On the 25th of January, by invitation of His Grace Nektarije, Bishop of London and Great Britain and Ireland (Serbian Orthodox Church), His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral Church in London. Concelebrating with Metropolitan Silouan and Bishop Nektarije was His Grace Hilarion, Vicar Bishop of Novo Brdo. Assisting the hierarchs in the service were the clergy of St. Sava’s Cathedral along with London-based clergy from our Archdiocese.
On this day (old calendar) the Orthodox Church commemorates the Icon of the Mother of God “She Who Gives Suck,” which St. Sava, the first Bishop of Serbia and patron of the Serbian Church in London, brought from the Monastery of St. Sava the Sanctified in Jerusalem to Karyes on Mount Athos. The hierarchical Divine Liturgy also marked the beginning of celebrations for St. Sava - patron of the Serbian Cathedral in London - whose memory is on the 27th of January.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Hilarion said a homily in which he reflected on the profound humility of our Lord Jesus Christ, who entrusted Himself to the care of the Holy Mother of God, making His human nature completely dependent on her as a child. He reminded the faithful to take such humility as an example of how we should entrust ourselves to God, who lovingly cares for each of us.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the hierarchs and clergy gathered in the centre of the church to chant the Apolytikion of St. Sava and venerate a piece of his precious relics.
After the service, His Grace Nektarije in the speech welcomed Metropolitan Silouan to St Sava’s cathedral and thanked the clergy for joining in this concelebration. As a gesture of brotherly love, he presented Metropolitan Silouan with an icon of St. Sava for prayerful remembrance.
In his response, Metropolitan Silouan congratulated His Grace Nektarije on his enthronement as Bishop of London, Great Britain, and Ireland, which took place on November 24, 2024. He wished him many fruitful years of service for the benefit of the Orthodox Church in this region. Metropolitan Silouan also expressed his joy in meeting and concelebrating with His Grace Hilarion.
Addressing the faithful, he congratulated them on the Feast of St. Sava and shared reflections on the saint’s life, including how St. Sava invited his own father to embrace monastic life and became his spiritual father. He encouraged everyone to cultivate a spirit of humility in their Christian journey.
Metropolitan Silouan also acknowledged the challenges of adapting to life in a new country, which Bishop Nektarije has to go through. He encouraged His Grace to carry this Cross of service with strength and to continue bringing people closer to the Orthodox Church. “In the end, this is what we are all called to do,” Metropolitan Silouan reminded, “no matter our ethnicity—whether Serbian, English, American, Greek, anyone — we are first and foremost Christ’s, belonging to One Holy Orthodox Church.” He concluded by wishing all the bishops and faithful many years.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by a festive lunch in the parish hall, where traditional Serbian food was served. This joyful fellowship provided an opportunity for the bishops and clergy to share some more time together and know each other better.
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