Let us praise Olav,
the glorious king and champion,
the everlasting sovereign of the Northmen,
O ye companies
of them that love the feast.
For this day hath he gloriously
appeared forth from the grave,
freely bestowing the grace of healings,
driving away grievous infirmities,
and asking from heaven
grace and mercy
for them that faithfully cry aloud:
Pray unto Christ our God,
that he would grant
forgiveness of transgressions
unto them that with longing
keep thy holy memorial.

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas and Great Britain, we made a pilgrimage to one of the oldest surviving churches in London, St Olave’s on Hart Street. The site is connected to the 1014 Battle of London Bridge, where St Olav the Wonderworker defended London from Danish invasion. The original church dates to around 1050, only two decades after the saint’s martyrdom in 1030.

The pilgrimage was held on the 3rd of August, the feast of the Translation of the Saint’s incorrupt relics in 1031. Orthros and Divine Liturgy were held in the Crypt Chapel of the Church. We were joined by Fr Gregory Palamas of the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Wood Green, and members of Christian Orthodox Thyateira Youth (COTY).

We are grateful to the rector and administrator of St Olave’s, the Revd Philip Dawson and Isaac Hodnett, for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.