During the Divine Liturgy for the Eve of the Nativity Feast, which Abba Seraphim celebrated at St. Alban & St. Athanasius British Orthodox Church in Chatham, he addressed the issue of the secularisation  of Christmas. However, he believed it is important for Christians to emphasise the fact that they are not simply celebrating the Lord’s birthday – although “words cannot express the joy of new life” – but the incarnation of the Logos, the second person of the Holy Trinity, the Theanthropos, “begotten of His father before all ages”, for which St. John’s Gospel and the Nicene Creed jointly provide profound insight.

On Sunday, 17 December, following the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Christ the Saviour in Winton, Bournemouth, Memorial Prayers were said for the repose of the late King Michael I of Roumania, who died on 5 December, aged 96 years. Abba Seraphim, who presided at the service, spoke warmly of the late king’s character and the fact that in times of crisis and political change he had remained a constant and faithful monarch and had been widely regarded as a symbol of morality and committed service to his people. Although his reign (1927-1930 & 1940-1947) had ended with the abolition of the Roumanian monarchy, his legacy of peace by effecting Roumania’s withdrawal from the Axcis Alliance during World War II, undoubtedly saved many lives. The presence of the Prince of Wales at his funeral the previous day in Bucharest, which was attended by tens of thousands of mourners, highlighted the affectionate respect of the United Kingdom. Abba Seraphim felt privileged to lead prayers for the late King in solidarity with devout Roumanians who worship at the Bournemouth Church.