Hierarchical Concelebration at the ROCOR Cathedral

Date: 11 May 2025, Sunday

Photo album:

Location: The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God and the Holy Royal Martyrs,

Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside

Russia, 57 Harvard Road, London, W4 4ED

*Photos published with the permission of the ROCOR Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe. More photos will be available here, monitor the news section: https://orthodox-europe.org/english/news/

On Sunday, 11 May 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of the British Isles and

Ireland concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of

God and the Holy Royal Martyrs in London, Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia

(ROCOR). The invitation was extended by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York and First Hierarch of the ROCOR, and His Grace Irenei, Bishop of London and Western Europe.

The concelebration marked the occasion of the regular session of the Holy Synod of

Bishops of the ROCOR, which was taking place in London over those days. His Eminence

Metropolitan Nicholas presided at the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with the members of the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Silouan. The hierarchs were assisted by clergy from the ROCOR Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland, other ROCOR dioceses, as well as by Fr

Dmitry Ismagilov and Deacon George Moldoveanu of our Archdiocese, who accompanied Metropolitan Silouan. Full list of concelebrating hierarchs:

• His Eminence Nicholas - Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

• His Eminence Silouan - Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland

• His Eminence Mark - Metropolitan of Berlin and Germany (ROCOR)

• His Eminence Gabriel - Archbishop of Montreal and Canada (ROCOR)

• His Grace Irenei - Bishop of London and Western Europe (ROCOR)

• His Grace Theodosy - Bishop of Seattle (ROCOR)

• His Grace Job - Bishop of Stuttgart (ROCOR)

The Liturgy was a joyful and solemn celebration, marked by a spirit of brotherly love

and unity in Christ around one Holy Table. The Liturgy was a joyful and reverent celebration, marked by a spirit of brotherly love and unity in Christ around one Holy Table. Before the start of the service, the original wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God was brought into the cathedral, greeted by the clergy and placed for veneration by the faithful. This revered icon, historically and deeply significant in the spiritual life of the Russian Orthodox Church, regularly accompanies the members of the Holy Synod of ROCOR in their meetings.

Following the service, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas expressed his gratitude to

his fellow bishops, the clergy, chanters, servers, and faithful of the Cathedral for their prayers, hospitality, and support for the Church’s mission. He extended particular gratitude to Metropolitan Silouan for his presence and concelebration, words that were also reflected in a brief address by His Grace Bishop Irenei.

After the Liturgy, a festive lunch was served in the Cathedral Hall, lovingly prepared

by the parish’s dedicated ladies. The meal included toasts wishing many years to the First Hierarch, the members of the Holy Synod, and all those who serve and support the Church and its faithful.

The second day in a row of warm concelebrations with Orthodox hierarchs from

various jurisdictions bore witness to the unity of the Orthodox Church and the spirit of

cooperation in its mission to proclaim the Gospel in Great Britain and Ireland.