The London Youth Group Made a Pilgrimage to Walsingham, with Divine Services at the Parishes in Mettingham and Norwich.

Over the weekend of 1st January 2024, members of the London Youth Group undertook a pilgrimage to Walsingham — a uniquely English place of pilgrimage in honour of the Mother of God, which has been the place of first introduction to the Orthodox Church for many people in the British Isles.

Memorable highlights from the pilgrimage included a visit to St Seraphim's Chapel, which is a converted railway station that has been a place of Orthodox prayer for generations; and the Orthodox chapel at the Walsingham Shrine to the Mother of God, where the Diocese lifts up prayers at the Divine Services several times per year. The youth were joined by the Reverend Priest Mark Tattum-Smith of the Mettingham Parish and Hieromonk Theodore, who is visiting the Diocese from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville — both of whom led the pilgrims in prayer and Divine Services at the various sites.

After the day in Walsingham, the youth visited the scenic coastal village of Wells-next-the-Sea for a fish and chips where they enjoyed rewarding festive Christmas street decorations with fabulous seaside views. In the evening, they attended Vespers at the 'Joy of All Who Sorrow' Church in Mettingham. The next day began with morning prayers together, en route to Norwich, where they attended the Divine Liturgy at the St Alexander Nevsky Parish, under the rectorship of the Reverend Priest Spasimir Ivanov, remaining there for lunch with the parishioners.