The sun beat down upon the gathering at Croyland again this year and much to the consternation of Fr Elia; Englishmen (and many others) again went out in it – with neither sun cream nor hats!
Welcomed warmly by the Vicar of the Abbey and his staff, a Divine Liturgy was served and then lunch before an Akathist to Saint Guthlac and the veneration of the relics of St Theodore.
Troparion to St Guthlac
Dwelling from thy youth amid trackless and watery wastes, O divinely wise father, with holy zeal thou didst strive to follow the commandments of Christ.
Wherefore, the ranks of angels were amazed, beholding thee, a man of flesh and blood, contending valiantly against the passions, O all-wise one, and prevailing over all the hordes of the demons.
On earth thou wast a peer of the angels, and in heaven thou art ever an intercessor for mankind. O venerable Guthlac, entreat Christ God, that He save our souls.