Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
October 4, 2002

HIS HOLINESS VISITED LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM

On the occasion of marking the 50^th anniversary of the consecration of the Serbian Orthodox church of Saint Sava in London (performed by Bishop Nikolaj Velimirovic of blessed memory), His Grace Dositej – the Bishop of Great Britain and Scandinavia, and Archpriest-Staurophor Milun Kostic – the head of the Saint Sava’s church in London, together with the clergymen and administration of the church invited His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle to participate in this important jubilee.

His Holiness gladly accepted the invitation and went to London accompanied with Their Graces Lavrentije – Bishop of Sabac/Valjevo and Dositej – Bishop of Great Britain and Scandinavia, and with his secretary Archdeacon Momir Lecic by JAT flight, on Thursday, September 26. London priests, archpriest-staurophor Milenko Zebic - Hierarchal Deputy and Prof. Dr. Vladeta Jankovic – Ambassador of FRY in the United Kingdom welcomed them at the London airport.

Therefrom, they went to the Saint Sava’s church, where numerous faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Church welcomed the Patriarch. After that the Doxology was served in honour of His Holiness.

Having been invited by the London Anglican Bishop Dr Richard Chartres, His Holiness and his escort attended a solemn evening service in the famous St. Paul’s Cathedral in London that same day, at 17:00. His Holiness was welcomed at the south door of the Cathedral and led to the altar in a procession. Bishop Dr Chartres welcomed him in the altar and His Holiness responded to this cordial welcome. Therefrom, His Holiness was taken to the throne of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and his escort were seated to his left and right. A young priest served the solemn evening service accompanied with an excellent male choir. Archpriest Milun Kostic was invited to read a part of the Acts 13:44-52 from the altar steps. Numerous faithful attended the evening service, as well as one delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church which happened to be in London at that moment, for fraternisation with the Anglican Diocese of Chelmsford.

After the first reception in the lodgings of the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the delegation went to attend another reception in the Sion College, founded by the old association of clergymen of the Diocese of London for the improvement of studies and friendship. The host of this reception was the president of the mentioned college, father Phillip Chester.

After that, Dr Chartres, the Bishop of London, hosted the Serbian Patriarch, his attendance, and other eminent guests at a dinner in his home, right next to the Cathedral, built in the middle of XVII century.

On the feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross, September 27, His Holiness served the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Saint Sava’s church and gave the Holy Communion to a large number of the faithful.

The same day the delegation went to Birmingham, some 300km north of London. Many clergymen and the faithful of the parish of Birmingham welcomed the Patriarch and his escort in the magnificent church of Saint Lazarus the Great Martyr, which Archpriest-Staurophor Milenko Zebic and his parishioners built by their contributions and joint efforts. Doxology was served here as well, at which Archpriest Milenko Zebic cordially welcomed the eminent guests, and His Holiness responded to the welcome. Afterwards, archpriest Milenko prepared a festive dinner for His Holiness and numerous guests.

On Saturday, September 29, His Holiness served the Holy Liturgy and gave the Holy Communion to numerous faithful again. Then His Holiness visited His Eminence Gregorios Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain (jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate) who prepared a solemn reception to our Patriarch. Afterwards, Doxology was served. Blessing the Greek people present, Archbishop Gregorios hosted the Patriarch and his escort at a dinner prepared for other numerous eminent guests.

In the afternoon solemn vigils were served in the Saint Sava’s church. The central event of this 50^th anniversary was marked on September 20, Sunday, by the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy. Apart from His Holiness 4 hierarchs more officiated at the Liturgy: Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain Grigorios, Bishop of Sabac and Valjevo Lavrentije, Bishop of Great Britain and Scandinavia Dositej and Bishop of Central Europe Constantine with ten priests and five deacons. At the suggestion of the authorised hierarch, Bishop Dositej, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church awarded archpriest Radomir Acimovic, parish priest of London, with the honour and right of bearing the thoracic cross. His Holiness also conferred the Saint Sava Medal of the Second Degree to Mr Takis Melodias, Greek by origin, great humanist and benefactor of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church was packed with the faithful, many of them stood outside His Royal Highness Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic with Princess Catherine attended the Liturgy, together with Prof. Dr. Vladeta Jankovic, and representatives of the Russian, Anglican, Coptic, Armenian and other Churches.

Afterwards, the Patriarch and his escort went to lunch at Bishop Nikolaj’s House, and then, in the afternoon a performance was prepared with lovely programme in Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall.

On Monday, September 30, having served the Holy Liturgy in the Saint Sava’s church, His Holiness visited the new building of the FRY Embassy in London. Prof. Dr. Vladeta Jankovic with his associates received and welcomed him and his attendance, and wished them pleasant journey back home.