On 10 April at the Downs Crematorium at Brighton, Abba Seraphim officiated at the funeral of Paul Gevriye (1956-2018), a Syrian Orthodox man from Sweden who died whilst staying with friends in England. Paul, whose baptismal name was Abdul Massih (Servant of the Lord) was originally from Aleppo. Having been approached to assist with the funeral, Abba Seraphim spoke of his happy memories of Aleppo before the civil war and his close friendship with Archbishop Mor Gregorios Youhanna Ibrahim of Aleppo, who had been kindnapped by Daesh (Isis) in 2013, but heard nothing of since. He also said that as the British Orthodox Church owed its origins to the goodness and generosity of Metropolitan Julius of Emesa (later Patriarch Mor Ignatius Boutros IV) there was a deep sense of gratitude to the Syrian Orthodox Church and any opportunity to be of service to its faithful was a privilege.

Abba Seraphim and Father James celebrated Holy Week and the Paschal Vigil Liturgy at St. Alban & St. Athanasius Church at Chatham, where Abba Seraphim preached on the Christian Hope of the Resurrection. It was also a great blessing to have Mrs. Jean Scuotto present at all the services, as she was taken ill while cruising in the Mediterranean on a New Year’s holiday and had to be flown to hospital in Portugal. Having made good progress, and through the mercy of God, she was flown back to her home in Chatham at the end of January, where prayers had been offered for her recovery at every service.

Abba David, assisted by Father Alexis Raphael, officiated at the Holy Week services at St. Mark & St. Hubert’s Church at Cusworth Village. During the Paschal Liturgy, Abba David tonsured Vladimir Sandis Roze to the Order of Reader for service at the Cusworth Church.