Pastoral visit of Bishop Augustine of Taldom to Norway
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan John of Dubna, our Archbishop, the Parish of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bergen, Norway, received His Grace, Bishop Augustine of Taldom, for his first pastoral visit over the weekend of 23 and 24 May. Travelling alongside His Grace were our new Dean, Fr Jacob Siemens, and Joshua Crockford, a parishioner from our sister community in Glasgow. Arriving on Thursday evening and departing on Tuesday morning, our guests’ extended stay provided a wonderful opportunity to immerse them deeply in the life of our local community and offer a true taste of our parish life.
A Beautiful Home for Worship
During his time with us, Bishop Augustine was especially struck by the beauty of our temple. He expressed great admiration for the craftsmanship of our iconostas and the various church furnishings, which stand as a testament to the dedication of our parishioners.
Yet, as we know, the true meaning and purpose of any sacred space is only fully manifest in the divine worship offered within it. To this end, the heart of the visit was centred around the altar. We were blessed to serve the Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, followed by a prayerful Great Vespers on Saturday evening.
The spiritual climax of the weekend came during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. The liturgical joy of the day was multiplied as our parishioner, Nicholas, was tonsured as a Reader by His Grace. We pray that the Lord will strengthen Reader Nicholas as he begins his official ministry in service to the Church.
Toward the end of the Liturgy, members of the Parish’s committees came forward together to receive a blessing for their work from His Grace, who thanked them for their tireless dedication and encouraged them to continue their vital ministries with renewed zeal and faith.
A Full and Fruitful Program
It was a beautifully busy schedule that truly reflected the vibrant, multicultural life of our community. Throughout the weekend, Bishop Augustine and Fr Jacob engaged deeply with our people. Both gave on-camera interviews sharing their visions for the deanery and diocese, met individually with numerous Bergen parishioners, and spent valuable time consulting with members of our various parish committees.
Hospitality and fellowship were woven into every day. In addition to shared meals and lively discussions, His Grace visited and blessed our newly established student rooms and parish refectory, invoking God’s grace upon these vital spaces where our youth and wider community gather for study and fellowship.
Looking Forward in Faith
As we bid farewell to Bishop Augustine, Fr Jacob, and Joshua on Tuesday morning, our parish was left with a profound sense of gratitude and renewed spiritual energy. This first pastoral visit has strengthened the bonds between our parish and the wider Diocese, reassuring us of our place within the larger fold. We thank His Grace for his paternal care, wisdom, and prayers, and we look forward with anticipation to welcoming him back to Bergen in the near future.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us!
