Monthly Archives: April 2025

Shropshire monastic property for sale

Posted on 25 April 2025 by Charley Lavender

🔔 For Sale: A Sacred Place in Shropshire

Lower Gittenshay Cottage in Shropshire—formerly the Monastery of St Anthony & St Cuthbert—is now available for sale by informal tender.

The Trustees invite interested parties to submit offers and continue the legacy of this cherished space. Please share with anyone—individual, parish, or community—who may feel called to preserve its spiritual purpose. All proceeds from the sale will support Orthodox charitable work in the Midlands.

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Orthodox Crossing: Being Useful

Posted on 13 April 2025 by JBowe

Where does one begin, when you start looking at it? I mean that in no way to be some pervasive effort at a meaningful thought, but rather that I was looking at a pernicious shrub outside the entrance to our

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Photo Gallery of Holy Week and Pascha 2025

Posted on 22 April 2025 by admin

Christ is risen! It’s time to relive Holy Week and Pascha through photographs. Continue reading →

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2025 Holy Week and Pascha services in Shrewsbury

Posted on 9 April 2025 by admin

Shrewsbury Orthodox Church 2025 Holy Week and Pascha service schedules in English, Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Russian, and Serbian Continue reading →

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The Panagia, the Life-Giving Spring

Posted on 25 April 2025 by admin

Discover the miraculous story of the Panagia, the Life-Giving Spring, whose feast we celebrate during Renewal Week and whose holy waters have healed emperors, patriarchs, and countless faithful throughout history. Read about the beautiful tradition of this sacred church in Constantinople where the Theotokos herself guided a future emperor to healing waters that continue to bless the Orthodox faithful to this day. Continue reading →

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Why Did Christ Suffer Crucifixion?

Posted on 17 April 2025 by admin

Metropolitan Panteleimon of Koroneia explains the true meaning of Christ’s crucifixion—not as punishment to satisfy Divine Justice, but as an act of love that enables Him to help us in our own suffering and unite us with God the Father. Continue reading →

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An Interpretation of the Hymnography of Matins on Holy Tuesday

Posted on 14 April 2025 by admin

“Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight”—read about the profound hymns of Holy Tuesday that remind us to keep our spiritual lamps burning with virtues and right faith. Dr. Michael Koutsos’s illuminating interpretation reveals how these ancient texts call us to be vigilant and ready, multiplying our God-given talents so that we may be found worthy to enter the bridal chamber of Christ’s Kingdom. Continue reading →

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Holy and Great Monday

Posted on 13 April 2025 by Fr Panteleimon Maxfield

On Holy Monday, we commemorate the righteous Joseph, whose life foreshadows Christ’s—betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, yet rising to save his people from famine. We also reflect on the barren fig tree cursed by Christ, reminding us that we too must bear spiritual fruit as we begin our journey through Holy Week with the solemn “Behold, the Bridegroom Comes.” Continue reading →

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Our Duties for Holy and Great Week

Posted on 13 April 2025 by Fr Panteleimon Maxfield

Great Week is a sacred time for Orthodox Christians to observe the Passion of Christ through thanksgiving, prayer, fasting, Holy Communion, and forgiveness. In this homily we are taught that these 168 hours honour “great events, unique and world historic, which shocked the earth, the heavens, and that which is below the earth.” Continue reading →

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The Matins of the Bridegroom Services

Posted on 14 April 2025 by admin

The first three evenings of Holy Week are marked by the beautiful and solemn Bridegroom Matins services, focusing on Joseph the Excellent, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and the Anointing of the Lord by the penitent woman. Each service calls us to be vigilant and prepared for Christ’s coming, with oil in our lamps—representing the Holy Spirit and compassion—and hearts ready for repentance like the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet. Continue reading →

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Homily on Holy Saturday: The Lord Descends into Hades

Posted on 19 April 2025 by admin

“Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep.” In this homily from St. Epiphanius, we witness Christ’s triumphant descent into Hades where He takes Adam by the hand and declares, “I am your God, who for your sake have become your son; rise from the dead, for I am the Life of the dead.” Continue reading →

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A song of Romanos the Melodist for the Feast of Palms

Posted on 13 April 2025 by admin

Experience the profound beauty of Romanos the Melodist’s ancient hymn for Palm Sunday, where Christ is praised as both the humble rider on a colt and the Almighty who comes “to call back Adam” from death. Contemplate this poetic masterpiece that captures the paradox of our Saviour—throned in heaven yet willingly embracing poverty on earth—as we prepare for the journey through Holy Week. Continue reading →

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