A beautiful short video about our Parish (2017)
Origins of Parish
In 2006, with the blessing of Archbishop Innokenty of Korsun, a small group of Orthodox Christians in Southampton began to meet in the city to pray the Jesus Prayer together. Responding to their request that this nascent Orthodox community be established around the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence, Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh made a missionary visit to Southampton on Saturday 13th March 2010, and served the Liturgy. Subsequently the mission was included by the Holy Synod, as a new parish within the Diocese of Sourozh, with St. Silouan of Mount Athos as its patron saint. The Rector of our parish is Archpriest Joseph Skinner.
Growth over
the years
The life of the Parish has deepened over the years. Regular average attendance to services: 40-50 people. Everyone enjoys ‘bring and share’ Trapezas after the Liturgies to which everyone is welcome. The majority of our parishioners are Russian-speaking, but we are seeing an increasing number of English-speaking enquirers, who find a welcoming home with us.
Demographics
People attend our parish from across Hampshire and surrounding area, and from as far away as Surrey. We are approximately 80% originating from Russia and other Eastern European/Slavic nations, with 20% from the UK. Of that 80%, around 50% are married to a British spouse. Our administrative language is English, with the language of services being in 50/50 English and Church Slavonic.
Links to Monastery
We are the only parish in British Isles dedicated to St Silouan, because of that we have close links to the Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex founded by his disciple, Fr Sophrony, and where the icon screen for our Parish was painted.
Social activities
We regularly organise get togethers outside of the services, and also to establish links with the local community. Events of 2016/17: Sponsored Litter Picking, Parish Easter BBQ, Christmas shadow theatre, Concerts of traditional Russian music.
Children
Estimated 30% of our parishioners are under 10, so we can call ourselves - a young Parish.
Choir
Our choir sings like angels and specialises in Znameny chant and is exploring Georgian melodies.
Pilgrimages
Apart from the regular Pilgrimages to Mt Athos, we sometimes organise day trips to our local places of worship. Winchester Cathedral, Romsey Abbey in 2016/17
Services
Our parish currently worships in the Hall behind Holy Trinity Church, Southampton. Services are conducted in English and Russian (Church Slavonic). The Liturgy is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of the month (with Vespers on the preceding Saturday). On the 3d Sunday Fr Joseph serves Liturgy in Portsmouth at the Parish of St Peter and St Paul.
Prospects
We hope in the next few years to be able to celebrate regular services in our own church building, but as God wills and we co-operate thankfully.
