First church of the Moscow Patriarchate consecrated in Ireland

FIRST CHURCH OF THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE CONSECRATED IN IRELAND

For the first time in Irish history, a Russian Orthodox church was consecrated on February 9, 2003. Bishop Theophan of Magadan and Sinegorsk celebrated the Consecration service and the following Divine Liturgy.

Concelebrating him were the clergymen of the newly consecrated church: the rector, Rev. Fr. Michael Gogoleff and Rev. Fr. George Zavershinsky. Participating in the Pontifical Liturgy also were Rev. Fr. Gregory Wolfenden, Rev. Fr. Raphael Armour, Protodeacon Andrew Pashkin, Deacon Joseph Skinner, Rev. Fr. Irineu Craciun, Rev. Fr. Calin Popovici.

The first Liturgy celebrated at St. Peter and St. Paul church in Dublin was attended by senior church and state officials of the Irish Republic, staff members of the Russian Federation Embassy and other Russian foreign institutions, foreign Ambassadors and a host of Orthodox believers.

The festive ceremony in Dublin was widely covered both by Irish and Russian mass media.

After the Divine Liturgy, the church community gave a festive reception on the occasion.