On Sunday 20th October 2024, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain made a pastoral visit to the Parish of St John of Kronstadt in Bath to preside over the Divine Liturgy in the weekend of the parish’s patronal feast. The prayerful and reverent Liturgy was made the more beautiful by the parish’s wonderful choir, which continues to strengthen the growing tradition of English-language Orthodox Christian Liturgy in the Archdiocese.
Led by their tireless Priest-in-Charge, The Revd Oeconomos Richard Penwell, and Presbytera Tamara, the vibrant and noticeably youthful congregation gave a very warm welcome to Archbishop Nikitas, his accompanying clergy, and their wives. Archbishop Nikitas was joined in celebrating the Divine Liturgy by Father Richard and by The Revd Presbyter Gerald Hopkins, with The Revd Deacon Catalin Constandis joining The Revd Archdeacon Dr George Tsourous as a second deacon. The Parish Priest Emeritus, The Revd Oeconomos Seraphim Johnson, attended prayerfully with Presbytera Ann, and they were joined also by Presbytera Bett Dubois.
Although not present at the Liturgy, united with the parish in prayer was the Parish Priest Emeritus, The Very Revd Protopresbyter Yves Dubois, who founded the parish together with Presbytera Bett and Mother Sarah in 1980.
English was used throughout the Divine Liturgy as the shared liturgical language of its diverse congregation, which includes many Britons as well as parishioners from Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Palestine, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
The Liturgy was attended also by several Anglican clergy from the area. There followed a delightful festive meal, which was joined by The Rt Revd Alistair Redfern, former Anglican bishop of Derby, with whom Archbishop Nikitas has worked for several years in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. The Orthodox Christian community was honoured also by the presence of The Revd Canon Jonathan Lloyd, Ecumenical Officer of Churches Together in Somerset, and of The Revd Peter Edwards, Anglican parish priest of St John’s, Bathwick, in whose church the Parish of St John of Kronstadt worships.
Following the festive meal, Archbishop Nikitas was received by Mother Sarah at the Convent of Saint John of Kronstadt, visiting the convent’s Chapel of the Protection of the Mother of God, and discussing with Mother Sarah her work in the chaplaincy team of the University of Bath.
The Archbishop expressed his grateful thanks to the clergy and their wives, to the churchwardens and parish council, and to the whole parish community, for their warm welcome and for their witness to Jesus Christ among the people of Bath.
Photo credit: David Harvey
