Ordination to the Holy Diaconate at the Cathedral of St Luke, Glasgow

On Saturday, 15 August 2026, the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, His Grace Bishop Raphael of Ilion presided over Matins and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St Luke in Glasgow. During the Divine Liturgy, Daniel Nicholls was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

Concelebrating with Bishop Raphael were the Very Revd Archimandrite Mark Mitchell, Parish Priest of the Cathedral, and the Revd Presbyter Janis Stumbris.

A large congregation from Glasgow and the surrounding area gathered for the occasion, together with the family and friends of the ordinand, to witness the ordination and share in the joy of the Cathedral community.

Before the ordination, Daniel reflected with gratitude upon the path that had brought him to this moment. He spoke of the many blessings that had shaped his life, including family, education, marriage and children, as well as the community of St Luke’s Cathedral, which had welcomed and supported Daniel throughout the journey into the Orthodox Church. Recalling the different stages of the Christian journey, Daniel described how the life and intercessions of St Columba had eventually led him to Orthodoxy. At the Cathedral of St Luke,…