Information on the Diocese’s response to the war in Ukraine

Our Church stands wholly against the evil of the war in Ukraine, and strives in all ways to support our suffering Ukrainian brethren who are currently facing the horrors of bloodshed and various persecutions; and we stand against all nationalistic ideologies and any politicisation of religion or ecclesiology, despite renewed misrepresentation by media and politically-motivated sources. Please watch the video by our Ruling Bishop, His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, for a clear explanation of our Church’s position on these matters.

Our ROCOR (often referred to as ‘The Church Abroad’) is the self-governing inheritor of pre-revolutionary Russian Orthodoxy, independent in her administration and pastoral life since 1920 and headed by our Holy Synod and Primate, Metropolitan Nicholas, based in New York. Read a reflection by Metropolitan Nicholas on a meeting with US Congressmen and others in November 2025, on our Church’s freedom from government influence and support for peace the world over.

The Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe, following the Gospel, Holy Canons and pastoral tradition of the Church Abroad, abhors violence and warfare, and explicitly prays and works for the immediate end to the unjust bloodshed taking place in Ukraine — the spiritual homeland of all the faithful descendants of St Vladimir: the great baptiser of our Church. The Church Abroad, as an autonomous Church governed by her Holy Synod in New York, is not affiliated with any government or national identity, but, in the spirit of pre-revolutionary Imperial Russian Orthodoxy, centred in the diaspora for more than a century, calls firmly for the unity of all Orthodox Christians in the Church, regardless of nationality or language, and for the immediate end to the war currently dividing, wounding and killing our many peoples.

Since the outset of the war in Ukraine, our Diocese has prayed and worked — and continues to do so — for the immediate end to unjust hostilities, warfare and persecutions. Prayers are offered for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine at every service in every parish of the Diocese; and responses to the war have included the organisation of food banks for refugees, assistance in relocation and housing of refugees, provision of legal and social support, the organisation of summer camps for the children of refugee families, the pastoral provision of care for clergy and faithful arriving in Europe from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; as well as fundraising for the humanitarian works of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine itself, together with specific parishes and monasteries; and for the support of those seeking shelter in the territory of our Diocese.

Those wishing for more details on the Diocese’s activities in response to the war may read announcements outlining its extensive practical works on those suffering in and from the war in Ukraine (as well as older and more recent updates on the same); and for those wishing clarity on the issue of anti-Christian persecutions taking place within the broader context of the war may read Bishop Irenei’s open letter on the persecution of Christians in Ukraine.

Quick facts on the ROCOR’s autonomy and freedom from political ties

Our ROCOR (the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, often referred to as ‘The Church Abroad’) is the self-governing inheritor of pre-revolutionary Russian Orthodoxy, independent in her administration and pastoral life since 1920 and headed by our Holy Synod and Primate, Metropolitan Nicholas, based in New York. She is distinct from the Russian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate, headed by Patriarch Kyrill, though the nature of this distinction — as well as of the fraternal and canonical unity that unites all parts of the Orthodox world — is not always well understood by those outside it. Hence we provide a few key points to aid in this understanding:

The ROCOR, since 2007, has been in renewed fraternal Eucharistic Communion with all parts of Canonical Orthodox Christianity, including her patriarchates and local Churches throughout the world — for example, the Romanian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Antiochian and Moscow patriarchates, the Local Orthodox Churches of Greece, Ukraine, the Czech lands, and others (we invite you to learn more about the 2007 Act that re-established this communion, and to read its complete text). The ROCOR cherishes this Eucharistic and canonical communion in the worldwide unity of Orthodox Christianity, while at the same time she retains her full autonomy and self-governance. Her highest authority is her own local ROCOR Council of Bishops, under the guidance of the Synod of Bishops, based in New York, and headed by the Primate of the ROCOR, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, who resides in the Synodal Residence in Manhattan.

Emerging from the 1917-1918 revolution in Russia and the need for the Church to be free from all political interference, the ROCOR has as amongst her founding principles that she is linked to no State, government, or national interests, and diligently retains the freedom of the Church by refusing to permit of any such encroachments. The ROCOR’s dioceses encompass dozens of nations and principalities across the world — though none in the ‘old world’ Orthodox countries such as Greece, Russia, Serbia, etc. — and she attempts to maintain peaceful and fruitful interactions with the governments of all those lands, while never becoming linked to them. A good vision of this can be gained through reading a reflection by the ROCOR’s Primate, Metropolitan Nicholas, on a meeting with US Congressmen and others in November 2025, on our Church’s freedom from government influence and support for peace the world over.

More on the ROCOR’s history can be read here.

Welcome to our web site

Welcome to the official web site of the Church Abroad’s Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe. Dwelling and living in the Diaspora, this historic Diocese shares the rich treasures of Orthodox Christianity with all peoples, embracing the Orthodox history of these lands and the intercessions of our host of local Saints, in order to draw peoples of every nationality, tongue, age and race into the life of the Gospel that has been proclaimed in our Church for more than 2,000 years.

Latest News
The Parish in Stradbally, Ireland, staged its first parish Christmas children’s play. | Приходъ въ Страдбалли, Ирландія, впервые представилъ приходское рождественское дѣтское представленіе. | La paroisse de Stradbally, en Irlande, a présenté pour la première fois une représentation paroissiale de Noël interprétée par les enfants.
The Parish in Stradbally, Ireland, staged its first parish Christmas children’s play.
’A Star Shone in the Sky’: A Christmas play was presented by the Sunday School of the Luxembourg Parish. | «Возсіяла звѣзда на небеси»: Рождественскій спектакль былъ представленъ воскресной школой Люксембургскаго прихода. | « Une étoile a resplendi dans le ciel » : Un spectacle de Noël a été présenté par l’école du dimanche de la paroisse à Luxembourg.
’A Star Shone in the Sky’: A Christmas play was presented by the Sunday School of the Luxembourg Parish.
A new diocesan youth magazine, ‘Pokrov’, launches with publication of its first issue. | Вышелъ первый номеръ новаго епархіальнаго молодежнаго журнала «Покровъ». | Le nouveau magazine diocésain de la jeunesse, « Pokrov », publie son premier numéro.
A new diocesan youth magazine, ‘Pokrov’, launches with publication of its first issue.
A children’s Nativity performance of ‘The Snow Queen’ took place in the London Cathedral. | Въ Лондонскомъ каѳедральномъ соборѣ состоялось дѣтское рождественское представленіе «Снѣжная королева».
A children’s Nativity performance of ‘The Snow Queen’ took place in the London Cathedral.
The web site of the Diocese is now available in both traditional and new Russian orthography versions. | Сайтъ епархіи нынѣ доступенъ въ двухъ версіяхъ русской орѳографіи — дореволюціонной и новой.
The web site of the Diocese is now available in both traditional and new Russian orthography versions.
Photogallery: Celebrations of the Nativity of Christ in London and Geneva. | Фотогалерея: Празднованіе Рождества Христова въ Лондонѣ и Женевѣ. | Galerie photo : Célébrations de la Nativité du Christ à Londres et à Genève.
Photogallery: Celebrations of the Nativity of Christ in London and Geneva.
Nativity Epistle of Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe. | Рождественское Посланiе Епископа Лондонскаго и Западно-Европейскаго Иринея. | Épître de Noël de Mgr Irénée, Evêque de Londres et de l’Europe occidentale.
Nativity Epistle of Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe.
Nativity Epistle of Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. | Рождественское Посланiе Митрополита Николая, Первоiерарха Русской Зарубежной Церкви. | Épître de la Nativité de Son Éminence le Métropolite Nicolas, Premier Hiérarque de l’Église orthodoxe russe à l’étranger.
Nativity Epistle of Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
Anticipating the Nativity, construction continues on the new Church in St Leonard’s, England. | Въ предвкушеніи Рождества Христова продолжается строительство новаго храма въ Сентъ-​Леонардсъ​, въ Англіи.
Anticipating the Nativity, construction continues on the new Church in St Leonard’s, England.
Registration is now open for the first All-European Orthodox Youth Conference! | Открыта регистрация на первый Все-европейский православный молодёжный съезд. | Les inscriptions sont désormais ouvertes pour le premier congrès orthodoxe pan-européen de la jeunesse.
Registration is now open for the first All-European Orthodox Youth Conference!
Children’s day in London, in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. | Детский день в Лондоне, в подготовке к Рождеству Христову.
Children’s day in London, in preparation for the Nativity of Christ.
Three new bishops have been elected by the Sobor of the Church Abroad. | Собором Русской Зарубежной Церкви были избраны три новых архиерея. | Trois nouveaux évêques ont été élus par le Sobor de l’Église hors-frontières.
Three new bishops have been elected by the Sobor of the Church Abroad.

THE RULING BISHOP

His Grace Bishop Irenei of London & Western Europe

Biography | Calendar

Our Diocese
Our Church Abroad
Prayers & Liturgics

Latest Communications from the Diocesan Bishop:

Nativity Epistle of Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe.
A major new study of the history of the Bishops of the Diocese is published, with an interactive timeline.
An Index of 80+ Videos by Bishop Irenei from 2023-2025 is Now Available.
The Church Lives Under the Protection of the Apostles’: Sermon of Bishop Irenei on the Feast of St Peter and St Paul.
The Diocese in Brief:

Welcome to the official web site of the Church Abroad’s Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe. Dwelling and living in the Diaspora, this historic Diocese shares the rich treasures of Orthodox Christianity with all peoples, embracing the Orthodox history of these lands and the intercessions of our host of local Saints, in order to draw peoples of every nationality, tongue, age and race into the life of the Gospel that has been proclaimed in our Church for more than 2,000 years.

Celebrating its centenary jubilee in 2021, the Church Abroad (also known as the ROCOR: Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, as distinct from the Church within Russia itself: the Moscow Patriarchate) continues in the ancient tradition of our Holy Fathers, preserving the true faith in Christ across the generations, standing firm upon the foundations laid by the Apostles. Our Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe has a remarkable history, numbering amongst its Ruling Bishops the universally-beloved St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Wonderworker, and maintaining a pious adherence to the full life of the Orthodox Church in parishes that range from pre-revolutionary cathedrals to newly-established parishes and missions. We welcome you to partake of the sacramental, pastoral and missionary life of our communities today.

Resources

Diocesan Chancellery

Administrative offices of the Diocese

Contact Us

Contact the Diocese via a web form for general enquiries and information.

Copyright (c) 2010-2026, Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR)
A Registered Charity in the UK (no. 1192243) – Policy Documents | Contact Orthodox England

Copyright (c) 2010-2025, Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR). A Registered Charity in the UK (no. 1192243) – Policy Documents | Contact Orthodox England