Tag Archives: Orthodoxy

Winefrid, virgin martyr and abbess of Gwytherin

Read about the life of Saint Winefrid and her importance for the town of Shrewsbury Continue reading

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Holy Scripture in the Orthodox Church – the Septuagint

Introduction The Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible are part of God’s revelation to mankind.  The Orthodox Church claims that the author of the Old Testament is truly God Himself, but it recognises that it is equally the

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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

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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

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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

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Holy and Great Thursday

Join us for Holy and Great Thursday as we commemorate the Mystical Supper—the first Eucharist served by Christ Himself—where He established the new covenant through His Body and Blood. In this sacred service, we are reminded not only of Christ’s sacrifice but also of His commandment to love one another, for “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Continue reading

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Holy Unction

Join us for the ancient sacrament of Holy Unction this Wednesday evening, where olive oil is blessed through seven prayers for the healing of both soul and body, continuing a tradition established in the earliest days of the Church. “Are any among you sick? Let them call for the presbyters of the Church to pray over them and annoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord” (James 5:14) Continue reading

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An Interpretation of the Hymnography of Matins on Holy Tuesday

“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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Our Duties for Holy and Great Week

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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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

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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

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First Homily for the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross (St. Luke of Simferopol)

 By St. Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly

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Annual Pilgrimage of Saint Winifred 2023

On the first Saturday of October, many pilgrims from Shrewsbury and other local communities attended the pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Saint Winifred in Holywell, Wales. Following Matins and Divine Liturgy, the pilgrims processed solemnly from the well chapel

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Orthodox Crossing: Reliquary and Me

I am not a big one for digging, generally, but then I garden for what I earn so I am digging for a lot of the time. And when I am, I find things; dirt, bits of old pottery, a

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The visit of His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene and fundraising BBQ

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene presided at Matins and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The Very Reverend Protopresbyter Stephen Maxfield and Presbyter Panteleimon Maxfield, and Presbyter David Walker served with His Grace. To mark His

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Visit of His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene

On Sunday 9 July, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene will make a pastoral visit to the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers. His Grace will preside at Matins at 9 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy. All are encouraged to

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Orthodox Crossing: What Just Happened?

Time, that old constant that always seems to be shifting depending on your relationship to it at that moment. Activities can transcend it, and so can place and space. In another life ago, I worked as a stagehand for a

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Orthodox Crossing: Crowns and Clippings

Symbolic gestures are always going off all over the place, in parallel to ourselves, like the unseen realm itself. My right hand and entire arm was most certainly animated when I ripped the starter cord off of a lawn mower

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Thomas Didn’t Believe So That All May Believe (St. Gregory the Great)

Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He was the only disciple absent; on his return, he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time;

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Homily on Holy Saturday: The Lord Descends into Hades

“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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