From 14-20 May, a pilgrimage to Serbia took place from the Diocese’s parishes in the UK. The following report was received from one of the participants (an extensive photo gallery is found beneath the report):

On 14th May 2025 a group of pilgrims from the United Kingdom journeyed to Serbia to visit the holy sites there. Most of pilgrimage was organised by Alexandra Tucakovic, a member of the London Cathedral Parish who was brought up in Serbia. The pilgrimage was led by Archpriest Paul Elliott, Diocesan Chancellor, and Hieromonk Theodore (Stanway). Subdeacons Chad Newman and Valery Beroskin were also blessed to participate and serve.

On the first day the pilgrims visited the Kalenegdan Fortess which contained two beautiful and ancient churches — including one in which is located the sacred well of St Paraskeva, where the faithful of Belgrade gather in times of sorrow. The next day the clergy were invited to serve in the Russian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas. After the Liturgy the pilgrims travelled to the cemetery where Metropolitan Anthony (the first Primate of the ROCOR) and Bishop Nicholas of London are buried. Pannikhidas were served at the graves. Prayers were also lifted up at the monument to the Holy Tsar Martyr Nicholas, and the pilgrims all visited the extraordinarily stunning Cathedral of St Sava — amongst the largest Orthodox temples in Europe.

On 16th May, the pilgrims gathered for the Liturgy in the Church of the Ascension in Belgrade and, after partaking of the warm hospitality of the Sisterhood and the clergy, moved on to the town of Karlovtsi north of Belgrade. It was here that the ROCOR held its first meeting after the Russian Revolution, as the Serbian Patriarch gave shelter to Metropolitan Anthony and the early fathers of the Church Abroad. It was very moving for the pilgrims to journey to this sacred place.

In the evening there was a visit to Frushka Gora which has many monasteries. We learned that there are over 400 active monasteries in Serbia. On the 17th May the Clergy concelebrated with Fr Dosityi in the Monastery of Grgetek. We enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Monastery, travelling onwards towards the Monastery of Lelic where the shrine of St Nikolai (Velimirovich) is situated. His body was brought back from America in the 1990s to the place of his birth. The clergy concelebrated with the monks and local clergy. A congregation of pilgrims from across Serbia, as well as we ourselves, sang the whole Liturgy and venerated the shrine of St Nikolai with crowds of local pilgrims.

Once more we enjoyed the hospitality of the Monastery before we moved on to the Monastery of Chelije where St Justin (Popovich) laboured for over 30 years. We learned much about this remarkable Serbian saint who had known and guided our own Metropolitan Mark. On the 19th May the clergy concelebrated with Hieromonk Palama in Studenica Monastery. This ancient Monastery contained the relics of the holy parents of St Sava. The Liturgy here was one of the highlights of the pilgrimage.

We also visited Zhicha and Kalenic Monasteries, with their wonderful frescos. Our last full day began in Leshie Monastery with the Divine Liturgy, and our final afternoon was spent in Ravanica Monastery with the relics of St Lazar, where we sang a moleben of thanksgiving for our pilgrimage. Throughout, we felt the love of the Serbian clergy and people and encountered their deep esteem for the ROCOR and our mutual sense of belonging to each other, with ‘family ties’ in Christ that are truly profound. Thanks be to God for His goodness!