Parish Pilgrimage to St Werburgh's Shrine - 13/02/2007

On the second day of his visitation to the parish, Vladyka led some clergy and a small group of the faithful in a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Werburgh in Chester Cathedral. St Werburgh was an Abbess at Ely and foundress of other monastic communities in the British Isles when these lands were still Orthodox.

We were treated to the generous hospitality of the Dean and staff at Chester Cathedral, who permitted us to use the Lady Chapel in the retro-choir for a Moleben service. We were then treated to a guided tour of the cathedral, and took a walk around Chester, visiting the ancient city walls, before returning to the cathedral refectory for a delicious lunch.

Some memories were captured in photograph and are reproduced here.
Vladika's friendly chauffeur
Vladika sets off for the shrine
A view of Chester cathedral from the city walls
Fr Michael and Fr Paul on the way into the cathedral
Pilgrims on the way into the cathedral
Introductions
Vladika at the holy shrine of St Werburgh, with Fr Paul (right) and the Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Gordon McPhate (left)
Fr Michael speaks with the Dean
Pilgrims at the shrine
Pilgrims at the shrine
Pilgrims at the shrine
Vladika and the Dean
Marina at the shrine of St Werburgh
Seraphima speaks with Vladika
Seraphima speaks with Vladika
The Gospel Book and Icon at the shrine, for the veneration of the faithful
Michael bumps into a friend at the cathedral
Michael at a prophetic sign
A view from the city walls
Walking along the city walls
Fr Andrew and Michael at the ancient city wall
Vladika and Father Paul experience the effects of the wind
Fr Andrew in traditional ecclesiastical attire
The parish icon of St Werburgh
Father Michael takes a rest
Vladyka crosses the bridge
Vladyka with the pilgrims before he said goodbye