Archdiocesan Clergy Meeting in Walsingham, 28 February 2025
On Friday, 28th February, His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan, together with many clergy of our Archdiocese (some accompanied by their wives), gathered for a meeting in Walsingham. The village of Little Walsingham has been a significant pilgrimage site since medieval times, following the appearance of the Mother of God to Richeldis de Faverches, the Lady of the Manor in the area. She was instructed to build a shrine in the form of the Holy House in Nazareth, where the Annunciation took place. A holy well was also discovered at the site, and it became a place of devotion for many Christians. Despite its destruction during the English Reformation, the shrine and the well were re-established in the 20th century. It continues to be one of the most visited holy sites in the British Isles, beloved of Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and Anglicans alike. It has also been particularly significant for the growth of the Orthodox Church in the British Isles over the last several decades.
Although the meeting was intended in part to enable the clergy and their Bishop to meet in harmony and strengthen the bonds of their fellowship, the day was nevertheless filled with activity. The full program of the event was as follows:
10:00 am
Paraklesis to the Mother of God in the Orthodox Shrine served by Fr Alexander Haigh Jr
11:15 am
Visit to Mother Melangell in her skete
12:00 pm
Bring and Share Lunch at the Garden Room of the Orthodox St Seraphim's Pilgrimage Chapel
1:00 pm
Meeting of His Eminence with the clergy to discuss common pastoral matters and answer questions.
3:00 pm
Great Vespers for the Feast of St David of Wales, followed by the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness at St Seraphim’s Chapel, served by Fr Dmitry Ismagilov and Dcn Ephraim Haddad
4:30 pm
Departure from Walsingham
Here you can read a detailed account of how the day unfolded:
The day in Walsingham began with the service of Supplication to the Theotokos at the Orthodox Shrine of the Mother of God of Walsingham, which is housed within the main Anglican Shrine. At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence addressed the clergy with a short homily on the significance of pilgrimage. Sayedna emphasised several reasons why pilgrimages are vital. Firstly, a visit to a holy place can be transformative for the spiritual life of a person by the work of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, because we may have a personal matter we need to pray for. But, most importantly, we should also ask God to purify our hearts and help us fight the passions. Thus, being in a holy place aids in spiritual purification and strengthens one’s struggle to live according to the Lord’s commandments. While pilgrimages to renowned holy sites are beneficial, His Eminence particularly stressed that it is the duty of the clergy to cultivate their parishes into places of pilgrimage. This means making each parish a place where the faithful are drawn to attend services frequently, experiencing the sanctity of the space and their own spiritual renewal. He encouraged the clergy to strive for this vision in each of their parishes.
Following the Paraklesis, His Eminence, accompanied by several clergy, visited the Orthodox Christian nun, Mother Melangell, at her skete in the heart of Walsingham for a conversation.
At noon, Metropolitan Silouan and the clergy relocated to the Orthodox pilgrimage chapel of St Seraphim, also located in Little Walsingham. This chapel, currently maintained by St Seraphim’s Trust, has served as a pilgrimage centre for nearly 50 years and was historically a hub of traditional Orthodox iconography, promoted by Archimandrite David and Leon Liddament of blessed memory.
In the chapel’s garden, His Eminence and the clergy enjoyed a Cheesefare bring-and-share lunch, graciously hosted by trustees Marcus and Mariamni, who provided the space, facilities, and necessary arrangements. After the meal, Sayedna held a private meeting with the clergy, during which he shared his observations on the life of the parishes in the archdiocese and provided essential pastoral guidance. Concluding the meeting, His Eminence wished the clergy and their parishioners a blessed Great Lent, urging them to intensify their prayer lives and to encourage the faithful to do the same. He emphasised the connection between purification and prayer, saying that unless one strives to cleanse the heart of evil thoughts and sincerely repents of sins, prayer—no matter how frequent—will not lead to spiritual ascent.
The day’s programme concluded with the service of Great Vespers at St Seraphim’s Chapel. As the 1st of March marks the Feast of St David, Bishop of Menevia and Enlightener of Wales, parts of the service were dedicated to his memory. At the conclusion of Great Vespers, in preparation for the Sunday of Forgiveness, His Eminence led the Rite of Mutual Forgiveness with the clergy. Also present during the service were the relics of two great saints—St Raphael of Brooklyn and St Jacob of Hamatoura—which all clergy and faithful in attendance had the blessing to venerate.
This gathering was a truly blessed occasion, allowing the clergy to reunite with their bishop in one of the most revered holy sites of the British Isles.
May the Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us all, and may God grant us strength for the spiritual journey of Great Lent.
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