Please note that the Liturgy planned for 8th June in Coombe Martin will now be on June 22nd.
Vespers for St Brannock of Braunton will be served at 6 pm at St Brannock’s Church, Braunton. There will be no vespers served at St Anne’s Chapel that evening.
The schedule of services for June has now been added. Please note that there will be a liturgy at the chapel in Coombe Martin on Saturday 8th June.
Please also note the following changes to the upcoming schedule to services in and around the time of the Deanery Conference:
Wednesday 22 Mid-Feast of Pentecost:No Vespers
Deanery Conference Friday 24-Monday 27 May
Saturday 25 May: No Vespers
Sunday 26 May Sunday of the Samaritan Woman: No Liturgy
Wednesday 29 May :No Vespers
Dear all,
Just a reminder that as announced last Sunday, there will not be any services in St Anne’s Chapel this weekend due to the meeting called by Archbishop Jean in Paris, which Fr Porphyrios and Dn Peter will be attending.
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 .
Just a reminder that the church will be closed this weekend (October 20/21) and there will also be no Vespers service on Wednesday October 24th, but services will resume as usual from Saturday, October 27th.
On Sunday 15th July, during his pastoral visit to the parish, His Eminence Archbishop John of Charioupolis visited Archpriest John Marks and his wife, Dawn Marks, at their home in Combe Martin. His Eminence spoke appreciatively of Fr John’s many years of service to the parish and Deanery. Fr John remains a priest within the Archdiocese but is now retired and relieved of all responsibility for pastoral care and will not be taking services. His Eminence cited Fr John’s ill health for his decision and urged Fr John to rest. The church in Fr John’s house will continue as a private chapel but will no longer serve as a public church within the parish.
HE Archbishop John visited our parish last weekend, 14-15th July 2018.
Our patronal feast of the Holy Prophet Elias was especially significant this year as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beginnings of the parish. Fifty years ago the monastery church at Willand outside of Exeter was dedicated and fifty years ago Fr Nicanor was made a deacon.
Archimandrite Barnabas had been advised to come to the South West by Metropolitan Anthony. He put Archimandrite Barnabas in touch with Father Nicanor, who helped him settle in this area.
On Saturday evening, HE Archbishop John clothed Sister Sarah in the Riassa and Kamilavka. Sarah became a nun in the late 1950’s and she has lived as a solitary for the past 30 years or so, most recently on the edge of Dartmoor. She joined the Holy Orthodox Church and comes to our church for the Divine Liturgy each Sunday. It is a special joy for me to welcome her into our monastic fellowship.
On Sunday, HE Archbishop John served the Divine Liturgy and ordained Brandon Gallaher a deacon. Fr Patrick Hodson, Fr John Behr (St Vladimir’s Seminary, New York State), Fr Nicanor Wilkins, Fr Stephan Maikovsky, Fr Timothy Curtis and Hieromonk Porphyrios concelebrated. Protodeacon Peter Scorer and Deacon Alexey Kostyanovsky served and brought Brandon forward for ordination.
At the end of the Liturgy, HE Archbishop John gave Fr Nicanor the honour of having the Liturgy served with open doors up to the Lord’s Prayer, if he is participating in its celebration. He gave a gramota to Mrs Irina Scorer in recognition of her devoted service to the church over many years, as Director of the Choir.
HE Archbishop John then joined parishioners for lunch.
Later, Hieromonk Porphyrios took His Eminence to Combe Martin to meet Fr John Marks and his wife, Dawn. It was a very cordial meeting and a highlight of the weekend. His Eminence paid tribute to Fr John’s long and devoted service as a priest and visited the house chapel. Michelle Gallaher came and was on hand to translate.
Next day, Hieromonk Porphyrios and Deacon Brandon took His Eminence Archbishop John to Exeter airport for his return flight to Paris.
There is a short history of the parish for sale. Copies are available at St Anne’s Church and from Protodeacon Peter.
Hieromonk Porphyrios, Rector
HE Archbishop John of Charioupolis is making a pastoral visit to Exeter this coming weekend of 14th-15th July 2018, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Dedication of the Monastery Church at Willand and the beginnings of our parish. You are warmly invited to the following:
St Anne’s Church, Old Tiverton Road, Exeter
Saturday 14th July 2018
6.00pm: Vigil for the Patronal Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias. His Eminence will preside at the Vigil Service.
Sunday 15th July 2018
10.00am: HE Archbishop John arrives at the church.
10.30am: HE Archbishop John serves the Divine Liturgy and ordains a Deacon (Dr Brandon Gallaher).
1.00pm: HE Archbishop John joins parishioners for lunch at St James’ Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Exeter, EX4 7AH.
For the lunch, please bring food and drink to share. As it likely to be hot weather, it is advisable to transport your food in cool bags with added ice packs.
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