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 July

Most Holy Mother of God Save Us

“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”

(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo who consecrated our temple.)

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:15-16

Sunday 12^th July. 5^th Sunday after Pentecost. St Veronica who was healed by Christ. Martyrs Proklos and Hilarion of Ancyra. Martyr Serapion. St Michael Maleinos. St Paisios the Hagiorite (Mt Athos 1994). Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, of the Three Hands.

Today’s Gospel reading : Matthew: 8:28—9:1. “When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men,.......”

“God gives His grace to the humble and meek. That is, He gives them all that they need, and that because they pray to Him in their humility and meekness. Who are these meek and who are these humble? They are those who feel their weakness and their total dependence on their Creator. They are as full as the sea and as dependent as the sea.”    From a sermon of Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic, from The Prologue From Ochrid (Translated by Mother Maria).

In today’s Gospel we hear of Christ being met by two demon possessed men, the demons asking that Christ sends them into the herd of swine who rush headlong into the water and perish. Christ has dominion over all the dark forces in the world and His love is boundless despite our weakness and sin and  He comes to us in many different ways that we do not always see. You may have noticed that the icon attached is different to  the usual one but it is the original version of the icon which is called the “Protecting Veil of the Mother of God”. This is one of my old icons that incorporates two different events with the same theme that happened centuries apart. St Andrew, Fool for Christ and his young disciple Epiphanios look up to the Mother of God who appeared in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople with angels and saints and witnessed by all the congregation including the Emperor and Empress. The Mother of God spread her veil over all the congregation. At this time the city was spared an attack by barbarians. The young man in the middle is St Romanus the hymnographer who also witnessed such an event, he is dressed in deacon’s robes and was renowned for his hymn writing.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us.

God bless all of you.

Much Love,

Fr. George.

P.S. Will let you know when we are able to open the church safely and with the blessing of Metropolitan Silouan.