Fr. Michael took part in the fellow nationals conference in Brussels

On 21-22 of June a panel discussion "Russian Orthodox Church and fellow nationals in Europe: experience and future cooperation" took place in Brussels (Belgium). A representative assembly was organised with the initiative of the and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from Russia, Belgium, Greece, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Finland and other contires participated in the event.

Issues related to the pastoral care of the fellow nationals abroad and cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and non-governmental organisations were among those discussed at the conference. Fr. Michael Dudko, as a member of the fellow nationals in Great Britain coordination board, made a presentation on the situation in the United Kingdom.

Pictured: the lightning of the memorial candle in the Russian Embassy in Belgium on the 22nd of June, the day of the German assault on the Soviet Union.

Members of the parish went on pilgrimage to St. Kentigern's grave

Regular services took place on the 4th and 5th of June. The icon screen was installed in the Anderston-Kelvingrove church and Vespers and Liturgy were celebrated. After the Vespers a baby named Anne was baptised.

In the morning of the 5th on the Whitsun eye a Panikhida was served after the Liturgy for all reposed Christians.

As per the agreement with the dean of the Glasgow Cathedral archpriest Michael with the choir and parishioners visited the grave of the patron Saint, whose name is borne by the parish. A prayer service was celebrated at the burial place. It was the second time in the hundreds of years of history of the Cathedral when Russian orthodox singing was heard within its walls to celebrate the patron Saint of the city of Glasgow. The first time was during the visit of Bishop Elisey last year.

The pilgrims were told by the Cathedral staff that unfortunately there are neither relics of St. Kentigern there, nor even his reliquary. During the times of persecution in the middle of the previous millenium the relics were taken to Paris and were kept for a long time in one of the catholic monasteries. Later on it was burnt during the French revolution.

Picture: during the prayer service at the grave of St. Kentigern in the Glasgow Cathedral (apologies for poor quality).

Archpriest Michael Dudko spoke at the conference "Pushkin in Britain"

A panel discussion conference was organised as part of the largest contest among the Russian poets living abroad. The presentation "A poet in God's World" was dedicated to Pushkin's spiritual path.

Among those who spoke at the conference were Evgeny Sidorov, the Russian ex-minster of culture who now chairs the Writers' Council in Moscow, Ekaterina Geniyeva, the director of the Russian State Library of foreign literature, Sir Anthony Brenton, HM Ambassador in Russia (2004-2008).

Delegation from the Parish took part in the conference of the Diocese of Sourozh

Yearly conference of the Diocese of Sourozh took place on the 23rd - 25th of May. This year the subject of conference was "Church and the World".

A substantial delegation from the Parish of St. Kentigern took part in the conference. Deacon Michael, Sergey Sokolovsky (the warden) and three other members of the Parish (Anatoly, Andrey and Konstantin) were present. They have brought a portable icon screen, the Altar and Communion Table and other accessories for the service to the conferencewith the blessing of the Diocesan heirarchy. Members of the Parish were actively singing, Deacon Michael read from the Book of Epistles, canonical hours and Six Psalms, Sergey Sokolovsky was helping in the Altar during the Episcopal celebration.

Archpriest Michael, who serves the Parish, spoke at the conference on the subject of "Church and the world: two systems of values".

During the conference the delegation met with the Bishop Elisey of Sourozh. At the meeting the subject of the place of worship in Glasgow was discussed. Members of the delegation, headed by the warden of the Parish, explained the ruling bishop their position and informed him about the meeting of the Parish Council as well as its unanimous decision that the choice of the place of worship should be made by vladyka.

The services will be taking place in the premises of the Parish school Anderston-Kelvingrove until the permanent place is found as per the received blessing.

On the photo: at the conference during the celebration with the icon screen from our Parish on the background.

You can see more pictures from the conference in the photo gallery.

Victory Day was celebrated at the Parish

Two regular services were celebrated at the Parish of St. Kentigern. The evening service on the 8th of May and the Liturgy on the 9th of May took place in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Luke, where archpriest Michael from London conducts services with Bishop Elisey's blessing.

On the 8th of May a new member of the Parish was baptised - 4 years old Daniela, who received baptism with the name of Darya. After the Liturgy on the 9th of May a Panikhida was celebrated for the soldiers killed during the war and the only witness of the WW2 among the parishioners, Andrey Lobanov - Rostovsky, was presented with flowers and a hand-made cake.

Deacon Mark, who was recently consecrated and who took part in the service at the Church of St. Luke, celebrated his Saint's day. Parishioners congratulated him and sang "Many Years".

On the same day the Parish Council took place, where again the issue with the place of worship was discussed. Everyone was invited to express their opinion. The majority of the parishioners was in favour to continue worshipping at the Greek church, there were not many votes in favour of other churches and they were split almost equally.

The council decided unanimously to leave the final decision on the future place of worship to Vladyka Elisey, the ruling Bishop of the diocese.