By the decision of the Holy Sobor of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, as of 7th / 20th September 2018, the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, His Grace Bishop Irenei has been appointed as the Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland and of the Diocese of Western Europe, with the title ‘Bishop of Richmond and Western Europe’ (as an historical note, on 13th February 1964, His Grace Bishop Nikodim was confirmed as Bishop of Richmond and Great Britain by the Holy Synod; he was followed by Bishop Constantine who retired in 1985).

Further details on the practicalities of the administration of the two Dioceses will be forthcoming; but for the immediate purposes of liturgical commemoration, the following is with immediate effect to be the form of Hierarchical commemoration at all Divine Services of the Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland:

In the litanies:

‘For our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; for Our Lord the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and for Our Lord the Right Reverend Bishop Irenei; for the venerable priesthood… etc.’

‘О великомъ господинѣ и отцѣ нашемъ, святѣйшемъ патріарсѣ Кириллѣ, и о господинѣ нашемъ высокопреосвященнѣйшемъ митрополитѣ Иларіонѣ, первоіерарсѣ Русскiя зарубежныя церкве, и о господинѣ нашемъ преосвященнѣйшемъ епископѣ Иринеѣ, честнемъ пресвитерствѣ… и т.д.’

At the Great Entrance:

‘Our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Our Lord the Most Reverend Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern-America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; and Our Lord the Right Reverend Irenei, Bishop of Richmond and Western Europe, may the Lord God remember in His Kingdom… etc.’

‘Великаго господина и отца нашего Кирилла, Святѣйшаго Патріарха Московскаго и всея Руси, и господина нашего высокопреосвященнѣйшаго Иларіона, первоиерарха Русскія зарубежныя церкве, и господина нашего преосвященнѣйшаго Иринея,епископа Ричмондскаго и Западно-Европейскаго, да помянетъ Господь Богъ во Царствіи Своемъ… и т.д.’

View the formal letter (PDF) detailing these commemorations:

056-2018-09-22-UK-Diocese-Letter