Russian Orthodox Chapel of St. Seraphim

1128 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

February, 2017

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Solo

Reasons for trip

When the “Anglican Shrine Church of our Lady of Walsingham”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/churches/england/norfolk/walsingham_shrine/index.html was built, it included a small Russian Orthodox Chapel. During the Second World War, a prisoner of war camp in the area held many Orthodox Eastern Europeans, who used the chapel. After the war, the prisoners left the area and regular services ceased although a number of Orthodox pilgrimages were held. The Administrators of the Anglican Shrine asked the Russian Orthodox Church to take responsibility for the chapel. A missionary Brotherhood of St Seraphim was formed to establish a permanent Orthodox presence in Walsingham. In 1966, they took over the old railway station from the council and converted the old booking hall and waiting room into a church complete with onion dome and cross.

St Seraphim became a centre for iconography and the chapel’s founder, Father David and icon painter Leon Lidddament painted icons here using the traditional techniques until 2009. Their icons are on display in the church and there is information on icon painting in the porch.

The inside of the chapel is very dark as there are no windows admitting light. There is a light switch on the wall to the right of the door as you go in.

The wood iconostasis has icons of Mary with the Christ Child and the Adult Christ on either side of the Royal doors. They are flanked by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The four small panels on the base of the door have icons of the four evangelists. On either side of the iconostasis are tall candles with icons of St Seraphim on the right and St Nicholas on the left. On the left wall is a large icon of the Seated Virgin with the Christ Child. More icons are displayed around the walls.

This is a most unexpected find – there aren’t many Orthodox chapels or Churches around. It is small and feels very intimate. It is on the edge of the village ten minutes walk from the shrine, but is well worth finding. There are more pictures “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/churches/england/norfolk/walsingham_stseraphim/index.html

The chapel is open every day from 9-5 as a pilgrim chapel and a place of prayer. The garden at the back of the chapel has been restored and will be opening as a place for quiet contemplation. There is a large car park on Station Road. The nearest post code is NR22 6DG and the grid reference is TF 932368.

“Website”:http://iconpainter.org.uk/

ESW

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.