The first services of the parish of St Nicholas the Wonderworker were held on 9th-10th September, 2006, inaugurating the parish's life and its full schedule of services.

A full gallery of photographs of the first services and activities is now available on-line.

The parish's first Liturgy was attended by some eighty people, and was followed by a reception, coffee and a meal, and a meeting to welcome parishioners and friends. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a letter from Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun, temporary administrator of our diocese, was read to the assembled faithful. The text of this letter is found below.

Glory to God!

TO THE CLERGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER, OXFORD

Dear and Reverend Father Stephen; brothers and sisters in Christ!

'May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy; he that goes forth weeping, bearing the seeds for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him' (Ps. 125, 5-6). With these words, the psalmist comforted the children of Israel in their affliction. The same Lord who brought them from Egypt into the promised Land, who brought them back to Zion from exile in Babylon, will ultimately turn every bitter experience into good, provided that they remain faithful to Him.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us be sure that the same Lord will also turn our sorrow into joy. Let the bitter experiences of recent months cleanse our hearts from excessive attachment to earthly things, let them serve as a stimulus to seek more intensely 'the Kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Mt. 6, 33), and to place our hope not in our own poor efforts, but in His abundant grace. If we lay aside every proud and uncharitable thought, every condemnation of our brother or sister, then that grace will be able to work in and through us, and will bring a rich harvest.

With the founding of the parish of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Divine Providence calls you to open a new chapter in tlhe history of Orthodoxy of the Russian tradition in oxford. The life of its first priest, Hieromonk Nicholas (Gibbes), who was possessed of a deep love for Russia, for the Royal Passion-Bearers, the Tsar Nicholas and his family, and at the same time laboured to make the spiritual treasures of the Orthodox faith accessible to his fellow Englishmen, may serve as an inspiration and an example for you.

In the great University city of Oxford; where people come from all over the world to pursue academic studies at the highest level, you are called to bear humble witness to the faith of the fishermen-Apostles. Let the doors of your church and of your hearts be ever open to those whom the Lord sends to you, seeking salvation.

May the blessing of the Lord be upon you, now and always.

+ INNOKENTY

Archbishop of Korsun,
Temporary Administrator of the Diocese of Sourozh
10th September, 2006

Click here to open the PDF version of the letter in English and Russian...