Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe, Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Theotokos of Europe
Click here for 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 brethren who are currently facing the horrors of bloodshed and various persecutions. 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, and read below for additional details.

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.

The Altar Feast is Celebrated in the Parish of St Alexander Nevsky in Norwich, England. | Престольный праздник отмечается в приходе вел. кн. Александра Невского в Норидже, Англия.

The faithful of the parish gathered in a spirit of joy to honour their heavenly patron. | Верующие прихода с радостью собрались, чтобы почтить своего небесного покровителя.

Published: Practical and Liturgical Notes for the Sacrament of Matrimony. | Опубликовано: Практические и богослужебные заметки к таинству Венчания.

Guidance on the pastoral and liturgical customs of weddings in the Church Abroad. | Руководство по пастырским и богослужебным обычаям венчания в Зарубежной Церкви.

Bishop Irenei Speaks to the London Youth Group. | Преосвященный Епископ Ириней беседует с Лондонской молодежной группой.

His Grace spoke for two hours with the young people. | Его Преосвященство в течение двух часов беседовал с молодежью.

The Sisterhood of the London Cathedral Makes a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Birinus. | Сестричество Лондонского собора совершает паломничество к святыне святителя Бирина.

The sisters venerated the relics of the ‘Apostle to the West Saxons’. | Сестры поклонились мощам «Апостола западных саксов».

PHOTO-REPORT: The Diocesan Pastoral Clergy Convocation Has Concluded in Florence. | ФОТООТЧЕТ: Во Флоренции завершило работу обще-епархиальное пастырское совещание. | RAPPORT PHOTO : La réunion pastorale générale diocésaine a terminé ses travaux à Florence.

The First Hierarch and Diocesan Bishops gathered with a great host of Diocesan Clergy. | Первоиерарх и епархиальные архиереи собрались в окружении большого сонма епархиального духовенства.

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 Altar Feast is Celebrated in the Parish of St Alexander Nevsky in Norwich, England. | Престольный праздник отмечается в приходе вел. кн. Александра Невского в Норидже, Англия.
The Altar Feast is Celebrated in the Parish of St Alexander Nevsky in Norwich, England.
Geneva Schoolchildren Visit the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross to Learn About Holy Orthodoxy. | Женевские школьники посетили Крестовоздвиженский собор, чтобы узнать о Святом Православии. | Des écoliers genevois visitent la cathédrale de l’Exaltation de la Croix pour en savoir plus sur la sainte orthodoxie.
Geneva Schoolchildren Visit the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross to Learn About Holy Orthodoxy.
Published: Practical and Liturgical Notes for the Sacrament of Matrimony. | Опубликовано: Практические и богослужебные заметки к таинству Венчания.
Published: Practical and Liturgical Notes for the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Bishop Irenei Speaks to the London Youth Group. | Преосвященный Епископ Ириней беседует с Лондонской молодежной группой.
Bishop Irenei Speaks to the London Youth Group.
The Sisterhood of the London Cathedral Makes a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Birinus. | Сестричество Лондонского собора совершает паломничество к святыне святителя Бирина.
The Sisterhood of the London Cathedral Makes a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Birinus.
PHOTO-REPORT: The Diocesan Pastoral Clergy Convocation Has Concluded in Florence. | ФОТООТЧЕТ: Во Флоренции завершило работу обще-епархиальное пастырское совещание. | RAPPORT PHOTO : La réunion pastorale générale diocésaine a terminé ses travaux à Florence.
PHOTO-REPORT: The Diocesan Pastoral Clergy Convocation Has Concluded in Florence.
Diocesan Clergy Assemble in Florence for the Annual Clergy Pastoral Convocation. | Епархиальное духовенство собралось во Флоренции на ежегодный пастырское совещание духовенства.
Diocesan Clergy Assemble in Florence for the Annual Clergy Pastoral Convocation.
Registration is Open for the London Youth Conference, to Take Place from 21-24 December. | Открыта регистрация на Лондонский молодежный съезд, который пройдет с 21 по 24 декабря.
Registration is Open for the London Youth Conference, to Take Place from 21-24 December.
Annual Christmas Fair of the London Cathedral to Take Place on Sunday, 26th November. | Ежегодная рождественская ярмарка Лондонского собора состоится в воскресенье, 26 ноября.
Annual Christmas Fair of the London Cathedral to Take Place on Sunday, 26th November.
Diocesan Clergy Prepare to Gather for the Annual Clergy Convocation, in the Presence of the First Hierarch of the Church Abroad. | Епархиальное духовенство готовится собраться на ежегодный совещание духовенства в присутствии Первоиерарха Зарубежной Церкви. | Le clergé diocésain se prépare à se rassembler pour leur convocation annuelle, en présence du premier hiérarque de l'Église à l'étranger.
Diocesan Clergy Prepare to Gather for the Annual Clergy Convocation, in the Presence of the First Hierarch of the Church Abroad.
Register Now! 5th Annual All-European Church Musicians Conference, 25-28 January 2024 in London. | Регистрация открыта! 5-я общеевропейский православный церковно-певческий съезд, 25-28 января 2024 в Лондоне.
Register Now! 5th Annual All-European Church Musicians Conference, 25-28 January 2024 in London.
The Youth Group visits Oxford on Sunday 5th November.
The London Youth Group Visits Oxford and the Shrine of St Frideswide.

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:

Published: Practical and Liturgical Notes for the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Sermon of Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe on the Feast of the Mother of God, 'Joy of All Who Sorrow', 2023.
VIDEO: Bishop Irenei on the Character of the Holy Martyrs.
'In the face of our brother, we can see the face of God': Sermon of Bishop Irenei on the 21st Sunday After Pentecost, 2023.
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.

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Administrative offices of the Diocese

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

Parishes

Directory of the parishes and communities of the Diocese

Clergy

Directory of all Diocesan clergy

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