WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: 24 January, 2023
The senior cleric of the Western European Diocese receives a high Church award

On January 19, 2023, Divine Liturgy of the Feast of Theophany in Geneva’s Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross was headed by His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe. That day, the senior-most cleric of the Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe, Mitred Archpriest Pavel Tzvetkoff, was awarded the right to wear a second pectoral Cross — one of the highest clerical honours bestowed on clergymen in the Orthodox Church.

Bestowing the award upon Archpriest Pavel on behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops, His Grace Bishop Irenei noted that the Synod had determined so to honour the Diocese’s faithful priest in recognition of his 50 years of service in the Holy Priesthood, during which time his dedication to Mother Church has made him a rock of stability, wisdom and experience to which many turn for guidance — not only from the Cathedral Parish in Geneva, but across the Diocese.

The festal Divine Liturgy was concelebrated on a bright day, enabling the traditional outdoor blessing of waters at the conclusion of the service, with great nuymbers of faithful in attendance and taking the "waters of Jordan" back to their homes.

May the Lord God bless His newly-awarded servant, Fr Pavel, with grace and strength unto many more years of fruitful service.