On Saturday 16 December and Sunday 17 December we had services for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Great-Martyr Barbara (+c.306 AD) and Venerable John of Damascus (+c.777 AD).  All-night Vigil was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy, the parish rector was assisted by Protodeacon Martin Naef and prayers were offered for peace in the Holy Land and peace in Ukraine.  In place of a sermon the recent Epistle of the Synod of Bishops to the Clergy and Flock of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia was read aloud.  Following Divine Liturgy, an announcement was made concerning the Annual General Meeting of the parish to be held that afternoon.  These were our final services for 2023.