clothing should be avoided, and now in the warmer months we should also take care that we do not use the heat as an excuse for wearing shorts, having bare arms, short skirts, or shirts and blouses open down the chest. There is some discomfort in being dressed modestly, but that discomfort itself can be an offering, and there are those that are more discomforted than the laity: the clergy - who have to wear all enveloping clothing and then vestments as well, and oftentimes some kind of headgear.
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