On May 27, 2024, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the secretary of the Surozh Diocese Archpriest Demetrius Nedostupenko and Priest Victor Akhryapin, rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Newcastle, attended the service and took part in the solemn meeting on the occasion of the great consecration of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle in the city, which was performed by His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Maxim Maximus III, Primate of the Malankara Church of India, who is on an official visit to the United Kingdom.
Holy Catholicos Basil Mar Maximus Matthew III.
Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, Administrator of the Diocese of Great Britain, Europe and Africa, clergy of the Church of India from parishes in Great Britain and Ireland, representatives of various Christian denominations, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Veronica Dunn, and numerous parishioners of the Malankara Church participated in the celebrations.
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After the consecration of the church and the divine service, the plaque was unveiled and a solemn part was held, which included speeches by His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III, Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, diocesan clergy, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, representatives of the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church.
After the consecration of the church and the divine service, the plaque was unveiled and a solemn part was held.
Greetings Archpriest Demetrius Nedostupenko, Archpriest of the Diocese of Surozh, was present to convey the greetings of Bishop Matthew, Administrator of the Diocese of Surozh. Highly appreciating the long-standing fraternal relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church of India, Archpriest Dimitriy emphasized that in the person of His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III, the Russian Orthodox Church has a good and faithful friend, and also noted his labors in the field of Christian witness. The clergyman donated to the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle a cruciform liturgical Gospel, published in English by the Publishing House of the Moscow Patriarchate with the participation of the Diocese of Sourozh, according to eparchial website.
the diocesan website.
At the end, there was a presentation of memorable gifts to the guests of the celebrations and a festive reception.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
