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 March

WHY DO WE COME TO CHURCH?

As we embark on the great journey to Holy Pascha, let us ponder why we come to church. There are many reasons that the so called experts give us. Is it a cultural upbringing, a desire to make sense of the world, fear of death or the need to belong out of loneliness or an unfulfilled life? Many reasons are given  but what motivates us deep down? In the 21st. century we live in a world where faith and religion are of no general concern and they have no real place in society. The Western Church seems always striving to be relevent by aping society's values in the hope that it will attract more people, the statistics tell us that this just doesn't work but they don't seem to notice.

Our Orthodoxy is regarded as very conservative and old fashioned but is admired for its beautiful churches and the beauty of our services yet thought to be of no real use. Fr. Michael and I were in the chip shop picking up fish and chips to share with one of our elderly members who had been unable to come to church for many weeks and who had been brought the Holy Mysteries on several occasions. There were a couple of ladies in the chippy one of whom said " Are you Jewish?" Strange when I was wearing a pectoral cross and we were both in clerical garb. While I was deciding what drinks to get Fr. Michael explained to them that we were Orthodox Christians. The ladies seemed quite impressed but more importantly something stirred in them. Their parting words were a heartfelt "God bless!"

The point is that we all have the spark of God in us which may be dormant or active and it is this at the end of the day that brings us to church. Our Faith is ancient and has values and love that are eternal and which over  2000 years of triumph and persecution has survived even in times worse than those in which we live. By our love we will bring people to find God again not by preaching or bribes but our practical concern for all God's people, that is all humanity, each of whom have the Creators spark of life in them. When the priest or deacon censes each one of you in church bow in reverence for it is the life that God has in you that is being honoured and blessed. Our sure hope, from the very first whispered "Christ is Risen!" to the openly and loudly "He is  Risen Indeed!", that we proclaim in our churches today is the basis of all our searching for God.

Much Love,

Fr. George.