Our Kazan Icon parish in Cardiff celebrated the Nativity of Christ for the first time in its new location, with great solemnity and joy. This is one of the Diocese’s newer parishes, but is already growing substantialy. Around fifty people came from far and wide for the Feast: from across the border in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, as well as across South Wales. The choir chanted beautifully, and the majority of the faithful confessed and communed.

A particular joy came through the eagerness with which the faithful presented themselves for the Mystery of Confession in preparation for the Feast. Hieromonk Mark, who leads the parish, spent time encouraging its children and young people in the Mystery of repentance.

Following the Festal Liturgy, a joyous meal was held in the nearby the Greek parish hall, with a crowded celebration, sharing it with some of the parish’s many friends in the Greek Orthodox parish and commiunity.