Sayedna's Encyclical to the Priests concerning the authorisation of a Western Rite in the Archdiocese

(a western rite parish in the US)

Dear in Christ, the Fathers of this God-Protected Archdiocese,

I write to inform you that the Orthodox Western Rite Community of St Birinus, until recently under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), has been received into our Antiochian Archdiocese. Graciously released by Bishop Irinei of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR), they have been blessed to continue the liturgical offices of the ancient Western church.

I have appointed Fr Chrysostom of St Dunstan's parish, Poole, as a coordinator for using the Orthodox Western Rite. The St Birinus Community is to become a mission under the guidance of me through Fr Chrysostom within St Dunstan's parish, any priest in our archdiocese will be able, upon petitioning me (the bishop), to serve this western rite liturgy under Fr Chrysostom's direction.

With scholarly advice and assistance, Fr Chrysostom has drawn up a form of the Mass of St Gregory based, as far as possible, on the late 6th and early 7th century Roman Use; the form of service brought here by St Augustine; the form used by St Theodore, our archdiocesan patron. I have given my blessing for the mass to be served at St Dunstan's, which, as I have stipulated, may only be celebrated on weekdays (Saturdays in Lent).

I remain your Father in Christ

+Silouan