Welcome

Welcome to our website which we hope will be of interest or a source of information to you. Ours is a parish of the Antiochian Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, which is in communion with all the canonical Orthodox Churches and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In line with Orthodox practice, our services are in the language of the people; in our case, English, Orthodox visitors of other backgrounds saying the Lord's Prayer in their native tongue. 

The Orthodox Church lies in a tradition that goes back in an unbroken line to the Church of the Apostles and the earthly life of Christ Himself. We are often portayed as a very conservative church but this is a matter of faith and history; one cannot change the truth to fit into a very fleeting, passing, timescale when viewed with the eternity of God and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In our church you will see many icons of Christ, the Mother of God and many saints and sacred events; a feature of Orthodoxy that proclaims the Incarnation of our Lord and God Jesus Christ and are often referred to as "windows into heaven". The priestly vestments are very beautiful; not for the glorification of the clergy but for the glory of sinful humanity transformed by the Grace of God. The Divine Liturgy is the principal service, when the faithful may receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Incense is used in all our services and permeates the fabric of the church itself. Thus we have a church that is internally very beautiful visually, has the aroma of sanctity and our ears are filled with beautiful music (Just human voices: instruments are not allowed). In some way the church building reflects the glory of Heaven and a place fitting for God.

Anyone may come to our church to "have a look" and you are assured of a warm welcome. Do not worry about how to act or what to do; just let the experience take care of itself. If you need any information about any aspect of our church or the Orthodox Church in general, do not hesitate to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fr. George (Evans), Parish Priest.

Fr George's Letter for September

TRAVELLERS

Many people spend a lot of time travelling in the summer months, often on holidays and, often, to exotic locations. In our world the ease of travel means that in space and time the world is much smaller and, what took months or years in times past, to get somewhere now takes hours. Telecommunications are instant and I can talk with our family in Japan via Skype although in real time we are nine hours apart. 

Our beloved Deacon, Fr. Michael, and his family will be back with us after their visit to Romania after driving all the way back through Europe. Subdeacon Yordan will be away for a while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Bulgarian Church which is wonderful.

The Church embarks on a journey on 1st. September - that is the Church's New Year when we begin the liturgical calendar when we commemorate all the great events of our Faith. The repetitive feasts and fasts may make us become over familiar and accept them as "what we do". However, each one of our Sundays and feast days is special and instructive and we should pay attention to each and every one of them. At each Divine Liturgy the Lord comes to us in real time and in all eternity, we are pilgrim travellers in space and time but more importantly we experience the Love of God which is eternal.

How exciting to be able to travel with God even if we have to carry a cross and we get weary. Did He not say, "Come unto me all you who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest." 

Much Love,

Fr. George.