RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DIOCESE OF SOUROZH CATHEDRAL OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD 67 ENNISMORE GARDENS, LONDON SW7 1NH Cathedral Newsletter February - Мarch 2017

‘Love grants prophecy, miracles. It is an abyss of illumination, a fountain of fire, bubbling up to inflame the thirsty soul It is the condition of angels, and the progress of eternity.’ The Ladder of Divine Ascent, St John Climacus February - March 2017 List of contents

In this issue: Philosophic exploration... Diocesan NEws...... 3 Orthodoxy!...... 19 Cathedral NEws...... 4 British and irish Parish Assembly Meeting...... 5 Teilo of ...... 22 A Thousand Years of Russian A Teenager’s Meeting Monastic Presence on with God...... 25 ...... 8 Mount Athos cathedral newsletter Notes on the church 30 years ago calendar 1987: Jubilee Year for The Meaning of the Prayer of the Icons...... 28 St Ephraim the Syrian...... 10 Interview with Kira Clegg...... 30 Legacy of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh Sacrament of Holy Unction...... 32 Forgiveness Sunday...... 12 FOr children and ”Lord, teach us to pray” ...... 14 about the children The Architecture Sacraments of the church of our Church...... 33 Part 4. The Eucharist. Part1...... 16 Christmas in your heart...... 34 How I became orthodox Teenage rebellion... Recommended donation is £1 Dear Readers, We are happy to inform you that the Media and Publishing Department of the Diocese of Sourozh now has an on- line store, Sourozh Publications, where you can obtain the publica- tions of the diocese. You can subscribe to the English or Russian editions of Cathedral Newsletter, and purchase the diocesan journal ‘Sourozh’ and the Diocesan Calendar and Lection- ary. For prices and full information please visit the store at https:// sourozh.myshopify.com. Cathedral Newsletter was prepared by: Archpriest Joseph Skinner, Elena Kuzina, Elena Creswell, John Newbery, Julia Pliauksta, Anna Rynda, Yana Reznik 2 Diocesan News February - March 2017 Diocesan News

Festive Celebration on the and All and to His Eminence Patronal Festival of the Elisey of Sourozh. Sisterhood of St Elizabeth Father Ierotheos Georghiou from the On the 4th of February the Russian Greek Orthodox Church of St Mary Orthodox Church celebrates the New Magdelene in Hastings was a guest Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, at the Feast and blessed the festive among them – the Venerable Martyrs trapeza. It was warm and homely Grand Duchess Elizabeth and the Nun atmosphere in the sisterhood that once Barbara. again united English and Russians; those who had been supporting the The Divine Liturgy and Panikhida community for years and those who were celebrated by Archpriest Stephen came to celebrate the Feast for the first Platt. In his sermon, Fr Stephen time. reminded us that the last 100 years of the history of Russia gave the Orthodox Yana Reznik Church more martyrs than the early years of . Amongst the martyrs we remember the endurance and sacrifice of St Elizabeth, of the Royal Passion Bearers - Tsar Nicholas II and his family, and the prisoners of Solovki. Fr Stephen emphasised that we ought to remember them and find inspiration in their holy heroic deeds. He drew our attention to the Greek word ‘martyros’ from which ‘martyr’ is derived; ‘martyros’ means “witness”. A Christian martyr is thus not only a person who died for Christ or did not turn away from Christ in the face of death, but a person whose life bore witness to Christ. In this case all of us are called to be and could become martyrs.

‘Many Years’ was sung to His Icon of the New Martyrs Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Confesors of Russia 3 February - March 2017 Cathedral News

Cathedral News

Divine Liturgy on the day of a patient and lenient, but vigilant of The Meeting of the approach to the education of the Lord in the Temple younger generation in the spirit of love and goodwill. On February 15th, the feast of The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, His Eminence Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of Great Britain and (Antiochian Orthodox Church). After the Liturgy Vladyka Elisey in his address reminded the congregation that today the Antiochian Church is a suffering Church enduring very hard times. We all believe that very soon Christians in the Middle East will be able to come back to normal life and practice their faith openly. Metropolitan Silouan was named after the Russian Saint Silouan of Mount Athos, who is well-known Metropolitan Silouan among Russian Orthodox people in (Antiochian Church) Britain. Metropolitan Silouan in his address thanked Vladyka Elisey and the congregation for the invitation and underlined that the Christians of the Middle East value our prayers for peace. Archbishop Elisey also reminded the congregation about the International Orthodox Youth Day which the celebrates together with other churches on February 15th. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed a message to all young Orthodox Christians and their teachers, in which he spoke about the importance 4 Parish Assembly Meeting February - March 2017

Congratulations to Father Dmitri Nedostupenko! Fr Dmitri Nedostupenko celebrated his 40th birthday on Thursday Feb. 9th, the day of the translation of the relics of St John Chrysostom. Greeting him after the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Elisey recalled that the Prophet Moses began his service to God at this age of maturity. Vladyka wished Fr Dmitry that his service to the people of God would be for him always new and inspiring and presented him with an icon of St Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Parish Assembly Meeting questions of Christian life in the contemporary world. Both sides On 26th of January the Parish expressed their concerns regarding Assembly took place. It was opened by moral decay and the importance of Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh, who faith in the world. summarised the main events of the Archbishop Elisey raised the specific past year. The central theme of 2016 question of what is most important was the festive celebration of 300 years in the Church, and why do we come of the presence of Russian Orthodoxy to the Church? The only answer is in the British Isles. The culmination the internal birth of a new human of the celebration was the Primatial being within the church community, visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill the Body of Christ. Therefore both of Moscow and All Russia to Britain the clergy and the parishioners in October, in the course of which the should establish the conditions that Great Consecration of the Cathedral would enable our parishioners to was performed. His Holiness also met develop spiritually. The members with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of the Assembly are responsible for II. This was a meeting of heads of how the church functions and for its Churches in which they discussed 5 February - March 2017 Parish Assembly Meeting representation in the outer world. Prior to presenting the report of the work that had been done last year, the Churchwarden Natalia Tkachuk expressed her gratitude for the ceaseless labours of those who help to improve our cathedral, especially the volunteers. In 2016 the major reconstruction of the cathedral that has lasted three years was completed. A new iconostasis had been erected. There was a special forum consisting of artists and architects who shared their ideas on how the new icons should be painted in order for them to be in harmony with the existing adornments of the now a white marble cross. church, including the sgraffito, which is a recognised masterpiece. Natalya Tkachuk mentioned the structured organisation and smooth The semi-dome over the altar was running of the candle desk and the regilded and the reordering of the bookshop. The bookshop, however, sanctuary completed. The bell tower lacks space; therefore not all of its underwent a total reconstruction, stoack can be displayed. There are including the replacement of its roof. certain issues with prosphora making, There is now a new metallic staircase principally due to the lack of people leading to the top of the bell tower. who are able to do this hard work. The mechanism to control ringing However, there is hope that soon there of the clock bell was repaired. All of will be a new baker available, which the church buildings were upgraded, will speed up the work. including the small rear garden, which Although there are only 11 full-time was tidied up and beautified. An icon workers in the cathedral team, there of the Mother of God was placed in are about a hundred people who help front of the cathedral, so that it be to keep the church in best condition venerated even when the church is on a voluntary basis. All the volunteers closed. For many parishioners this are now split into small groups with shrine has become very dear. Last specific duties and responsibilities year the grave-stone of Metropolitan being allocated to different people. Anthony of Sourozh was replaced. Instead of the old monument there is The Information Unit headed

6 Parish Assembly Meeting February - March 2017 by Dmitry Loktionov and Yelena Mulenkova is running smoothly. Recently they visited all the Parishes of the Diocese of Sourozh and created a few highly professional videos about the life of the Diocese. Currently they are working on a documentary film about the 300 years of the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland. Mikhail Sarni published a must be admitted that the Parish new photo album of church history, school director, Yelena Nikolaevna which includes new archive materials Poplavskaya, puts in a lot of effort that were not published previously. so that the school is not just a source The magazine ‘Sparrow’ for children of knowledge, but also a source of has started publication again. The culture, for example when preparing journal ‘Sourozh’ and the ‘Cathedral the stage performances she writes the Newsletter’ are published on a regular scripts and lyrics by herself. basis. There followed the report of the There are many volunteers who sing Cathedral Treasurer who presented in the cathedral choir. There are even the financial report for 2016 and the families whose children have grown up budget projection for 2017. It was on the choir loft. A new group of bell decided that the final results of the ringers has been established. Although financial report will be discussed at many people were interested only a the next Parish Assembly following a few people acquired the necessary more detailed financial audit. skills. The question regarding Archbishop There is a group of florists responsible Anatoly of Kerch was raised for floral decorations in our church, specifically. Archbishop Elisey said which is anything but simple. There is that Archbishop Anatoly has been also a lack of experienced sewers, so undergoing long term medical we hope to get help from those who treatment in Russia and that he is in have sewing skills and are able to work constant contact with those taking accurately. care of him. We pray for Archbishop Around 200 children and 300 Anatoly’s health and strength and parents are invoved in the children’s continue to hope that we shall see him festive celebrations, with many of in London once again. the parents actively participating By Julia Pliauksta in the preparation of materials. It

7 February - March 2017 A 1000 years of Russian Monastic presence in Athos

Veronika Souslova - Memory Eternal! It was with great sadness that we heard that after a serious illness Veronika Souslova departed this life on February16th. The parishioners of the Dormition Cathedral are praying for the newly departed Veronika and will remember her as a very faithful and kind- hearted person. The funeral service took place on February 24th, and Veronika was buried in Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Surrey on the same day. Memory eternal, dear sister Veronika!

A Thousand Years of to the spiritual and cultural traditions Russian Monastic of the Holy Mountain, just as Mount Presence on Mount Athos Athos has influenced the Russian Orthodox Church. The film also shows A unique event took place at the incredible stories of living monks – Cathedral on Monday 6th February. A former bankers and even musicians – spiritual education evening entitled ‘In who ‘died’ to the world after they had the Garden of the Most Holy Mother discovered that nothing compares to of God. Russia and Mount Athos: the joy of communion with God. 1000 years of Spiritual Union’ brought After the film Mr Shumilo gave a together many guests. Sergey Shumilo, lecture in a conversational style. the Director of the International The guests overwhelmed the Kievan Institute of the Athonite Legacy in researcher with questions. Clergy of Ukraine and the editor of the almanac the Cathedral who visited the Holy ‘Athonite Legacy’, delivered the Mountain many times shared their presentation. impressions. The multinational parish To begin with, a documentary ‘A united in a lively discussion. Thousand Years of Mount Athos’ was The speaker told us that prayer never shown about the links between Kievan stops on Mount Athos. The services Rus and Mount Athos, which had all can last up to 24 hours and usually the guests holding their breath. The take place during the night. There is a first mention of a Russian monastery saying that, while the world sleeps or on the Holy Mountain was made in sins, Mount Athos prays for the whole 1016. From ancient times, Russian world. monks have contributed generously

8 A 1000 years of Russian Monastic presence in Athos February - March 2017

The Mother of God is considered to of Russian monastic presence on the be the ‘Abbess’ of this Autonomous Holy Mountain. Just before it, an Monastic State, the only such state international conference ‘Mount Athos in the world. The researcher stressed and Russia 1016-2016’ had taken that the ban on women on the Holy place from 3rd to 5th of February at Mountain has nothing to do with Madingley Hall in Cambridge. It was gender discrimination. ‘A monk organised by ‘The Friends of Mount or a nun leaves the world, taking Athos’, a British society (athosfriends. monastic vows for the sake of personal org). encounter with God, and forsakes any You can find more information about interaction with the opposite sex’. We the Holy Mountain and its monaster- were reminded that some convents ban ies, advice to pilgrims and informa- men from entering them. tion about the International Institute At the end of the evening there was a of the Athonite Legacy in Ukraine on presentation of unique photos taken the website afonit.info (the language on Mount Athos. Mr Shumilo donated is Russian). You can also watch films to the Cathedral library several there and read the electronic version publications of the Ukrainian Orthodox of the almanac ‘Athonite Legacy’. Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and of By Tatiana Salmon the Institute of the Athonite Legacy dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Russian monastic presence on the Holy Mountain. These included a special issue of the almanac ‘Athonite Legacy’ and a book about Saint Paisius Velichkovsky. The lecture-presentation at the Cathedral was one of a series of events dedicated to the 1000 years 9 February - March 2017 Notes on the Church calendar

Notes on the Church calendar

The Meaning of the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian Every day of Great Lent, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, the prayer “O Lord and Master of my life” is read. According to tradition, this prayer was written in Syria in the fourth century by the ascetic Mar Afrem or, as we have grown accustomed to calling him, Ephraim the Syrian. He was a monk, poet, and theologian, one of the most eminent sons of the Syrian Church, who entered world literature as a remarkable writer. The words of the prayer, which were quite accurately transmitted St Ephrem the Syrian by Pushkin, sound as follows when “Ambition.” This means love of translated from the Syrian: “O Lord authority. Everyone has it; do not think and Master of my life,” that is: Ruler that the cult of personality exists only of my life, Who gave me life, Who is in politics: it can also be present in the center and focal point of my life. the family or in any small community. “Give me not a spirit of idleness,” Everyone has in himself the seeds that is, laziness, which is, according to of the aspiration to crush the will of the old adage, the mother of all vices. others, to strangle and subdue it. Laziness seems like an innocent thing, “Idle talking.” I exempt children: but it engenders much that is dark and they have the right to chatter, but only black. until the age of fifteen or sixteen. When “Despondency.” Christianity is a children chatter they are learning to joyful doctrine; joyful, too, is he who is communicate and are practicing their despondent – for it will leave him. St. language; but when these “children” Seraphim of Sarov, the great Russian are already twenty, or sometimes older saint of the nineteenth century, said: than forty – this means they are being “We have no ways to be despondent, pitiless towards their own lives. Let for Christ has saved everyone.” us consider (and let us be honest with

10 Notes on the Church calendar February - March 2017 ourselves): how much longer do we thinks he is superior to everyone else. have to live? Not much longer at all. “Patience, and love.” What is Therefore, I repeat, we should value patience? I will put it briefly so that you life and love the gift that God has given will remember. Patience is not the state us, remembering that we will carry into of cattle, which tolerate everything. eternity only that which we have in our It is not humiliation – not at all. It is hearts. Idle talk and blathering are not a compromise with evil – under frightful words, for they involve killing no circumstances. Patience is the time. ability to maintain equanimity of spirit Further on the prayer says: “a spirit in circumstances that impede such of chastity… patience, and love equanimity. Patience is the ability to bestow upon me Thy servant.” achieve one’s goals when encountering Chastity is purity of relations with the various obstacles along the way. world and with people, wholeness of Patience is the ability to maintain a soul, without duality, and without the joyful spirit even when there is an passions gaining possession over you. excess of grief. Patience is a victory “Humble-mindedness.” This means and an overcoming; patience is a form the wisdom of the healthy person. of courage. This is what real patience Humility here, in the given context, is. means knowing where you stand against Finally, love. Love is the utmost the backdrop of eternity. Do not inflate happiness of man; it is the ability of yourself like the frog in Krylov’s fable– our souls to be open, immanent (as the it burst. There is no need to exaggerate, philosophers say), inwardly open to the but one should know one’s worth. The other person. When you are riding the wisdom of modesty is extraordinary escalator in the subway, test yourself to and beautiful. The wisdom of modesty see if you are able to love or not. When is not abasement beyond pride, but you look at the people riding on the healthiness of soul. Here is an example other side and you find it repulsive to for you. When someone begins to look at their faces, it means that all the imagine himself as something that pores of your soul are clogged and that he is not, he is only a few steps from your feeling of love is in an embryonic megalomania. Megalomania is a state. pathological state of pride. One person But the power of Christ’s grace is announces that he is the chairman of capable of rebuilding a person in such the Council of Ministers or Napoleon, a way that he sees people in an entirely and he is placed in a psychiatric different manner; so that his first hospital; another makes no such reaction will be benevolence; so that pronouncement, for which reason he is he will immediately see the beautiful in not in the hospital, but in his soul he both women and men, in as inspired

11 February - March 2017 Legacy of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh manner, even where no one else notices laws in all their subtleties. Here we act it; so that when seeing a suffering face like strict judges, although we have no he will feel compassion; so that he right to do so, since we ourselves are will be open. Such a person is always guilty of the very things of which we happy, because he is united with people condemn others. and lives lovingly. You ask me: perhaps this is At the end of the prayer it says: “Yea, appeasement and compromise with O Lord and King, grant me to see evil? Under no circumstances. Never. my failings and not condemn my We must call evil by its name. But we brother.” You understand this. The must have compassion for the person greatest cure from condemnation who falls into this sin. is the ability to criticize oneself. We This is the essence of this prayer read are extremely careful – I would say daily with prostrations during Great observant and even psychologically Lent. sophisticated – when we are considering Archpriest Alexander Men (1990) the sins of our neighbours or the sins of other people. Here we display From the lecture “Great Lent,” delivered on maximum knowledge of all moral April 1, 1989.

Legacy of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

Forgiveness Sunday February 25th, 1996 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. To-day two themes dominate the readings of the Holy Scriptures. St Paul speaks to us about fasting and the Lord about forgiveness, and St Paul insists on the fact that fasting does not consist simply of depriving oneself of one form of food or another, neither does it, if it is kept strictly, obediently, worshipfully, give us any ground to be proud of ourselves, satisfied and secure, because the aim of fasting is Metropolitan Anthony

12 Legacy of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh February - March 2017 not to deprive our body of the one one short thing. We think always of form of food rather than the other, the forgiveness as a way in which we would aim of fasting is to acquire mastery say to a person who has offended, hurt, over our body and make it a perfect humiliated us, that the past is past instrument of the spirit. Most of the and that we do not any more hold a time we are slaves of our bodies, we grudge against this person. But what are attracted by all our senses to one forgiveness means more deeply than form or another of enjoyment, but of this is that if we can say to a person: an enjoyment which goes far beyond let us no longer make the past into a the purity which God expects of us. destructive present, let me trust you, And so, the period of fasting offers us a make an act of faith in you, if I forgive time during which we can say not that you it means in my eyes you are not I will torment my body, limit myself in lost, in my eyes there is a future of things material, but a time when I will beauty and truth in you. re-acquire mastery of my body, make it But this applies also to us. Perversely, we a perfect instrument. The comparison think very often of forgiving others, but that comes to my mind is that of tuning we do not think sufficiently of the need a musical instrument; this is what in which we are, each of us personally, fasting is, to acquire the power not only of being forgiven by others. We have a to command our body, but also to give few hours left between the Liturgy and our body the possibility to respond to the Service of Forgiveness tonight, let all the promptings of the spirit. us reflect and try to remember, not the Let us therefore go into fasting with offences which we have suffered, but this understanding, not measuring our the hurts which we have caused. And fasting by what we eat and how much, if we have hurt anyone in one way or but of the effect it has on us, whether another, in things small or great, let us our fasting makes us free or whether make haste before we enter into Lent we become slaves of fasting itself. tomorrow morning, let us make haste to ask to be forgiven, to hear someone say If we fast let us not be proud of it, to us: in spite of all that has happened because it proves simply that we need I believe in you, I trust you, I hope for more perhaps than another person you and I will expect everything from to conquer something in our nature. you. And then we can go together And if around us other people are not through Lent helping one another to fasting let us not judge them, because become what we are called to be - the God has received the ones as He disciples of Christ, following Him step receives the others, because it is into by step to Calvary, and beyond Calvary the heart of men that He looks. to the Resurrection. Amen. And then there is the theme of forgiveness, of which I will say only 13 February - March 2017 “Lord, teach us to pray”

”Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) When it comes to a rule of prayer, there are three important compo- nents: moderation, constancy, and quality. 1. Moderation. This is beneficial to all our actions: be they everyday activities or spiritual efforts. It is very difficult to achieve this ‘golden mean’; prayer rule of suitable length keeps nevertheless this is the key to success. us in spiritual shape and allows us to When it comes to a prayer rule this remain joyful and willing to pray. It principle is acute and important. On also results in internal peace and deep the one hand prayer must be regular, humility of the soul. but it is equally important to refrain 2. Constancy. You should pray from over enthusiasm. One must not regularly. This is the instruction of be lazy, but also must not push oneself St Paul. Commitment and regularity too hard. I believe that it is better not determine the success of any work. to do enough and to feel a longing for However, that’s not all. While it is true prayer the following day. Overdoing it that there is no gain without some can cause the opposite effect, leading pain, we need to remember that we to protest and rejection. Spiritual are co-operating with God: “So neither fathers say that a short prayer rule is the one who plants nor the one who waters is priceless. Obviously, there is the need anything, but only God, who makes things for help from an experienced and grow” ( 1 Corinthians 3:7). It is crucial judicious spiritual father. However, his for our works to be blessed by God. counsel should still allow for a certain The Holy Fathers talk about synergy degree of freedom and personal between our constant prayers and choice for those who seek advice. God’s grace-filled help. This is the key Try not to compose a large prayer to success. There should be no stops rule. Let it be one that you manage in the work of prayer. Prayer is similar to follow during your whole life. to riding a bicycle or sailing a boat Remember: the prayer rule is for man, against the flow: only constant work and not man for the prayer rule. helps us to go forward. The same Various factors such as age, state of rule applies when it comes to praying: health, marital status, nature of work, “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17). As a e should be considered. Acquiring a result of continuous prayer, eventually 14 “Lord, teach us to pray” February - March 2017 a feeling of weariness and dullness will be changed into a feeling of being energised and a willingness to pray, which is the true sign of God’s grace- filled help. It means that you are on the right path. 3. Quality. Everyone who starts praying should remember that sometimes less is more. Quality of prayer is determined by two properties: alertness of mind and penitence. St John of the Ladder calls alertness the soul of prayer and recommends everyone to fix the mind on the words of prayer. Initially we When it comes to music, children are all find that difficult, but we must asked to play a simple melody clearly, not avoid it and give up. Instead, we when it comes to foreign languages it should try hard and eventually God is important to be able to construct will help us and send us the Guardian simple phrases, and a learner driver Angel of our prayer. is asked to park a vehicle without Penitence and deep humility of soul knocking down the signs. Experience is the true altar from which God comes with time, and then you can accepts our spiritual sacrifices, and increase the volume of your prayer prayer is one of the most important rule. While following this prayer of them. When praying, one should rule on a daily basis, we should be be similar to a babbling and innocent internally monitoring its quality and child - remember no evil and pray for remembering that it is not our works those who hurt you. Remember your that determine success, but the will of irredeemable debt to God and it will Almighty God that makes everything make it easier for you to forgive other possible. people. It is important to obtain this By Archpriest Andrey Ovchinnikov internal weeping of the soul about your sins, because it is a sign of true Source: www.pravoslavie.ru/100077.html penitence. It is understandable that the fulfilling of these conditions is possible when your prayer rule is small. Things of true quality are often very unique.

15 February - March 2017 Sacraments of the Church

Sacraments of the Church

We are printing a series of short texts about the Sacraments of the Church. They are copied from ‘An Orthodox Online Catechism’, which is based on the book ‘The Mystery of Faith’ by Metropolitan (Alfeyev). They are presented here by the kind permission and blessing of the author. Part 4. THe eucharist Part 1 the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often The Eucharist (from the Greek as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as eucharistia, ‘thanksgiving’), or the often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, sacrament of Holy Communion, is ‘the you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes’ sacrament of sacraments’, ‘the mystery (I Cor. 11:23-6). of mysteries’; it is ‘the perfection of every sacrament and the seal of every This supper Christ took with the mystery’. The Eucharist has a central disciples was, in its outward form, the significance in the life of the Church traditional Jewish Paschal meal when and of every Christian. It is not merely the members of every family in Israel one of a number of sacred actions or ‘a gathered to eat the sacrificial lamb. means of receiving grace’: it is the very It was attended by Christ’s closest heart of the Church, her foundation, followers: not his blood relatives, but without which the Church cannot be that family which would later grow imagined. into the Church. Instead of the lamb, offered himself as a sacrifice like The sacrament of the Eucharist was that of a lamb without blemish or spot. instituted by Christ at the Last Supper He was destined ‘before the foundation of as related by all four evangelists, as well the world’ for our salvation (I Pet. 1:19- as by St Paul, who says: 20). At the Mystical Supper Christ ‘For I received from the Lord what I also transformed the bread and wine into delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the his body and blood, gave Communion night when he was betrayed took bread, and to the apostles and commanded when he had given thanks, he broke it and them to celebrate this sacrament in said, “This is my body which is for you. Do remembrance of him. After his death this in remembrance of me.” In the same way on the Cross and his Resurrection, the also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is disciples would gather on the first day 16 Sacraments of the Church February - March 2017 of the week (the so-called ‘day of the the people present reply: Amen . . . sun’, or Sunday, when Christ rose from After the thanksgiving of the president the dead) for the ‘breaking of bread’. and the exclamation of all people ... the deacons give to each of those present Originally the Eucharist was a meal to partake of the bread over which accompanied by readings from thanks have been given and the wine Scripture, a sermon and a prayer. It and water, and then take them away would sometimes continue through the to those who are absent. This food we night. The book of Acts relates how call the Eucharist and nobody else is Paul brought back to life the youth allowed to participate in it apart from Eutychus at one such supper. Paul’s those who believe in the truth of our conversation continued for such a long teaching and have been cleansed for time that the young man ‘sank into a the remission of sins . . . For we receive deep sleep’ and fell out of the window. this not as ordinary bread or ordinary Paul went down, bent over him and food; but as Christ was incarnate and raised him from the dead. After that took Flesh and Blood for our salvation, Paul went back upstairs. ‘When Paul then in the same way this food over had . . . broken bread and eaten, he conversed which thanks are given is, as we have with them a long while, until daybreak’ (Acts been taught, the Flesh and Blood of 20:9—11). the incarnate Christ. Gradually, as the Christian The most ancient elements that communities grew, the Eucharist was constitute the eucharistic rite are transformed from an evening supper mentioned by St Paul and St Justin: into a divine service. There is a second- these are the reading from Holy century description of a baptismal Scripture, prayers for all the people, Liturgy by Justin Martyr: the kiss of peace, thanksgiving to the After the believer has been cleansed in Father (to which the people reply this fashion [i.e. after baptism], we lead ‘Amen’), the breaking of bread and him to the so-called brethren gathered Communion. In the Early Church, each in a general assembly in order to community had its own Eucharist, but pray both for ourselves and the newly all these elements were present in every illumined and all those present. . . After eucharistic rite. The ’s prayer the prayers we greet each other with a was originally improvised and only kiss. Then bread and a cup of water later were eucharistic prayers written and wine is brought to the presiding down. Thus many different eucharistic brother: he takes it and in the name rites were in use. They were called of the Son and the Holy Spirit offers ‘Liturgies’ (from the Greek leitourgia, which up praise to the Father and likewise means ‘common action, ‘work’, or ‘service’). completes the thanksgiving ... All of Each Liturgy that was celebrated bore

17 February - March 2017 Sacraments of the Church the name of a particular apostle or holy hierarch as its author. The Eucharist is a sacrifice in which Christ himself is ‘the Offerer and the Offered, the Receiver and the Received’. Christ is the one true celebrant. He is invisibly present in church and acts through the priest. Orthodox Christians believe that the Eucharist is not merely a symbolic action performed in remembrance of the Mystical Supper. Rather, it is the Mystical Supper itself, renewed daily by Christ and continuing without interruption in the Church from that Paschal night when Christ reclined thy Christ. . . changing them by thy Holy at the table with his disciples to the Spirit.’ In an ancient liturgical rite present day. ‘Of Thy Mystical Supper, O ascribed to Gregory the Theologian, Son of God, accept me this day as a partaker’, all the prayers are addressed to Christ, say the believers as they approach Holy and the words of the transformation Communion. Not only the Mystical are expressed somewhat differently: ‘O Supper but also Christ’s sacrifice on Master, change that which is here set forth, for Golgotha is renewed at every Liturgy: thou art the author of this mystical service . . ‘For the King of kings and the Lord of lords , Send down thine All-Holy Spirit so that he cometh to be slain and to give himself for may sanctify and change these precious Gifts food to the faithful.’ here set forth into the very Body and Blood of our Redeemer . . . and make this Bread to According to the Council of be thy holy Body, of our Lord and God and Constantinople of 1156, the Orthodox Saviour and Almighty King Jesus Christ. . . Church holds that the sacrifice of Christ and this Cup to be thy precious Blood of thy is offered not only to the Father, but to New Covenant.’ the Holy Trinity in its entirety. The eucharistic celebration is trinitarian by The Orthodox Church believes that nature. Prayers are addressed to God in the Eucharist the bread and wine the Father, but it is through the action become not only a symbol of Christ of the Holy Spirit that the bread and s presence, but his Body and Blood wine are transformed into the Body in actuality. This belief has been held and Blood of Christ: ‘Send down thy in the Christian Church from the Holy Spirit. . . and make this Bread the very beginning. Christ himself says: precious Body of thy Christ. . . and that ‘For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood which is in this Cup the precious Blood of is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and 18 How I became Orthodox February - March 2017 drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him’ (John 6:55—6). At the end of the first century, Ignatius of Antioch spoke of the Eucharist as ‘the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins’, and Justin Martyr also states that ‘this food is the flesh and blood of the incarnate Christ’. All the ancient liturgical rites emphasise that the eucharistic bread and wine are the ‘precious Body and Blood’ of our Lord Jesus Christ (Liturgy of St Basil the Great), ‘the very Body and of the Armenian Church), ‘the most Blood of our Redeemer’ (Liturgy of holy Body and Blood of the Son of St Gregory the Theologian), ‘the holy God’ (the Roman Catholic Mass). Body and precious Blood of Christ’ To be continued. (Liturgy of St James), ‘the true Body Source: www.orthodoxeurope.org/ and the true Blood of Christ’ (Liturgy page/10/1.aspx#41

How I became Orthodox

Teenage rebellion... was convinced of the saving love of philosophic exploration... Jesus Christ, but by my late teenage Orthodoxy! years this had become replaced first Part 1 by doubt and then by rebellion. Thus I grew up in a fairly strict Calvinist in my final school year I was engaged home in South Africa, yet without in debate with some of our town’s intolerance towards adherents of Dutch Reformed ministers in front other beliefs. The Calvinist, or of the assembled teachers and pupils, Reformed, form of Protestantism had during which they argued in favour been brought to Africa by the Dutch of God’s creation of the world while in 1652, when they founded a trading I argued in favour of the modern post at the Cape of Good Hope. It theory of evolution. Due to my has ever since been the religion of extremely limited understanding of most Afrikaners (i.e. the descendants the latter, my motivation at the time of the Dutch, German and French was probably more a case of youthful Huguenot settlers), and our family rebelliousness than anything else. The was no exception. As a young child I real, philosophically based rebellion was still to come. 19 February - March 2017 How I became Orthodox

During my military service I underwent a conversion experience and made a commitment to Christ, within the Protestant understanding of course. I became involved with the so-called Pentecostal movement, but within a few years came to realize that their much-vaunted ‘gifts of the Spirit’ amounted to little more than excessive emotionalism, which further entails a rejection of rational thought and thus of proper theology. By that time I was working in a government office in Cape Town and had begun reading Vladimir de Beer philosophy, in addition to part-time studies for my first degree in Politics. the measure of all things, and which Initially I read the so-called Christian underlies all of the modern ideologies existentialists such as Kierkegaard in the Western world) rather than in and Tillich, while also discovering the his alternative vision of the value-free work of Dostoyevsky which made a übermensch motivated solely by the profound impression on me. Before will to power. long, still in my early twenties, I was After approximately a decade as an reading the atheistic existentialists existentialist, during which time I also such as Camus and Sartre. The dabbled with Germanic neo-pagan- mental earthquake came with my ism, I began to experience a desire for discovery of the radical philosopher a meaningful spiritual life. At first I Friedrich Nietzsche, whose writings was drawn to the so-called New Age would become my guiding light for movement, which in effect allows one several years to come. Although I have to concoct an individual ‘spiritual- since departed from major aspects of ity’ from elements of various tradi- Nietzsche’s philosophy, such as his tions without making a commitment rejection of metaphysics as ‘illusory’ to any of them. Having discovered and of Christianity as entailing ‘slave Buddhism through Religious Stud- morality’, I remain an admirer of ies, I also strove to live according to his aristocratic view of life. From an the Buddha’s teachings and practised Orthodox viewpoint, the German meditation whenever my laziness al- philosopher’s main value lies in his lowed such a degree of discipline. wide-ranging attacks on humanism However, within a few years I realized (i.e. the world-view according to that my attempt to cultivate an ‘inner which humankind and not God is 20 How I became Orthodox February - March 2017 god’ had failed and that I had arrived Of decisive significance in my at another cul-de-sac in my spiritual movement into Orthodoxy was the life quest. Without knowing it at the time, and teaching of Father Seraphim Rose I had been prepared to discover the of Platina, the well-known American traditional Christian religion through convert to Russian Orthodoxy. twenty years of rebelling and search- Although not daring to compare ing. myself with his spiritual level, I was Thus it happened that I heard, struck by the similarities in our quests. almost by chance, about Orthodox Both Father Seraphim and I were reader services which were being raised in Protestant homes, both of held in Afrikaans in a house chapel in us rebelled against Christianity under Cape Town. Something (or perhaps the influence of Nietzsche and other Someone) prompted me to attend one radical thinkers, and both of us tried of these services in order to find out to find salvation in Buddhism before what Orthodoxy was about. Somewhat discovering Orthodoxy. Early in 1999 to my astonishment I found myself I was busy reading his biography, Not drawn to such unfamiliar elements of this World, when my daughter and as the icons, incense, candles and I were involved in a serious car crash chanting in the chapel. I then started on a mountain pass near Cape Town. reading Orthodox theology, beginning The vehicle we were travelling in was with Metropolitan Kallistos Ware’s a wreck and had to be written off, but The Orthodox Way. In its pages I came we both came out with light injuries across a statement which suddenly, despite not even wearing seat-belts. like a flash of lightning, convinced The mentioned book was lying next me why the Virgin birth of Christ (which had always been a stumbling block to me) was not only necessary but also logically meaningful: ‘The Son of God was begotten outside time from his Father without a mother, and He was begotten within time from his Mother without a father.’ At the same time I became convinced of the supreme importance of the Mother of God in our lives and in our salvation. In addition, as a lover of European art music (a.k.a. classical music) since childhood, I began listening to Orthodox music and enjoyed the harmonies thereof. 21 February - March 2017 British and Irish Saints to me on the car seat at the time of Orthodox name would be, I replied the crash and broke into several parts without hesitation ‘Vladimir’; for held together by the plastic covering. some reason I had always liked this I came to believe that it was Father name. Without having known this Seraphim’s prayers which had helped in advance, Father Mirko gave me to save us from death and even from a small icon of St Basil the Great as serious injury. We now have a beautiful baptismal gift. Only a few years later icon of Blessed Seraphim at home. did I discover that St Vladimir, Great Later in the same year, when I was Prince of Kiev, received the name in my late thirties, I received the of Basil at his baptism in 988. This Orthodox Baptism in Cape Town ‘coincidence’ gave me the spiritual from a dear old Serbian priest, Father version of goosebumps! Mirko Skrobonja, who together with To be continued his parishioners had suffered much Vladimir de Beer during the civil war in the former 6 November 2016: Feast of the Icon of the Yugoslavia. When he asked what my Mother of God ‘Joy of all who sorrow’

British and Irish Saints

Saint Teilo of Wales Commemorated: 9th/22nd February The veneration of St Teilo (c.500- 560 or 580) throughout Wales and in was widespread; many churches across Wales and in western were dedicated to him. His Life was composed in the twelfth century by Geoffrey of Llandaff. Teilo was born in in present- day in south-western Wales. He was related to the royal family, but from his childhood decided to devote his life to the service of St Teilo Christ. Young Teilo gave away all his possessions and learned the basics of 22 British and Irish Saints February - March 2017 monastic life first through St Paulinus him, were interconnected and assisted of , and later, St Dyfrig. each other. He became a friend of St David of During the epidemic of plague in Mynyw. Later for some time he lived 549, Teilo together with St Samson at Mynyw Monastery together with and other monks, guided by an angel, Sts David and Aidan of Ferns. Two travelled to Brittany; there Teilo and deer once helped the ascetics Teilo and Samson tirelessly preached the Gospel Aidan bring firewood from the forest to and planted many fruit trees in Dol. the monastery. Some of those trees grow to this day. Having gained spiritual experience, Teilo vanquished a “winged dragon” Teilo resolved to follow in the footsteps (a demon) who had terrorized the of these saints. Teilo is the founder population of a small Breton kingdom. of the Monastery of Fawr Seven years later Teilo returned to (“large church of Teilo”) in Wales where he reposed either in which became one of the main Llandeilo or Llandaff. centres of monasticism and learning in Wales. Teilo left many disciples Teilo performed numerous miracles in and spiritual followers after him in his lifetime (he raised one man from the this monastery who were venerated as dead, healed another one from the pal- saints. Llandeilo Fawr was one of the sy) which continued after his repose. In centres of Teilo’s ministry. Teilo also the Middle Ages Teilo was loved as one served as a bishop. His main see was of the greatest Church figures in the probably in Llandaff, now a town near country’s history. His veneration from the capital city of . Teilo served Wales extended to , , as abbot and bishop in Llandaff where Brittany and neighbouring regions. he headed a monastic school and built The ancient shrine of Teilo, along with the first cathedral church. 1,000 monks his skull, survive at studied in Llandaff under Teilo at the to this day and attract pilgrims. What same time. is believed to be his tomb with the Later, after many years of successful main relics stands to the right of the preaching, Teilo transferred his high altar and his head relic is kept in diocese to Llandeilo. The foundation the chapel which bears his name and of monasteries in Penally and other is housed in a specially constructed sites in Wales is attributed to him. This reliquary. For many centuries it was a holy man established many churches custom to take an oath on the saint’s and communities in various districts of shrine. The shrine of Teilo at the ca- the country, especially in South Wales. thedral was opened in 1850 and also Llandeilo Fawr along with numerous earlier in 1736 by an architect and it smaller communities established by turned out that the saint’s remains 23 February - March 2017 British and Irish Saints

Llandaff Cathedral

along with his episcopal crozier, cross, his main monastery, served as abbot chalice and other items were intact. A and bishop, lived as a hermit. The statue of this saint today can be found town church is dedicated to its founder. in the west front of the cathedral. It is medieval by origin but was rebuilt Some parts of Llandaff Cathedral are in 1850. After repose of Teilo the from the twelfth century; though this Llandeilo Fawr Abbey continued to church was heavily damaged during develop. Around the ninth century a the Second World War, it was restored beautiful and ornate Gospel, called “St in all its glory. St Teilo together with Sts Teilo’s Gospel”, was kept in Llandeilo. Peter and Paul, Dyfrig and Euddogwy Afterwards it was transferred to the is a joint patron-saint of this cathedral. English town of Lichfield where it is He is also a patron-saint of the Welsh displayed to this day. From 1290 on, on capital city of Cardiff. the orders of King Edward I an annual fair in honour of Teilo was held near From a considerable number of the church in Llandeilo. Fragments of churches dedicated to St Teilo in Wales two Celtic crosses (date to c.900) are most can be found in - kept in Llandeilo church. There is a shire, Pembrokeshire and . holy well of St Teilo near the church. Churches and toponyms that bear his name are also scattered in Cornwall, In the coastal village of Penally Devon and Brittany. The modern where the saint was born, a church is Anglican Diocese of St Davids alone dedicated to Sts Nicholas and Teilo. has twelve churches dedicated to him. Among its treasures there are a ninth- Quite a few schools are named after century fine high Celtic cross and a him. smaller ancient stone cross. In the Middle Ages there was a monastery Today Llandeilo is a little town in here which preserved a portion of his . Here Teilo founded relics. From the fourteenth century till 24 A Teenager’s Meeting with God February - March 2017 the Reformation it was a convent. It is known that formerly over twenty places in Wales bore the name that means “church of Teilo”. No fewer than forty-five toponyms in Britain and Brittany comprise the name of Teilo. The saint is depicted on stained glass windows of a number of churches of Wales, for example, at the Holy Trinity Church in Abergavenny. A thirteenth-century church in the Head relic of St Teilo at village of Llantilio-Crossenny in Llandaff Cathedral is dedicated to St (photo from Flickriver.com) Teilo. Due to its large size it is often nicknamed a “baby cathedral”. In this Small portions of his relics may still spot a battle between a king of Gwent be preserved in several localities of and pagan Saxons took place in the Brittany. sixth century. St Teilo took a cross, Dmitry Lapa stood on the hillock and began to pray. Source: www.pravoslavie.ru/english/90880. And under the effect of his prayer the htm Saxons scattered.

A TEENAGER’S MEETING proach is needed for teenagers. Cer- WITH GOD tainly there is no recipe. And thank God! We are all different, and our In the teenage years a person finds himself at children are all different. Therefore the crossroads: He is reevaluating what his we must approach everything with dis- parents have already managed to teach him, cernment. Everything that is done and is looking for his “own way”, his own ap- spoken without discernment can lead proach to truth. How can we talk to young to extremely sorrowful spiritual conse- people about the Church? How can we find quences… There is no virtue without the right words and not drive them away? discernment. How must we ourselves spiritually prepare ourselves for this dialogue, which is not so In beginning a conversation with a simple? Archpriest Alexander Ovcharenko teenager, a parent, an adult, or a priest answers these questions. should first of all (of course it all de- pends upon the circumstances, the How to talk with children about the time, or the incident leading up to the Church… If this is still possible to do conversation) find himself - the self with little children, then a special ap- 25 February - March 2017 A Teenager’s Meeting with God

living, and firm faith in holy children it can be assessed only as the action of special grace. It is very hard to speak to children about faith, especially to teenagers… These are very special people, with whom we cannot speak just for fun, or use clichés and dead images. After one minute of boredom they will already who stands before God in the mystery be in another world, and in five min- of confession or in rare minutes of at- utes, they will have run away from us. tentive prayer and feeling the presence But this does not mean that we should of God. This is something that must play with them and entertain them. I be remembered - I must remember repeat, only sincerity and only respect myself, who I am in reality, without for the person we’re talking with (and I the masks; and this is the state that I emphasize, respect), I would even say must be in before talking with children. acceptance of him as an equal in con- Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, versation and not some stupid kid, has we all wear many masks - “teachers”, any effect. “leaders”, “sufferers”, “experienced”, and so on. These masks, these disguises First we must establish a mutual re- are deliberately false clothing over our lationship, and only then mutual ac- personalities. Teenagers feel this false- tion (that is, we must first establish the ness very acutely and quickly. It is vital proper human relationship in order to that the moment of conversation bear have a successful conversation). And a sincere character of concern, caring, everyone has his own individuality. pain - not for ourselves but for them! We mustn’t cite morals to them. An There is a great difference! improper sermon or ostentatious piety repels the teenager from God and the The faith of children is still only “mama Church. Words must be simple and ac- and papa’s faith” - because they “have cessible. Christ preached to His apos- to” have it, so that they won’t be scold- tles and to the people in parables that ed, or (in the teenage years) out of iner- they could understand. If we hit the tia if they went to church from infancy. teenager over the head with the Gos- They have not yet had the personal pels, his instinct of “self-preservation” Meeting, that one and only, amazing in his teenage world will kick in. But Meeting, which should happen in their if we do not force or pressure him we lives. This is a rare, exclusive event, one then give him an opportunity to open could even say a unique event, and, up to us and meet us half way. We must undoubtedly, when we observe a real, not “herd” children into the Kingdom 26 A Teenager’s Meeting with God February - March 2017 of Heaven, but rather we should try to In general, any conversation about faith befriend them. It would be good to find should begin not with theological points out their interests and problems, that but with the right heart. Remember is, begin a simple conversation “heart the words of the apostle Paul in his first to heart”. And then there will be plenty epistle to the Corinthians? Howbeit of bridges that would lead to conversa- that was not first which is spiritual, but tion about the “one thing needful”. that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual (1 Cor. 15:46). For example: A cup was shattered. Children were playing. One second, and the child’s gaze is searching for support - just a moment ago he was sinless and happy (the fiftieth Psalm is not appropriate here), but now he is worried; he’s not frightened yet but he’s already expecting… What is the child expecting? What might he hear from us? There are in fact only two possibilities. The first is his parents’ fury and rage, then punishment - and as a result, fear, paralysis of It’s better not to pre-digest everything; thought and feelings, and finally, it’s better to give spiritual food from in the future, weakness of soul. No the heart and then leave it - give the conclusions were drawn whatsoever. youngster the opportunity to think for We are hasty in punishing children, himself, suffer, contemplate, and come and as a rule we punish them not for to his own conclusions. Of course, it moral transgressions (laziness, deceit, is an art to direct Him to Christ; but baseness, cowardice) but because they there is no other way. If we truly want kept us from “relaxing”, or we’ve them to become real believers we have lost something. And second: What a to take risks. But that’s how it is for wonderful opportunity for the adult, for anything. We always have to differen- the parent, is this spontaneous example tiate between their ages - this is very in life. How can we set priorities? We important. It also makes a big differ- have to take advantage of them and ence whether it is a boy or a girl. There show what is most important. For are specific points. We have to recog- example. The younger one broke the nize their right to their own choice and cup, and the older sister cleans it up. mistakes. God Himself has granted We can suggest to the younger one that this right, in the form of their free and he should thank his sister and kiss her unique souls. This is a priori. on the cheek; that he should not be 27 February - March 2017 Cathedral Newsletter 30 years ago afraid to admit his mistake and know them never to make mistakes or commit how to correct it. We can teach him sins; this is impossible in principle. that he should be careful with things - They act as did the inexperienced, after all, he has to keep his conscience inattentive, self-assured Eve. They clear with respect to God, people, and think that the whole world lies at their things. This of course applies more to feet, and they want to try sin “with the older children. And for the older their teeth”. However, it is one thing children it will be a good example of to spit it right out, but another thing love and helping others, as well as a to reach for the next “fruit”. Here we good exercise - don’t count your merits can succeed in building a foundation, a and good deeds. A cup is a little matter, backbone, which will someday be our but great benefit can come out of it. children’s support; and we hope that they will make their choice in favour of In any case, it is not your company but goodness and virtue. his friends’ company that interests the teenager, and you have to recognize Archpriest Alexander Ovcharenko that that’s how it is; it’s obvious. But our (Translation by Nun Cornelia (Rees)) conversation should be heart to heart, Source: pravoslavie.ru, images were taken from and then the youngster cannot but feel pravmir.ru this and appreciate it. We cannot force

Cathedral Newsletter 30 years ago

also be published (questions can be December 1987, № 193 published anonymously if you wish). We will also endeavour each month 1987: JUBILEE YEAR to print the photograph of an icon on FOR THE ICONS the front page. In 787 the Church held a General As the Diocese of Sourozh, we are Council in Nicaea, the Seventh, and fortunate to have a teacher in the clarified its thinking and practice person of our patron saint – Stephen, concerning Church art. In this twelfth Archbishop of Sourozh, whose feast centenary year of the Council, we we celebrated on Sunday 15/28th will present a number of aspects of December. His defence of the icons this teaching on the pages of the against Iconoclasm took him to the Newsletter; at the same time, we are capital, Constantinople, where he is inviting our readers to send their said to have sternly admonished the comments and questions on this Emperor himself, Leo the Isaurian, subject, which - when relevant - will who was fighting the use of icons in 28 Cathedral Newsletter 30 years ago February - March 2017

Church. St Stephen was imprisoned for his outspokenness, and suffered much torment in captivity. When he was finally released, he returned to his diocese in the - an acknowledged confessor of the Orthodox faith, as he is known today. As a young man, St Stephen received an excellent education in Constantinople and, like so many before him (St Basil and St Gregory in particular), took the monastic profession and withdrew into the desert for the next thirty years of his life. When Patriarch Germanos eventually called him to become a bishop, he emerged from the St Stephen of Sourozh desert endowed with the theological consciousness of a true teacher of the went to defend so fiercely as soon as Church. he left the desert? Indeed, the ground What does a hermit learn in the of our deepest being is the Risen Lord desert? His life of prayer is made of Christ, Jesus our God, who saves us repentance and of contemplation. from death by giving us a share of His Among the bare stones and the life. animals of the desert, the hermit The icon of Christ is a true witness discovers the existential ground of his of His Risen life and of His abiding being, he discovers God in the depth presence. Contemplation of the Holy of his existence, his Origin and his Face fills us with the certainty of the Goal. May we see a link between this Resurrection, every day of our life. momentous personal discovery and Fr Michael the art of the icon, which St Stephen

For Reflection

It is better to pray with good will for our neighbor, rather than to denounce him for every sin. (St. Mark the Ascetic, Homilies, 1.132)

29 February - March 2017 Interview with Kira Clegg

Interview with Kira Clegg In the previous issues of the Newsletter we featured an interview with Alexandra Smirnova - a lady familiar to many of the long-time parishioners who for many years have been taking care of our Parish and the Diocese with their efforts and prayers. Kira Clegg with her cousins One of Alexandra’s good acquaintances was Kira Clegg, or have been marking 300 years of the simply Kira, as everyone used to presence of the Russian Orthodox call her. She belonged to the first Church in Great Britain, it seems generation of Russian immigrants in somehow appropriate to talk about a Great Britain. The surname ‘Clegg’ good and spiritual person named Kira is well-recognised within political Clegg. and medical circles of British society. However, this is not the reason why For many years Kira was under the Kira is so dear to our Parish. For many pastoral care of Archbishop Anatoly years she was somehow warming helping him with translations of people’s hearts with her quiet and letters and sermons into English. friendly disposition. She was disposing Thanks to the translated sermons a people to be friendly with each other, book came about. It was published by and I remember well how she was another spiritual daughter of Vladyka finding it sadly ironic when people – the nun Seraphima. Both of these were frittering their values away. I devout women have already reposed must admit that for me it was precious to the Lord: Kira died on 5th August to find a person who did not lose 2005, on the day of the icon of the her faith in the possibility of good Mother of God of Pochayev. Sister and sincere communication between Seraphima passed away in 2008 people. on August 4th, which is the day of commemoration of St Mary This is how the idea of interviewing Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles. Kira came to my mind. The interview We hope that we will manage to talk got published in the July 1999 issue about her in the future issues of the of the Newsletter. Much water has Cathedral Newsletter, but today we passed under the bridge since then shall talk about Kira. and unfortunately Kira is not with us anymore. Nevertheless, as we - Kira, please tell me about your 30 Interview with Kira Clegg February - March 2017 life in Russia or, more precisely, in Estonia which was part of the Russian Empire at the time. - Well, it’s not exactly like that. Until the age of three and a half I lived in Beryozovaia Rudka – it’s in the Ukraine, in Poltava region, on the estate which belonged to my grandfather – Ignaty Platonovich Zakrevski. He was a famous lawyer in the Senate. There Every winter we visited our is an interesting fact in his biography: grandmother in . at the time of the Dreyfus affair he Our last visit there took place during became indignant with the whole thing the winter of 1917-1918 after the and wrote a letter in French to “The Revolution had begun. We lived in Times” in London (it was published Mohovaya Street and every Sunday as an original) where he criticised we went to Shpalernaya Street to visit the French authorities. This was our grandmother. Also, every Sunday considered imprudent for a Russian my governess took me to the Russian senator because the relationship church. I think she was instructed to between France and Russia at the time do so by my grandmother. We went was quite difficult and he was forced to someone’s domestic chapel, not far to leave his post. My grandfather from Mohovaya Street. supported the French writer Emil Zola who also spoke in defence of Dreyfus. - How old were you when the Rev- olution took place? When I was almost four years old I was sent to Estonia together with my - I was eight. When we were planning governess where I stayed on the estate to go back to Estonia all the borders of the Benckendorfs. My mother’s were already closed. We left in a horse- sister, my aunt, was married to one of drawn carriage accompanied by a the Benckendorfs. gentleman. At that time the Germans occupied Estonia. My uncle was there. - What language did you speak? My aunt remained with her sick mother - Predominantly English but, of course, in Saint Petersburg. Immediately after we had to speak Estonian as my uncle Russia, Estonia had its own revolution. was a Baltic German, my aunt was All the landowners were deprived of Russian, my governess was English, their land (until then the land belonged and this is why we had to learn all these to Baltic barons; some of them were languages at the same time. married to Russians like my uncle, for example). 31 February - March 2017 Sacrament of Holy Unction

My uncle had a big estate which was forest. By us I mean my cousins who taken from him, and we had to move were younger than me, our Russian to a small house situated in the forest. nanny, an English governess and my It was a beautiful place! You see, the uncle. Once my uncle went to see his Estonians deprived their landowners former estate and was shot. We went of the big estates but they still left them to look for him and found him dead on with a little bit of land. That revolution the road. However, we still continued wasn’t bloody but still there were un- to live in that little house… Eventually, rests and shooting. Estonia became an independent state. For several years we lived in the deep To be continued.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY UNCTION Dear Brothers and Sisters! The rite of the Sacrament of Holy Unction during Great Lent begins with General Confession. During Lent in the Dormition Cathe- dral the Sacrament of Holy Unction at the neck to permit anointing of the chest, will take place every week: sleeves should be short so that the oil does 4th week, Thursday, 23rd March, not come into contact with them. 6pm, General Confession in English. If you are holding a candle, please give it 5th week, Thursday, 30th March, to your neighbour when the priest comes to 6pm, General Confession in Russian. anoint you so that it does not get in the way. Holy Week, 12th April, Great You may bring some cotton wool to wipe off Wednesday Matins, 5:30pm excess oil. This you may take home with you to anoint yourself or family members at Sacrament of Unction, 6:30pm, times of illness. It should be burned when General Confession in Russian. it is no longer of use. Children of 7 years or under, who do not yet During Lent it is blessed to participate in participate in Confession, do not participate the Sacrament of Holy Unction only once. in Holy Unction. It is essential to determine in ad- During the Mystery of Holy Unction, the vance the date of your participa- faithful are anointed with the holy oil on tion in the Sacrament of Unction the forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, chest, and to record your name at the and both sides of the hands. It is important candle desk or in the bookshop to come dressed appropriately. Hair and for commemoration during the scarves should be arranged so as to leave the sacrament. face open, shirts and blouses must be open 32 For children and about the children February - March 2017 For Children and about the Children

THE ARCHITECTURE OF OUR CHURCH – a creative assignment for the pupils of the Parish School The building of our cathedral is more than 150 years old. It is a former Anglican church. The west front of the church façade is a faithful copy of the façade of the basilica of Saint Zeno in Verona (). In creating their artwork the pupils of the Parish school were trying to replicate the external architecture of our church. All the wall paintings of the Dormition Cathedral were completed using the sgraffito technique, which literally means scratching. In order for the pupils to understand the experience of the artists who decorated our church, the Parish school teachers proposed that the children tried to work using this scratch-work technique. The editorial team of the “Cathedral Newsletter” selected a few of the children’s creative works to be published in the February issue.

Petrova Anna, 5th grade

Lloyd Sophia, 4th grade

Shmatko Lora, 4th grade Khristov Arseniy, 4th grade

33 February - March 2017 For children and about the children

CHRISTMAS IN YOUR HEART the best choice of a story to glorify the Nativity, because it is essential With the blessing of Archbishop that our hearts glow with the light Elisey of Sourozh, a Nativity perfor- of love that fills the whole world at mance was staged by the children’s Christmas-tide. Parish school. During the Soviet era, Andersen’s Preparations for the performance original text of this wonderful began in September: the teachers, fairy tale was severely censored. together with the parents of pupils, All mention of God was removed. designed theatrical sceneries, wrote Fortunately, those times have gone the scripts, held rehearsals, perfected and now we can read the translation actions and speeches, chose back- of the author’s original text. ground music and recorded audio and visual effects. We are grateful to In this tale Kay is a proud and clever God for giving us a chance of meet- boy who would accept nothing apart ing Svetlana Hvorostovksy and for from the rational way of thinking. the experience of working with her On the other hand, Gerda is a for many years. Svetlana taught us humble, kind-hearted and sincere everything. girl who loves God. She grows roses, since roses were mentioned in psalms We wanted ‘Snow Queen’, the most that she knew by heart, and reads Christian of winter fairy tales, to the Gospel with her grandmother. reach the hearts of every spectator. Andersen makes us understand why We were hoping to convey the most it was Kay who was kidnapped by important message of the fairy tale: the Snow Queen and why it was love for one’s neighbours. This is Gerda who was able to rescue him. 34 For children and about the children February - March 2017

Saint Innokenty Veniaminov, whose with Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh’s 220th anniversary is celebrated Christmas congratulations. All the this year, said: ‘Education of the children present were given sweets mind always must follow behind by His Eminence and a group photo the education of heart. Filling with all the participants of the the mind with pure knowledge performance was taken. without developing the spiritual and I would like to conclude my article moral side of human personality, with the words of the final scene of as is done in most contemporary the fairy tale: secular educational establishments, creates the danger of young people ‘Take note of the beauty being carried away by the deadly around, rationalisations of the “civilisers”, Truth and goodness treas- leading to the corruption of the ure, morals of the nation and, as a result, Others surround with your to its spiritual death.’ love, Kay is an educated boy who was close And let Christmas into your heart!” to death, however the tireless prayers of Gerda helped to save him. The Elena Poplavskaya, little girl managed to fight against a Head of the Parish School . whole army of snowmen. Kneeling down, she read the Lord’s Prayer. In his other fairy tale, Andersen said, ‘Everything that a human can ask is contained in one short prayer, the “Our Father”. It is a drop of divine mercy, a God-given pearl of comfort. It is put into a child’s cradle, next to his heart, like a most precious gift. My dear child, guard it as the apple of your eye. Never lose it, even when you grow up, and you will never get lost on the confusing paths of life. This prayer will be glowing inside of you and you will never perish!” Following the performance, the harp was played magnificently and the Parish children’s choir sang Christmas carols in Russian, Ukrainian and English. The festive celebrations concluded 35 February - March 2017 For children and about the children

Cathedral Newsletter is published with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh

Online-version is available via the diocesan website: www.sourozh.org E-mail: [email protected] We welcome your stories of finding faith, conversion, pilgrimages etc. If you would like to leave feedback or contribute content to the Newsletter, please contact us at the above address. We are always happy to hear from our readers. Any donation to support the work of the church, however small, is welcome. You can donate by: • Cash to the church collection boxes • Online via the diocesan website www.sourozh.org (click «Donate») • A cheque or a bank transfer to Lloyds Bank Account Name: Russian Orthodox Church in London – Rfrbshmnt Account no. 01911504 Sort Code: 30-92-89 BIC: LOYDGB21393 IBAN: GB28 LOYD 3092 8901 9115 04 36