Abba Seraphim was among a number of distinguished speakers at a day conference entitled, “Britain and the Early Church. Exploring the origins of British Christianity”, presented under the auspices of the Fellowship of Saint Alban & St. Sergius. The lectures were held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton in 14 July. A number of Orthodox jurisdictions were represented: Father Chrysostom MacDonnell (Antiochian Orthodox Deanery) spoke on “After the Romans Left”, tracing the cultural and religious growth of the Insular Church; Father John Nankivell (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira) led a discussion exposing the ‘myth’ of Celtic Christianity whilst Father Andrew Phillips (Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia) gave an extensive historical overview in  “The Saints of the Isles and the Isles of the Saints.” Academic contributions were made by Professor Paul Cavill of the University of Nottingham, who spoke on the “Veneration of the Cross in England” from its Constantinian origins; whilst Professor Michelle Brown of the University of London highlighted many exciting discoveries about cross-cultural links from ancient manuscripts. Abba Seraphim concluded with a talk, “Alter Orbis: British Christianity & the Roman Imperium.”  In his welcome to those attending, Father Stephen Platt, General Secretary of the Fellowship, commended Angelos Stanway, who had planned and organised the day single-handedly.  Members of the British Orthodox Parish at Portsmouth and Southampton Mission showed their support by attending.

In response to a congratulatory message sent to H.M. The Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, Her Majesty sent the following reply to Abba Seraphim:

Buckingham Palace

I send my grateful thanks to the Metropolitan, Priests and Officers of the British Orthodox Church, for their kind message of congratulations, sent on the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of my Accession to the Throne.

In return, please accept my good wishes for a most memorable and enjoyable Diamond Jubilee Year.

Elizabeth R.

5 July 2012

Abba Seraphim and Subdeacon Daniel Malyon attended the British Museum Colloquium, “Pagans, Christians and Muslims: Egypt in the First Millennium AD”, held on Monday & Tuesday, 9 & 10 July. On Monday evening Dr. Gawdat Gabra, former director of Cairo’s Coptic Museum,  delivered the Raymond & Beverly Sackler Foundation Distinguished Lecture in Egyptology on “New Insights into Christian Egypt”, followed by a reception in the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery.  

During his recent visit to the Bournemouth Parish of Christ the Saviour on 1 July, Abba Seraphim ordained two new subdeacons for the Portsmouth Parish, James Anthony Kelly and Anthony-Paul Holland. During the Liturgy Abba Seraphim was assisted by Father Simon Smyth and Subdeacon Daniel Malyon. Preaching to a full church on the Sunday Gospel (Luke X: 1-20) he draw parallels between our Lord’s commission to the LXX and the present mission of the church. Following the Liturgy Abba Seraphim chaired a parish meeting to explain the electoral process for choosing a new Pope & Patriarch, answered questions from the congregation and passed on Metropolitan Bakhomios’s invitation to all church members to express their opinion on the selection of the future patriarch.

Abba Seraphim was pleased to welcome to Bournemouth, Archimandrite Deiniol of the Wales Orthodox Mission of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who attended the Divine Liturgy. Afterwards Fr. Deiniol was able to chat to most of the people present.

George Alexander, Secretary & spokesman of Orthodox Cognate Page has announced  a ‘Save Eritrea’ Fasting and Prayer Exercise to be held on July 24,25 & 26 July 2012. 

“We request all of you to pray for the suffering Christians of Eritrea, especially for the detained Patriarch Abune Antonios. Hierarchy and Priests are hereby requested to remember Patriarch Abune Antonios and the Christians of Eritrea in Divine Liturgy. ” 

More information is available below

http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/2012/06/support-save-eriteria-fasting-and-prayer-exercise/

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https://www.facebook.com/events/309141395843456/

‘SaveEritrea’ Fasting and Prayer Exercise is joint initiative of COLT Crew and Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE.