As a result of a decision of the Holy Synod of Constantinople arrived at in November, the parishes of the Exarchate for Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe, to which our parish of the Holy Prophet Elias in Devon has belonged for the past 10 years or so, are likely to be reorganised. At this stage it appears that we will be included in the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain and that therefore HE Archbishop Gregorios will become our bishop.
However, HE Archbishop John, who made a pastoral visit to the parish in July, has asked the priests of the Exarchate to join him Paris on 15thDecember to consider this development. Our parish priest, Father Porphyrios, intends is to take part in this meeting. He asks your prayers. The Deanery of Great Britain and Ireland website (http://www.exarchate.org.uk/) is a useful source of further information.’
A communique from the Council of the Archdiocese about this matter may be found here: http://www.exarchate.org.uk/communiqu%C3%A9-council-archdiocese-30th-november-2018 .