Church of St Elisabeth The New Martyr

 

Fr Paul Blesses The New Church

 This morning I, along with Leah, James and Cllrs Ian Lewis and Paul Hayes, went along to the first service held in Rake Lane Cemetery’s Chapel by Fr Paul and his Russian Orthodox congregation.

James, myself and Fr Paul

The Chapel was blessed and officially turned into the Church of St Elisabeth, the New Martyr. The liturgy was beautiful and although we were standing for most of it I was mesmerised by the singing and chanting. Orthodox services are certainly different from the Roman Catholic Mass I usually attend but it is certainly fascinating to watch; I would encourage as many people as possible to pop along for one of their Sunday services, beginning at 9.30am, Fr Paul operates an open door policy and you will be most welcome.

After the service we had a ‘bring and share luch’ with the opportunity to get to know members of the congregation. It was at this point that we discovered James went to school with Fr Paul’s daughter’s fiancé, Andy, and the couple look set to be the first couple to marry in the church next July. Small world!

The whole congregation seemed delighted to be in their new home and I’m equally delighted that they have put this wonderful building back in use once again.