A Call to Support Our Father in Christ: Approaching Episcopal Ordination
To the Beloved Faithful, Stewards, and friends of the Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Parish in Glasgow,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Christ is in our midst!
We write to you today with hearts full of joy and gratitude as our spiritual father, Fr Augustine, prepares to undertake a significant new chapter of ministry within our Holy Church. By the grace of God and the decision of the Holy Synod, Father Augustine will be consecrated to the Holy Episcopate on Sunday, December 14th, taking on the sacred duties of a Bishop.
This is a profound honour for him and a source of pride and blessing for our entire Parish!
Supporting His New Ministry
As is customary in the Church, an elevation to the Episcopate comes with the need for new vestments and sacred items necessary for a Bishop's hierarchical service.
These items—symbols of his new authority and responsibility—are not typically part of a Parish budget but are traditionally presented as a gift from the community he has served.
To ensure Father Augustine is fully equipped to begin his Episcopal ministry with dignity, we would like to raise funds for the purchase of these essential items.
The needed items include:
• Mitre (Crown): The ornate headpiece representing the Crown of Thorns and the spiritual sovereignty of the Bishop.
• Episcopal Engolpion & Panagia (Pectoral Icons): The icons worn on his chest, signifying his heart's devotion to Christ and the Theotokos.
• Kanon (Staff/Crozier): The shepherd's staff, symbolizing his duty to guide his flock.
• Trikeron and Dikeron: Liturgical candleholders used by a bishop in the Orthodox Church. The dikeron (or dikori) is a double-branched candlestick that signifies the two natures of Christ (divine and human).The trikeron (or trikori) is a triple-branched candlestick that signifies the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The bishop uses these in a set (known as the dikirotrikera) to bless the congregation during the Divine Liturgy.
• Orlets (Rugs): Orthodox bishops use a special rug called an eagle rug or orlets during services, which is a small, round carpet symbolizing their spiritual authority. The rug typically features a single-headed eagle soaring over a city, representing the bishop's duty to rise above worldly concerns and guide his flock (the city). It serves as a reminder of the bishop's role as a spiritual leader and an icon of Christ. The eagle represents the bishop's elevated spiritual state, and the city below symbolizes the flock he is responsible for. The tradition originated with Byzantine emperors before becoming a liturgical attribute for bishops. It is a constant reminder of the bishop's archpastoral responsibilities and the need to tirelessly glorify Christ through his words and life.
A United Effort
Our goal is to raise £8000 to cover the costs of these sacred gifts.
No donation is too small; a united effort from all of us will show Father Augustine the depth of our appreciation for his years of tireless service, his spiritual guidance, and his dedication to the growth of Orthodoxy in Scotland.
Ways to Offer Your Donation:
• Online: this GoFundMe page
• Bank Transfer: The Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Christian Trust, Bank of Scotland,
Sort code: 80-22-60
Account: 15894660 (please reference: Episcopal Ordination Gift)
• In Person: You may give a cash donation in an envelope marked "Episcopal Gift" to Br Basil, Jane Smithers, or Fr Augustine
A Time for Celebration
We encourage all of you to join us in prayer for Father Augustine as he prepares for the day of his consecration. The ordination will take place at Cathedrale Saint Alexandre Nevsky (12 Rue Daru, 75008, Paris) over the 13th and 14th December. All are welcome to attend in person, or to view via live stream from the Cathedral's YouTube channel.
May God bless your generosity as we support Father Augustine in this exciting new chapter. We ask for your prayers for him on the day of his consecration.
In Christ,
Lauren
Parish Secretary