After the unexpected death of our Bishop, David, the Cusworth community were missing a church leader to pick up the day-to-day duties that fell on the shoulders of Abba David for so many years. Due to providence and the foresight of Abba David a successor was in training and was in the process of advancing from Sub-Deacon to Deacon with the expectation to become Priest later after more tutorage from Abba David.

As with many things in life things sometimes don’t go exactly as planned and with Abba David’s passing the need for a priest at Cusworth was essential to keep the needs of the dedicated community that Abba David had shepherded for so long to continue.

Mark, took up the responsibility of this task willingly and while was unable to receive his ordination to Deacon from Abba David as planned this summer, The British Orthodox Church synod decided to go ahead with a double ordination. As the tradition of the church dictates, only one major order can be performed to a candidate.

On the 5th August, Mark was ordained in the Holy Church as Deacon and on the morning of the 6th, he was Ordained to Priest in St. Thomas’ Church, Charlton by the hands of Abba James.

“This will be a blessing to the Cusworth congregation with a strong community focused leader at the helm. I wish Father Mark many years of great service.” – Abba James