Services
Great Canon of St Andrew
Each year, the Canon of St. Andrew is read over the first four days of Great Lent, during Great Compline. It is then read in full on the fifth Thursday in Great Lent. It is one of the most spiritually uplifting and inspiring canons in the Holy Tradition of our Church. The holy Canon is a "dialogue between St. Andrew and his soul." The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one's life or, in other words, to repent.
Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
On the fifth Friday of Great Lent we celebrate the very festive, uniquely and mystically beautiful Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos. We hear the bright and wonderful refrain “Rejoice, O Bride unwedded,” at the end of each stanza. The place of the Theotokos in Lent is significant, since without her there is no incarnation.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy - St Mary of Egypt
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study online with Fr Juan at 7 p.m. each Friday of Great Lent. Looking at the Pre-Lenten Triodion Readings and in the final session, looking forward to Holy Week.
St. Luke 18:10-14, St. Luke 15:11-32, St. Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 6:14-21 and two of the Holy Week texts.
To join: https://meet.google.com/xhv-ryzr-sdp
Sacrament of Holy Unction
The Orthodox Church has always viewed body and soul as inseparable, and for that reason has stressed the necessity for preserving both in good health.
The Sacrament of the Holy Unction is an enduring sacrament of faith for healing the sick and forgiving sins, with the most familiar celebration of the sacrament on Great Wednesday of Holy Week.
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Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil (presanctified gifts)
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, is used on the first three days of Holy Week.
Why is Vespers in the morning and Matins in the evening? During this week the Church deliberately changes around Her sense of time. As we move toward the passion the Church emphasises that the transcendence and otherworldly import of these holy days is so absolute that, in a way, time itself is truly suspended. These are the holiest of holy hours, which stand outside of ordinary reckoning, when the Son of God, Jesus the God-Man, prepares Himself to suffer agony and death out of love for us all.
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Matins of 12 Gospels
The Twelve Matins Gospels recounting the Passion from the Last Supper to the sealing of the tomb, interspersed throughout the Matins service. The faithful stand holding lighted candles during the reading of each of these twelve Gospels.
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Royal hours followed by Vespers of the deposition
The Great Hours or Royal Hours are chanted and read as one service on Great Friday morning. During the vespers of the deposition of Christ from the Cross, following, we take down the icon of Christ's body from the cross and wrap it in a new, white linen sheet. This act commemorates the removal of Christ's body from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-42).
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Matins of the Lamentations
According to the order of the Lenten Triodion, the Matins service for Holy and Great Saturday is served Friday night. This service includes what are called the Lamentations of the Theotokos.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has been taken down from the cross, and His Most Pure Mother laments and grieves over His lifeless Body, but theologises concerning the mystery of His death and our redemption. The Burial Shroud (Epitaphios) remains in the centre of the church to symbolise Jesus’s burial in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
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Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday
The Church commemorates the descent of our Lord into Hades, his victory over Death, and his glorious Resurrection. In the Byzantine Rite, this commemoration consists of the solemn celebration of Vespers, followed immediately by the Divine Liturgy of Our Holy Father Basil the Great. Also known as the Earthquake Service.
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Chrismation
It is traditional to welcome new members into the Church at Pascha after a period of preparation.
Chrismation (from Greek chriein, “to anoint”) is the sacrament that introduces new members into Orthodox Christianity. Together with baptism, it confirms a person's membership in the Church. If Chrismation is used to accept a person into the Orthodox Church, it completes their earlier baptism.
Chrism oil, also known as myron or holy anointing oil, is a consecrated mixture of olive oil and balsam used in various sacraments and ecclesiastical functions within the Orthodox church.
The Paschal Service
Every year on Pascha, the church goes dark, and the priest emerges from the altar holding a single candle, its flame burning brightly. He chants, “Come, receive the light from the light that is never overtaken by night.” Then, one by one, the people light their candles from the candle held by the priest and form a great procession out of the church. Choir, servers, priest and people, led by the bearers of the cross, banners, icons and Gospel-book, circle the church. The bells are rung incessantly and the angelic hymn of the resurrection is chanted. “Christ is risen”, “He is risen indeed”.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Agape Vespers and Festal Picnic
Agape Vespers (also called Vespers of Love) is a Vespers service that continues the celebration of Pascha, typically held in the afternoon on the day of Pascha. At this service, the Gospel reading (John 20:19-25) depicts the first appearance of the risen Lord to his disciples. It is recited in many languages (often as many languages as are known by those present in the congregation), symbolising that the glorious resurrection of Christ is proclaimed to all the nations of the world.
The service will be followed by a bring-and-share Festal Picnic (due to weather forecast!)
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy - Myrrh-bearers
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study online with Fr Juan at 7 p.m. each Friday of Great Lent. Looking at the Pre-Lenten Triodion Readings and in the final session, looking forward to Holy Week.
St. Luke 18:10-14, St. Luke 15:11-32, St. Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 6:14-21 and two of the Holy Week texts.
To join: https://meet.google.com/xhv-ryzr-sdp
Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study online with Fr Juan at 7 p.m. each Friday of Great Lent. Looking at the Pre-Lenten Triodion Readings and in the final session, looking forward to Holy Week.
St. Luke 18:10-14, St. Luke 15:11-32, St. Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 6:14-21 and two of the Holy Week texts.
To join: https://meet.google.com/xhv-ryzr-sdp
Divine Liturgy - St Gregory Palamas
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study online with Fr Juan at 7 p.m. each Friday of Great Lent. Looking at the Pre-Lenten Triodion Readings and in the final session, looking forward to Holy Week.
St. Luke 18:10-14, St. Luke 15:11-32, St. Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 6:14-21 and two of the Holy Week texts.
To join: https://meet.google.com/xhv-ryzr-sdp
Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study online with Fr Juan at 7 p.m. each Friday of Great Lent. Looking at the Pre-Lenten Triodion Readings and in the final session, looking forward to Holy Week.
St. Luke 18:10-14, St. Luke 15:11-32, St. Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 6:14-21 and two of the Holy Week texts.
To join: https://meet.google.com/xhv-ryzr-sdp
Great Canon of St Andrew
Each year the Canon of St. Andrew is read over the first four days in Great Lent during Great Compline. It is one of the most spiritually uplifting and inspiring canons in the Holy Tradition of our Church. The holy Canon is a "dialogue between St. Andrew and his soul." The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one's life or in other words to repent.
Great Canon of St Andrew
Each year the Canon of St. Andrew is read over the first four days in Great Lent during Great Compline. It is one of the most spiritually uplifting and inspiring canons in the Holy Tradition of our Church. The holy Canon is a "dialogue between St. Andrew and his soul." The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one's life or in other words to repent.
Great Canon of St Andrew
Each year the Canon of St. Andrew is read over the first four days in Great Lent during Great Compline. It is one of the most spiritually uplifting and inspiring canons in the Holy Tradition of our Church. The holy Canon is a "dialogue between St. Andrew and his soul." The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one's life or in other words to repent.
Great Canon of St Andrew
Each year the Canon of St. Andrew is read over the first four days in Great Lent during Great Compline. It is one of the most spiritually uplifting and inspiring canons in the Holy Tradition of our Church. The holy Canon is a "dialogue between St. Andrew and his soul." The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one's life or in other words to repent.
Vespers of Forgiveness
On the evening of the Sunday of Forgiveness, the Church conducts the first service of Great Lent, the Vespers of Forgiveness. This service directs us further on the path of repentance, helps us acknowledge our need for forgiveness from God, and encourages us to seek forgiveness from our brothers and sisters in Christ.
After the dismissal at Vespers, the priest stands before the ambon, and the faithful come up one by one and venerate the icon of Christ, after which each makes a prostration before the priest, saying, "Forgive me, a sinner." The priest also makes a prostration before each, saying, "God forgives. Forgive me." The person responds, "As God forgives, I forgive." and receives a blessing from the priest. After receiving the priest's blessing, the faithful also ask each other for forgiveness in the same manner.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Divine Liturgy - Forgiveness Sunday
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Typica
The Service of Typika is a short service used when the Divine Liturgy cannot be celebrated, when a priest is not available. It includes the pre-Communion psalms, the day's Divine Liturgy readings, and Hymns called troparia. The Epistle and Gospel readings are read, not chanted.
The service is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Blessing of the Waters
We will bless the water at church after the liturgy on Sunday, 5th January, at around 11:30.
There will be a further blessing, of the river Avon, at Evesham, around 2:30pm. Meet at Evesham Ferry.
The Blessing of the Waters (Agiasmos) With His Baptism, our Lord blessed the nature of the waters and the natural world. According to the Orthodox Faith, in the same way, the Holy Spirit sanctifies water – the most essential natural element – during the service of the Blessing of the Waters.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.
Matins
The morning service of the Church is called Matins. It opens with the reading of six morning psalms and the intoning of the Great Litany. After this, verses of Psalm 118 are sung: God is the Lord and has revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
This service immediately precedes the Divine Liturgy. Anyone requiring confession is invited to make themselves known to the priest for this purpose during the service.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the primary worship service of the Church. It is a Eucharistic service and comprises two parts: Liturgy of the Word, at which the Scriptures are proclaimed and expounded; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the gifts of bread and wine are offered and consecrated; the faithful then partake of them in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy is followed by a bring and share lunch.
Come and see! Come and join us.