Greatest, most joyful Holy Day of Christ's Resurrection solemnly celebrated in our parish of St. Andrew the Apostle.
Paschal Matins, which are traditionally served in the town of Corby, this year was even more festive in the setting on the newly renovated Church. As well as Serbs, our Orthodox brothers and sisters joined us in large numbers: Russians, Bulgarians, Romanians and Poles bringing with them Easter eggs and other fare to be blessed.
A dignified toll of bells announced the Resurrection of Christ, Proto Radmilo and all believers chanted together "Your Resurrection, Christ our Saviour ..." as they undertook the three-time procession around the temple.
At the end of Paschal Matins, the Easter eggs and other fare was blessed, and beleivers were greeted with words of the most joyful tidings:
"Christ is Risen - Indeed He is Risen!"
At the conclusion, believers kissied the icon of Christ's Resurrection and received blessed Easter eggs.
Sacfred Easter celebrations continued with Divine Liturgy at St. Paul's Church in Bedford.
Although the Church is of spacious dimensions, it was filled with the faithful who came to join prayers on this most joyful feast.
Easter Liturgy was served by parish priest Radmilo Stokić, accompanied by the harmonious response of the choir. The Epistle was read by Dragan Simic, and Petar, Danilo and Marko Simic served at the altar. Momcilo Novakovic, Stanislav Smiljanić and Aleks Ilić watched over the candles, while President Lazo Govoruša and Miša Simić administered beleiver's donations to the Church and sales of candles.
At the conclusion of the sacred Easter Liturgy, Proto blessed the painted easter eggs brought in by believers who would take tham back to their homes for the traditional "egg conking".
Before reading the Patriarch's Pascha Encyclical 2018, Proto Radmilo read the text of a special Award, which he presented (together with the diptychus) to Mišo Simić from Bedford as a mark of gratitude for 32 years of service which he had dedicated to the parish of At Andrew the Apsotle as its president, and a long-standing member of the episcopal asselmbly of the British-Scandinavian Diocese. The same Award will be presetned to Ivan Jovičić (another long-time member of the parish ddministration) who was not present.
These Awards were presented with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Dositej!
Prota explained that our Chirch established the Order of the Holy King Milutin, which is given to those who made a great contribution to the construction of temples, since the Holy King Milutin had built over 40 Orthodox churches and monasteries during his lifetime.
This was the first time that this Order was presented to someone in Britain. He read aloud the text; "At the bequest of the His Grace Bishop Dositej of the British - Scandinavian Episcopate... The Award of the Holy King Milutin is granted to Mr Momčilo Novaković from Bedford "! This is a great acknowledgment of Mr Momcilo Novakovic, as a long-serving member of the parish board in the role of treasurer.
Worthy - Axios!
This was a great and gracious surprise, both for all present and for the recipients of Awards and the Order.
To the sacred chants from the choir of "Christ is Risen from the dead ..." the painted and blessed easter eggs were shared among the faithful, where celebrations continued in their homes by "egg conking" with the greeting: "Christ is Risen, Indeed He is Risen!" in observance of this our most joyous holy day.
And we all salute you with sincere tidings:
"Christ is Risen - Indeed He is Risen!"
Easter photo gallery: Protonica Seka and Stanislav Smiljanic