Belfast, October 15, 2024
Photo: Facebook
The Orthodox Church of St. John of Shanghai in Belfast (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) festively celebrated its patronal feast of the Uncovering of St. John’s Relics over the weekend.
And this year, the joy of the feast was augmented by a mass Baptism in the Irish Sea on the eve of the feast on Friday evening, the church reports.
Photo: Facebook
In total, 11 people were baptized: Aidan, Adomnán, Asher, Benjamin, Luke, Nathan, Peter, Sophrony, Anna, Elena, and Irene. The rite of Holy Illumination was celebrated by parish priest Fr. Justin Venn and Fr. Robert Williams from the ROCOR Mission of St. Patrick in Clifden.
The Baptisms were followed by Vespers and an evening meal.
The next day, Frs. Justin and Robert celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the feast of St. John.
“We give thanks to almighty God for the newly illumined and for the many blessings bestowed upon our parish, through the prayers of our patron St John,” the church writes.
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