On Sunday 4 October 2026, the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Saint Paul's Church in Bedford.
The Divine Liturgy was led by the parish priest, Fr Borislav Kovačević, concelebrated by Archpriest-Stavrophor Nikola Kotur, retired parish priest of Oxford.
After the reading of the Gospel passages and the Divine Liturgy, Fr Borislav addressed the gathered faithful with an appropriate sermon, interpreting the Gospel message for the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross and the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Speaking on the Lord’s words that whoever wishes to follow Him must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Him, Fr Borislav stressed that every Christian is called to bear his own cross in life with faith, patience and hope in the Lord. Especially in times filled with trials, uncertainty and spiritual unrest, a Christian is called not to lose sight of Christ, but to remain faithful to Him and to walk in His path through all of life’s trials.
Reflecting also on the Gospel account of the miraculous catch of fish and the calling of the Apostle Peter, Fr Borislav reminded the faithful that every true spiritual struggle begins with trust in the Lord and obedience to His word. Just as the Apostle Peter, despite human faintheartedness and failure, let down his nets once more at Christ’s word, so every believer is called not to rely solely on his own strength, but on the grace of God.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of Holy Communion as the centre of Christian life, with the point made that without communion with Christ in the Holy Eucharist, no spiritual struggle can bear its full fruit. It is precisely from partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ that the believer draws the strength to bear his cross, to contend with his weaknesses and to persevere on the path of salvation.
