On the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, which fell on the feast of St Chariton the Confessor, His Grace Bishop Nektarije of London and Great Britain and Ireland presided at the Eucharistic gathering at the Church of St Elijah the Prophet in Corby. Concelebrating with His Grace were the Very Reverend Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Vida Vuković and the Reverend Borislav Kovačević.
A particular joy at this gathering was the sacramental celebration of the Baptism of James Bayliss, through which our parish in Bedford welcomed a new member. Following a year of preparation for reception into the Orthodox Church, during which he was supported by his family, James was received into the Orthodox Church through the holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation. He continues his journey of discovering the Orthodox faith through theological studies at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop addressed the newly baptised James with a fitting pastoral exhortation, encouraging him to place every rise and fall in his life in relation to Christ: to give thanks in times of joy, and to seek strength and consolation in Him during trials and moments of weakness. He urged James never to lose heart on his journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven, but to persevere in faith and in the life of the Church, relying on the love and mercy of God.
Following the Liturgy, the gathering continued in the parish hall, where the dedicated ladies of the parish had prepared refreshments for everyone present.
In a warm atmosphere of fellowship, the faithful shared in the joy of the feast and welcomed their new brother in Christ.
