First celebration in Ireland of Russian Orthodox Easter liturgy

Over 800 people attended the first celebration in Ireland of a Russian Orthodox Easter liturgy. It was probably the most westerly such liturgy ever celebrated on the European continent and took place at the church of St Peter and St Paul in Dublin's Harold's Cross early yesterday morning. The attendance was made up mainly of young people, including many young families.

Chief celebrants were Father Michael Gogoleff, dean of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ireland, and Father George Zavershinsky. The service began with prayers, which continued to midnight when the congregation was led outside in procession, each member carrying a lighted taper.

They walked around the church forecourt as a bell tolled loudly, before the celebrants repeatedly proclaimed from the front of the church "Christ is risen", in various languages.

This was repeated by the congregation, some kissing each other on the cheek with the greeting "Christ is risen". In time they were led inside again, where the liturgy continued for two hours.

Father Gogoleff, who was born in France of parents who fled Russia after the civil war, said it was estimated there were now about 10,000 Orthodox adherents in the Republic, with Russian Orthodox parishes in Cork, Galway, and Monaghan, as well as Dublin.

Ninety per cent were skilled workers and professional people, of eastern European as well as Russian origin.

He estimated that in the Dublin parish alone they had 13 nationalities, the great majority from EU accession states. They also have a primary school, with 35 children in attendance. That figure is expected to increase to 60 next year, he said.

The church building in Harold's Cross was originally used by the Church of Ireland, with which the Russian Orthodox Church has "excellent" relations, said Father Gogoleff. It has been used as an Orthodox church since late 2002. Relations with the other Christian Churches in Ireland were good he said, although, on a broader level, he was critical of Rome and its relationship with the Moscow Patriarchate of his Church.

Moscow has accused Rome of proselytising in western Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Father Gogoleff said that as long as the current Pope remained in office, relations between Moscow and Rome were unlikely to improve.