Tag Archives: Orthodox

The Nativity of the Forerunner

On the Birth of the Honourable, Glorious, Prophet and Baptist John By St. Luke of Simferopol In the history of mankind there are only two major events which God announced by means of the Archangel Gabriel. These are the Birth

Posted in Feasts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Saturday of Souls: In the Hope of the Resurrection of Christ

On 22 June, at 10am, there will be a Divine Liturgy and Memorial service for Ψυχοσάββατο – Moșii de vară – Задушница – Saturday of Souls. In the Orthodox Church, there is an important and long-standing tradition of praying for

Posted in Catechesis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

2024 Paniyiri of the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers

On 16 June, the Sunday of the 318 Godbearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene presided at Orthros and celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the feast day of the church. Also serving

Posted in Feasts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Our patrons, the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea

The Sixth Sunday after the Great Feast of All-Holy Pascha is observed by the Orthodox Church as the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. This day commemorates the 318 God-bearing Fathers who gathered in the city

Posted in Feasts, Hagiography | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Our patrons, the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea

Feast of the 318 Holy Fathers, Shrewsbury

This weekend, we celebrate our patronal feast—the feast of the 318 Godbearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. On Saturday we will have festal vespers at 6pm. We will celebrate Matins and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at

Posted in Events, Social | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Melangell, Abbess of Pennant

On 27 May we celebrate the Feast of Saint Melangell. We will have vespers at 7pm on Friday, 26 May and a Divine Liturgy on Saturday, 27 May at 9am. In Ireland around the year 590 AD a young woman

Posted in British Saints, Hagiography | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Melangell, Abbess of Pennant

The Panagia, the Life-Giving Spring

The feast of the Life-Giving Spring that we celebrate on the Friday of Renewal Week is a feast of our Panagia. The following is written in the Synaxarion of the day: “On the Friday of Renewal Week we celebrate the

Posted in Feasts | Tagged | Comments Off on The Panagia, the Life-Giving Spring

Photo gallery of Holy Week and Pascha

Christ is risen! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Hristos a înviat! Христос воскресе! Christus ist auferstanden! Христос васкрсе! ¡Cristo resucitó! Христос воскрес! Christus ist auferstanden! Kristus er oppstanden! Christus resurrexit! Le Christ est ressuscité! Cristo è risorto! Atgyfododd Crist! !‎  المسيح قام! حقا قام

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Epitaphios

The Epitaphios is an ornate embroidered icon depicting the body of Christ laying on the Tomb. The word Epitaphios comes from a Greek expression meaning “on the tomb” (= επί του τάφου).  On the Epitaphios, Christ can be alone, or

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Did Christ Suffer Crucifixion?

By His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Koroneia “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are — yet

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Why Did Christ Suffer Crucifixion?

Holy and Great Thursday

Thursday morning is marked by the service of the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. Though we recall the Mystical Supper during every Divine Liturgy, now, in particular, we are reminded of the very first Eucharist served by our

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Holy and Great Thursday

Orthodox Crossing: A Case of Moving Home

I moved house a fair amount as a child. Being the youngest of four brothers, I didn’t get the choice of which new bedroom was going to be mine, but I did like tearing about the space and getting a

Posted in Orthodox Crossing Blog | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Holy Unction

14Are any among you sick? Let them call for the presbyters of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord.15The prayer of faith will heal those who are sick and the

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Holy Unction

An Interpretation of the Hymnography of Matins on Holy Tuesday

By Dr. Michael Koutsos Plagal of the Fourth Tone Behold, the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night, and blessed is the servant whom He finds watching. And again unworthy is he whom he shall find careless. See to it, my

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Our Duties for Holy and Great Week

By Metropolitan Augoustinos Kantiotes of Florina This very day is clothed with the bright robes of the first-fruits of the Lord’s passion. Come, then, all feast lovers, let us welcome it with songs. (Kathisma, Great Monday). We have arrived, my beloved, at the saving

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Our Duties for Holy and Great Week

Schedule of Services for Holy Week and Pascha in Shrewsbury 2024

You will find below the schedule of services for Holy Week and Pascha in English, Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian and Russian

Posted in Holy Week | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ordination of Stephen Edwards to the Holy Diaconate

On Saturday, 20 April 2024, Mr Stephen Edwards was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers. His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Protopresbyter Stephen Maxfield, Oeconomos Timothy Pearce and Presbyter

Posted in Announcements | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Synaxarion for Saturday of the Akathistos Hymn

On the fifth Saturday of the Great Fast, we celebrate the praise of our Most-holy Lady, theTheotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, during which “it is not permitted to sit.” VersesThe city in thanksgiving and watchfulness doth praiseHer who upholdeth and constantly

Posted in Feasts | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Saturday of the Akathist Hymn

By Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos [On the Fifth] Saturday [of the fast] we chant the Akathist Hymn during Matins. In our days however this does not happen except in the holy monasteries, since in the parishes it is chanted the evening before, on Friday

Posted in Feasts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Visit of His Grace Bishop Maximos to Shrewsbury

On Sunday of St John Climacus, 14 April 2024, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene presided over Matins and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St Julian’s Church in Shrewsbury. The service was concelebrated by the Revd Protopresbyter Stephen Maxfield, Priest-in-charge

Posted in Events | Tagged , | Leave a comment