On Sunday, we took part at the service held in the Dormition Cathedral and it was our last liturgy on British soil. A large congregation prayed there on that day, the church was full, including a lot of children. Metropolitan’s choir sang wonderfully. Nana, the Russian ambassador’s spouse who we met earlier, stopped by to greet us. Mr. Ambassador was present at the service as well and, during our informal meeting, we found him to be open-minded and easy-going. He rejoiced at the opportunity to venerate the holy relics and meet us again. The Ambassador said that, ever since the Diveyevo delegation visited the Embassy last year, a vigil lamp stays lit before the icon of Venerable Seraphim there.

After the Holy Communion, we received an invitation to climb the bell tower. It is quite tall and offers a striking view of the city. Overall, it is a well-equipped bell-tower with a complete set of bells. One of the Diveyevo sisters decided to have a ringing session with the local bell-ringers who came to look at the bell-ringer from Diveyevo. All of the the bell-ringers indicated their desire to visit our monastery in the nearest future.

Father Dimitry, the Diocesan Secretary, blessed us to join the parishioners for a conversation on Sunday. The meeting lasted almost two hours and our hosts would not let us go. Mother Irina shared stories about the saints whose relics we brought to England. Olga, one of the attendees, said that a friend of her mother had personally met a blessed elder Anna (Bobkova) and promised to invite her to come along the next day to let her share the story of her encounter with us.