By God’s grace and mercy, we held our regular weekend of Divine Services on 10–11 October 2026.
On Saturday evening, we celebrated Great Vespers, followed by fellowship over tea, coffee and refreshments. There was also an opportunity for confession and for those who wished to meet privately with the priest for spiritual conversation and guidance. On Sunday morning, we celebrated Orthros and the Divine Liturgy, followed by our traditional bring-and-share parish lunch. Many thanks to all who attended, who helped serve at the altar, chanted, prepared and served food, and helped to set up and put down the temple.
You can find some photos here: https://saintignatiusbelfast.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/SaintIgnatiusChurchDocuments/IgCzXVFXpjoWQK3verwX8loaASv4LA4LOKUCmj-eiXPpk6E?e=IKNtlt
This weekend was particularly special for two reasons.
Hierarchical services at St John of Shanghai Parish (ROCOR) in Belfast
Firstly, with the blessing of our Archbishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan, and His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe(ROCOR), our priest, Fr Dmitry, joined the Divine Services at the Parish of St John of Shanghai in Belfast, at the kind invitation of its parish priest, Fr Justin Venn.
The occasion was the hierarchical visit of His Grace Bishop Irenei to the parish, coinciding with the forthcoming celebration of its patronal feast on 12 October, commemorating Saint John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco (feast of finding the Relics)
On Friday evening, Fr Dmitry concelebrated His Grace Bishop Irenei, Fr Justin Venn and Fr Stanislav of the Parish of St Colman in Stradbally at the Festal Great Vespers with Litia and Artoklasia. On Saturday morning, he also concelebrated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Several of our parishioners also joined the services and festivities at St John’s.
This joyful occasion was another beautiful expression of the friendship and brotherly love between our two parishes. Over time, this friendship has grown through our mutual participation in Divine Services, the celebration of one another’s feasts, and our shared commitment to building up the Orthodox Church in Belfast.
Glory to God for this growing bond of love and fellowship!
We wholeheartedly congratulate our brothers and sisters at St John of Shanghai Parish on their patronal feast and ask for the prayers and intercessions of their great heavenly patron, for all of us and for the continued growth of the Orthodox Church in Ireland.
Our First-Ever Thanksgiving Sunday
The second reason why this weekend was particularly special was that we held our first-ever Thanksgiving Sunday at St Ignatius Parish!
Thanksgiving Sunday is an opportunity for all who consider St Ignatius their spiritual home to reflect prayerfully on their responsibility for the life and future of our parish, and to make a personal commitment to supporting its mission and ministry through regular financial giving.
Following several weeks of preparation, during which parishioners were invited to reflect and pray about their giving, we came together at the end of Sunday’s Divine Liturgy to make our commitments. Each parishioner was invited to complete a pledge card, which was then collected and brought before the Holy Altar as an offering to God, in thanksgiving for His blessings and as an expression of our love and care for His Church.
Our Parish Treasurer and Recorder are currently processing the pledges received, and we hope to share the results with everyone soon. However, we can already say how deeply encouraged we are by the generosity of the offerings and our parishioners’ willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of our community.
To everyone who participated, we offer our heartfelt thanks! May the Lord bless you and your families, graciously receive your offerings, and bring forth abundant fruit from your generosity for the flourishing of His Church.
Glory to God for all things!