Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christ is Risen!
This is weekly newsletter #11 of the St Ignatius Parish in Belfast.
Contents of this Newsletter:
- Message from Fr Dmitry: Feast of Mid-Pentecost
- Announcements
- Message 2 from Fr Dmitry: How we sustain our parish
Message from Fr Dmitry: Feast of Mid-Pentecost
Today, Wednesday 14th May, the Church celebrates the Feast of Mid-Pentecost. Blessed Feast to all!
Unlike most of the major Feasts of our Lord, Mid-Pentecost does not mark a specific historical event. It is a theological feast, set midway between Pascha – celebration of Christ’s Resurrection – and Pentecost – celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel reading for the Feast (John 7:14–30) recounts Christ teaching in the Temple in the middle of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. Despite the miraculous healing of the paralytic which has happened a few days earlier, confusion fills the Temple: many recognise Jesus as a holy man and teacher, but cannot yet see Him as the Son of God.
We, however, live in the time after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon the Church. We know who Christ is. We are called to proclaim that He who was born of the Virgin, suffered, died, and rose again on the third day, is truly the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour.
I ask your forgiveness for having missed the regular newsletter last week. It was an especially busy time, both in church and at work, and I wasn’t able to sit down and write, including the homily for the Sunday of the Paralytic (John 5:1–15).
In some ways, though, this delay has turned out to be providential. In this newsletter, following the usual announcements, I would like to speak with you about something a little different, but very important. I encourage you to read all the way to the end.
In the meantime, I don’t want to leave you without a reflection on last Sunday’s Gospel. Here is a beautiful homily by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos on the Sunday of the Paralytic: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2021/05/sunday-of-paralytic-house-of-mercy-metr.html
News and Announcements
- Services in Church this weekend – I am looking forward to seeing you at the church this Saturday and Sunday. Great Vespers, on Saturday, 17th May, at 5:00 pm, followed by tea/coffee and fellowship. Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Sunday, from 10:00 am, followed by the parish lunch. Everyone is welcome!
- Online Faith & Fellowship Meetings – Every Wednesday: Join us for our weekly Faith and Fellowship gathering on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 14th May. We’ll pray the Little Compline and continue to explore the life and work of our patron Saint – St Ignatius of Antioch. Zoom link: https://ucl.zoom.us/j/97707660214
How We Sustain Our Parish
As we journey towards the Feast of Pentecost on 8th June, Mid-Pentecost reminds us of our mission: to live, proclaim, and build up the Body of Christ. And so, I wish to say a few words about the life of our parish community. A more “mundane” matter perhaps, but an essential one.
When His Eminence appointed me as priest-in-charge of St Ignatius, he asked me not only to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, but also to help improve the foundations of a strong and sustainable community. The aim is that, when God sends a full-time parish priest to St Ignatius, he can focus fully on ministry of serving the people, rather than on organisational matters.
We read in Acts 4:32–35 how the first Christian community in Jerusalem organised itself:
As the first christian community formed in Jerusalem at the oversight of the apostles. We learn from the Acts about the economic organisation of this community: Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
While today’s parishes are no longer built entirely on shared possessions, they still rely on the committed and loving support of their members.
The Church is the Body of Christ. Through the Eucharist and through prayer, we enter into real and mystical communion with God and with one another. A parish is not a religious marketplace where spiritual “services” are offered and consumed. It is a spiritual family.
As Scripture says:
“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)
and
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” (1 Peter 2:9)
If we are children of the same Father, then we are brothers and sisters, who are called to love, support, and build one another up. This includes our time, our presence, and yes, as we are able, our material support. The life of the parish is our shared responsibility, and the mission of the Church is entrusted to all of us.
We are not starting from nothing. We have a growing community, regular services, and committed parishioners. And so, I want to begin by thanking each and every one of you who supports the parish, financially and otherwise. Without your help, the Church cannot exist.
But I also want to gently invite everyone to consider how they might contribute to our shared mission, especially by giving regularly via standing order, which gives the parish the stable income it needs to function.
What are we raising towards? Here are three key areas where your support makes a real impact:
1. A Permanent Place of Worship
At present, we hire a hall and transform it into a church each time we serve. This requires moving, setting up, and packing away all the furnishings, icons, and materials. This time and energy could be better spent in prayer, service, preaching and ministering to others.
His Eminence encourages each parish to work towards either securing a church property or, at least, a long-term exclusive-use rental. We need a permanent church, not a makeshift one. Imagine the difference if our church space was always ready:
- You could come during the day to light a candle, venerate the icons, and pray in peace.
- We could hold more frequent services, catechism classes, Bible studies, and social events.
- Volunteers and clergy could focus on what truly matters: pastoral care and the mission of the Church.
Even though St Ignatius currently serves once a month, that is not a reason to wait. Quite the opposite: a permanent space would enable more frequent services and ministry. We want to be ready and proactive, not simply reacting when circumstances force a change.
2. Supporting Clergy
The greatest ongoing expense of any parish is not candles, charcoal, or communal wine, but people. Most of our clergy work full-time secular jobs alongside their priestly duties. They do so out of love, not expecting anything in return. But it is physically exhausting and spiritually difficult.
If we want to encourage new clergy, especially younger men, to enter the ministry, we must make it sustainable.
His Eminence encourages every parish to provide at least some remuneration to its clergy. I am grateful for the support St Ignatius currently offers me, but this is not about me. It is about ensuring that whoever serves here in the future can do so with proper support.
3. Supporting the Archdiocese
Every parish contributes annually 15% of its income to support the life and work of the Archdiocese. This includes:
- Supporting our Bishop (his housing, livelihood, and pastoral work),
- Coordinating clergy training and new missions,
- Supporting diocesan officers who serve voluntarily on top of their secular jobs and (in many cases) clergy ministry.
This 15% contribution is vital, but it’s also simple: if our parish does well, the Archdiocese does well.
Fifteen percent of a larger income is more than 15% of a small one. So by strengthening our own parish finances, we strengthen the wider Church too.
“How can I help? “
If you are already supporting the parish: thank you. Truly, your generosity makes everything we do possible.
If you are not yet giving, or if you give occasionally, I encourage you to consider setting up a monthly standing order. Regular donations, no matter how small, help us plan for the future with confidence.
If you are a UK taxpayer, we also encourage you to complete a Gift Aid declaration. This allows us to claim an extra 25% on top of your donation, at no cost to you. For a Gift Aid form, please speak to William, whom you can contact by email: william@huntermail.org
Our parish bank details can be found below. Let’s continue building the Body of Christ together: spiritually and practically. Amen
Account Name: St Ignatius Orthodox Church
Bank Name: Ulster Bank Limited
Account number: 10856389
Sort-code: 98-01-55
Yours in Christ,
Fr Dmitry