Forthcoming Services

For a detailed monthly Greek Orthodox Liturgical calendar please follow this LINK

With much thanks to the Greek Archdiocese of America for some of the service detail contained below.

May 2026

Day	Date	Start	End	Details
Sunday	3rd	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy Service
Sunday	10th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy Service
Sunday	17th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy Service
Wednesday	20th	18.30	20.00	Vespers for St Constantine & St Helen
Thursday	21st	9.30	12.00	St Constantine & St Helen service
Sunday	24th	9.00	12.30	Divine Liturgy Service in the presence of H.E. Archbishop Nikitas
Sunday	31st	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy Service

AApriil iinclluding Πάσχα/EaΠάσχα/Eastter 20262026

As always there is a packed service schedule this Πάσχα with the holiest of weeks commencing Saturday 4th April and culminating Sunday 12th.

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Scripture Readings
Saturday	4th	9.30	12.00	Saturday of Lazarus – Holy Liturgy of St John Chrysostom	Hebrews 12:28-29;13:1-8, John 11:1-45
Saturday	4th	12.30	13.30	Vespers of Palm Sunday
Sunday	5th	9.30	12.45	Palm Sunday – Morning Holy Liturgy of St John Chrysostom	Matthew 21:1-11; 15-17, Philippians 4:4-9, John 12:1-18
Sunday	5th	19.00	20.30	Evening Service of Bridegroom Christ
Monday	6th	10.00	11.30	Holy Monday – Presanctified Holy Liturgy	Matthew 21:18-43, 24:3-35
Monday	6th	19.00	20.30	Evening Service of Bridegroom Christ
Tuesday	7th	10.00	11.30	Holy Tuesday – Presanctified Holy Liturgy	Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39, 24:36-51; 25:1-46; 26:1-2; 22:15-46; 23:1-39
Tuesday	7th	19.00	20.30	Evening Service of Bridegroom Christ (Parable of the 10 Virgins)
Wednesday	8th	10.00	11.30	Holy Wednesday – Presanctified Holy Liturgy	John 12:17-50; Matthew 26:6-16
Wednesday	8th	18.00	21.30	Evening Service of the Anointing of the Lord
Thursday	9th	9.30	12.30	Holy Thursday – Morning Liturgy of St Basil	Luke 22:1-39; I Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew 26:1-20; John 13:3-17; Matthew 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-44; Matthew 26:40-75; 27:1-
Thursday	9th	18.30	21.30	Evening Service of the Last Supper
Friday	10th	10.00	11.30	Morning of the Imperial Hours – taking Christ down from the Cross	I Corinthians 5:6-8; Matthew 27:62-66
Friday	10th	18.30	22.00	The Passion of our Lord (procession 20.00 – 20.45)
Saturday	11th	9.30	12.30	Morning Liturgy of St Basil	Matthew 27:62-66; Romans 6:3-11; Matthew 28:1-20
Saturday	11th	23.00		Service of the Resurrection
Saturday	11th	Midnight		KALOS LOGOS, Holy Light
Saturday	11th	12.15am	1.45 am	Liturgy of St John Chrysostom followed by Holy Communion
Sunday	12th	12.30	13.30	Easter Vespers of Agape & Reading of the Gospel in various languages	Mark 16:1-8; Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17
Sunday	19th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Thomas Sunday	Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31
Thursday	23rd	9.30	12.00	George the Great Martyr and Triumphant (St George’s Day)	Luke 21:12-19; Acts 12:1-11; John 15:17-27; 16:1-2
Sunday	26th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women	Luke 24:1-12; Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

YYou cacan allso pickpick upp tthe Eae Easter s schhedulule leeafletflet nnoww ffromom the chhe churchch durduringng seservicvice hhours.

Lazzarus Saturday

Today, the Orthodox Church honors Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus Christ resurrected. The holiday of Lazarus Saturday is more popularly known as Lazarus Day.

SaSaint Lazarus,, oor LLazzarus off the FFourur DDayys,, is vveneneraateded in the EEastterrn OrOrthodox Church ox Church ass Rightghteousous Lazarus.. LLazaruszarus is thhe subjbject ofof a promininennt signign of Jesusus in in the GGosppel of JJohnhn, in wwhiich JJesussus rrestostoress hihim t to lif life fouur days affter hiss ddeatth..

IIn LLarnrnaca, Cca, Cyprus,prus, the proceprocessision off the IIcoon ofof SaSaint LLazzarusus takee pplacace todayday. ThThe tombomb off LLazzarurus reresidides is in thhe CChuurcch off SSaintt LLazazarus bubuiltt byy EmperEmperorr LLeoo VIVI iin tthe nninnth centtury.y.

According to the Gospel According to the Gospel account, Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary weccount, Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary welcocomeded JesJesus Christ is Christ into their home anto their home and believed in his mission. While Christ w believed in his mission. While Christ was in the lands bes in the lands beyond the Jordan River, Lazarus fell ill and died. On his return, Jesus resurrected him. The miracle was performed before the eyes of many Jews (the house of Lazarus was full of people, because according to the custom the dead were mourned for seven days) and it became a reason for them to believe in the Messiah:ond the Jordan River, Lazarus fell ill and died. On his return, Jesus resurrected him. The miracle was performed before the eyes of many Jews (the house of Lazarus was full of people, because according to the custom the dead were mourned for seven days) and it became a reason for them to believe in the Messiah:

“The”Then they took they took awaway the stone the stone from the carom the cave where the where the deead man was ld man was lying. And Jeing. And Jesusus liftlifted up his eyes and said: Father, I thank You d up his eyes and said: Father, I thank You for list listeningning to Mo Me.. And I knew thAnd I knew that You alwayt You always li listtenn tto Me; buMe; but t thisis I sI saidid for for the pepeople standing aple standing arounound,, so thso that tht theyy willwill bbelieve lieve that You have set You have sentt Me.” When he had said Me.” When he had said this,his, hhe c cried oied out in t in a loud voicoud voice, ‘Lazarus, co, ‘Lazarus, comee out!’out!’

“A”And thehe deadad man ccamme ouout wiwith his ha his handsds and ffeet wt wrappapped in burialburial cloloths, as, andd hiss facface wwas coves covereed wiwith a clo cloth.h. Jesus ssayys tto them:m: UnwUnwrap p him im andnd lelet himhim walk. Twalk. Thenn mmanyy of thhe J Jewws whowho had comad come to Ma to Maryy and ssaww whahat JesusJesus diddid bbelilieveve in in Him””. (Gospel of John 11:41-46)(Gospel of John 11:41-46)

Palm Sunday

On SSunday,, fivve ddays before thhe PPassovverr of the Lawaw, the LLord ccamme fromm BBethanhany to Jerusalem.

SSendingding twtwo o of HiHis didiscciplples to bbringg Hiim a foal of an ass, HHe saat thereon and enenteredred inintoo the cie city.y. When When thee muultitudetitude there hethere heardrd thhat Jt Jesussus wwass comming, thg, theyy ststraaightwayhtway tookok up up the brbrancchess off papalm trm trees in theirir hhandds, and wwent foorth tto mmeet Himt Him.

Othersrs sprspread thad their r garmentsarments onn thee grounground, , and nd yetet ototherers cucut branc branchess fromrom the trtreees and ststrewewed themem inn the wway that Jey that Jesuus was t was to pass; and all pass; and all off ththem tog togethether,, eespeccially ally thee chchildren,ldren, went bnt beforefore anand after H after Him, m, cryrying out: “Hosanna: Bng out: “Hosanna: Blessedsed iss He He thatat cometh ometh in n thehe NamName of thof the Lor Lord,, the King of IsKing of Israel”el” (Joh(John 12:13). This is 12:13). This is the radradiaantt and gloriolorious ffestivalival of our Lord’s our Lord’s entryntry intoto JerJerusalem tsalem that we celebt we celebraatee today.today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ’s victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means “Save, I pray,” or “Save, now.” The foal of an ass, and Jesus’ sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

Holy TThursday

OnOn the evveninging of ththis day day, which wwhich wass the evve of tthe ffeasast of uunlleaveveneed brreaad (that (that is,s, the PaPassovsover),r), ouour R Redeemerer suppuppedd wwitth His twelvlve disciiscipleles in the citycity. He bblessssed the bbreadd andnd the wwinne,, and gaveve usus the MystMysteryy oof thee DDivinvine EuchEucharristst.

He wasHe washedd the feet the feet off the the discsciplpless as an as an exxample of mple of humility. Humility. He saidaid openly tpenly thaat onne of of themm waas about to bbout to bettray Hay Him,m, and HeHe popointed d ouut th the bbettrayer by revealayer by revealing that that it wat was he “that he “that dipppeth hith his hhand wwith Me Me in tthe ddissh.”.” And aftAnd after Judar Judas hhad strastraightwayghtway ggonne fforrth,, JJesussus gavgave the discipldiscipless Hisis finfinall and sand subblimime innstructioructions,s, wwhichch are care containntained id in the fifirsst GospGospell ReReadining of thee HHoly PPassision (Jo(John 13:31-18:1 knn 13:31-18:1 knownwn ass the Gothe Gospel of tel of the Testa Testament)nt).

After tAfter this this the God-ma God-man wenwent fort forth to th to the Mount of OliveMount of Olives, , and nd therehere He began to be sorrowful and He began to be sorrowful and in anguanguish.h. He went oHe went off f alonlone, and and bending nding thehe knees knees He prayed fervently. Froe prayed fervently. From HiHis gr greatat anguish, anguish, Hiss ssweaeat became as ibecame as it w werere gregreat dropt drops of blood falling blood falling to to the grouground. A. As soosoon as He ha as He had complompleteted thatthat aanguishguishedd prprayerer, llo, J, Judas came witdas came with a m a mulltiitudude of sof soldidiersrs aand a d a greareat crowd; ocrowd; on gree greeting the Teacher guing the Teacher guilee fully wifully with a kiss, h a kiss, he betbetrayed Hayed Himm.

The LThe Lord Jesus was then apprehended and taken prisoner to the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. The disciprd Jesus was then apprehended and taken prisoner to the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. The discipleses wewere scattered, but Peter, who was more fervent than the others, followed He scattered, but Peter, who was more fervent than the others, followed Him even into the court of the high priest, but in the enm even into the court of the high priest, but in the end denied thrice th denied thrice that he was His disciple.t he was His disciple.

TThen ouour diviivine TeacTeacheer was brougught befbeforere thhe llawlewlesss SanSanheddriin andnd wwass interrogated concernconcerningg HiHis disisciplipless and HHiss teteachihing. Th. The highigh pripriestst adjureddjured HHim befm beforre GodGod thathat HHe t tellll themm whethher He wHe was trulyruly thhe CChrrist. Andnd havhaving spoken spoken the ttruuth,, He wass jjudgeddged guiguilty of dty of deathath, suppospposedlyly asas onene who had who had blasphlasphemmed.

Then theyy sppat inn His ffacce, bebeat HHimm, smmotte Him Him with thee palms palms of theieir hannds,s, annd momockked Himm iin every wevery way,y, thrroughouout thhe whholle nighight untill the mmorrninging.

Holy Friday

WWhen FridaFriday ddawwned,, ChrChristst waswas sentent bbouundd ffroom Caiaphas to Po Caiaphas to Pontiuius PilPilatte, who w, who wass thenn GoveGovernnorr of Judof Judea.a. PilPilatte ininterrerrogaated Him in med Him in manyny wways,ys, andnd oncce a and d agagain ackcknowleowledgedged that He was innocnnocent,, bubut to ppleease the JewJews, he lalaterr ppassedsed thee ssentencce off ddeatath againagainst HHim.m. AfterAfter scourgscourging thee LLordd off all all as though He though He were a runawa runaway slave,ave, hee surrsurrenderedndered HHim m too bbe ccrucucififiedd.

TThuss the LLord Jerd Jesuus was handanded ovverr tto ththe soldoldiersers, was strippstripped ofof HHiss gagarmmennts, wwass cloclothed in a pu purpleple rrobe,be, was cwas crowowned with a wreawreath of of thornsns, hahad a reereed plaplacedd in HHis haand ass thougough it were a scscepptrre,, was bowebowed bbeffore in mmockckeryry, was sppat upupon,n, andnd was buffbuffeted inin thhe faceace andand oon the hheadad.

Then they again clothed Him in His own garments, and bearing the cross, He came to Golgotha, a place of condemnation, and there, about the third hour, He was crucified between two thieves. Although both blasphemed Him at the first, the thief at His right hand repented, and said: “Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom,” to which our Saviour answered, “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”

AsAs HHe hung upon hung upon the CCross, Hoss, He w wass blblasphemesphemed by thoby those who were pe who were passssing by, waby, was mock mocked by the hd by the high prieh priests,ts, andand by the sby the soldieldierss was given vinegawas given vinegar to to drinkrink mixmixed with gall. Abod with gall. Aboutt tthe ne ninnthh hhour, Hur, He c criied ouout with a l with a louud voice, s voice, sayinging, “It is fi”It is finisheished.”.” AAndd ththe La Lamb of God “WGod “Which takich takethth aaway thay the sin of tsin of the woworld” (John 1:29) ld” (John 1:29) expxpirred on on the day when day when the mhe moon was fuon was full,l, and a at the hour when, e hour when, according ccording too the Lthe Law,w, wwas slain thslain the PassPassover lamver lamb, which wa, which was establishstablished as a typas a type of Him in th of Him in the ttime of Mosesme of Moses.

Even lifeless creation mourned the death of the Master, and it trembled and was altered out of fear. Yet, even though the Maker of creation was already dead, they pierced Even lifeless creation mourned the death of the Master, and it trembled and was altered out of fear. Yet, even though the Maker of creation was already dead, they pierced Him in His immaculate side, and fim in His immaculate side, and forthwith came there out Brthwith came there out Blood and Water. Finallood and Water. Finally,, at abo about the setting of the sun, Joseph of At the setting of the sun, Joseph of Arimathea came with Nicoimathea came with Nicodemus (both of them hemus (both of them had been secret disciples of Jesus), and thed been secret disciples of Jesus), and they took down the all-holy Body of the Teacher from the Cross and anointed it with aromatic spices, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. When they had buried Him in a new tomb, they rolled a great stone over its entrance. took down the all-holy Body of the Teacher from the Cross and anointed it with aromatic spices, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. When they had buried Him in a new tomb, they rolled a great stone over its entrance.

Such aSuch aree the dredread and and savvingng suffufferrings off ourour LorLord JJesussus CChrristt commcommemoraratedd today,oday, and in rin remembrmembrancnce of of them, wewe hhave receve receivved thee ApApostoltolic commandmenc commandment that a fasst b be obbservvedd everyry FFriddayy.

Holy SSaturday

On Saturday, the high priests and Pharisees gathered together before Pilate and asked him to have Jesus’ tomb sealed until the third day; because, as those enemies of God said, “We suspect that His disciples will come and steal His buried body by night, and then proclaim to the people that His resurrection is true, as that deceiver Himself foretold while He was yet alive; and then the last deception shall be worse than the first.”

After they had said these thiAfter they had said these things gs to Pilo Pilate and recete and received his permissived his permission,, they went and sealed the tthey went and sealed the tomb,mb, and assigned a watch fand assigned a watch for securitr security,, ththat is, g is, guaards from s from among the soldiers under the supervision of the high priests (Matt. 27:62-66). mong the soldiers under the supervision of the high priests (Matt. 27:62-66).

Whilile commmmemoratingmorating the enttombmmbmentt ofof the hholy Body of ouly Body of our Lord Lord tododay,y, wwe alalsoo cecelebrebratete HHiss dredreadd ddesccentnt wwithth HisHis soul,l, wheerebyeby HHe desdestrroyedyed ththe gagateses and bars d bars off Hadesades, and madand made H Hiss llighght to shino shine whe where one only ddarkrknessess hhad rd reigned (Job 3 8 ned (Job 3 8 : 17; Esa17; Esaiaas 49:9; 1 Peter 3:18-20); de49:9; 1 Peter 3:18-20); death wawas put to dput to death, Hadeath, Hades wa was stripp stripped off all iits captivs captives, ouur ffirrst pparerentsts andd all thl the right righteousous who dho dieded ffrom thom the beginning beginning of time raf time ran to Him Wo Him Whom thom theyy had awaihad awaited, and ted, and the holy angele holy angelic oc ordersers glorifieglorified God for the restor God for the restoration of our fallen racetion of our fallen race.

KonKontakionakion of Holy of Holy Sataturrday

HeHe Who Who enclosclosed the ddeepsps isis nonow seeen dedead;d; and and the immmmorttall OOnee is ls laidid in aa ttombb encenclossedd inn a shshrououd wiwithh myrrh.. WWomen,men, too,oo, comcome too anoint Him, wHim, weepingeping bitterlitterly andand lamlamenting:ting: “This Sabba”This Sabbath isis bllesssedd ababovve allll othethers,, ffor CChrist,rist, hhavingving fallallenn asleepsleep, willwill riise onn the tthirdird day.””

EEaster Sundayy

Mary Magdalene, and tthe ootherr womwomen who w who were prpresentsent aat the burial oburial of ourr SaviSaviour our on Frida Friday evevening,, rretuurnned d fromom GolgoGolgotha to tha to the cit city and pand prepapared frfragrrant spnt spices aces andd myrrh, smyrrh, so that that theyy mmighght anoanoinnt t thee bboddy ofof JJesus.us. OOn the momorrow,ow, bbecacausse of tthe law which foe law which forbbidds wworkrk oon thee ddayy ofof ththe SaSabbath,bath, theyy rrestedted fforr thee whwholle ddayy.

BButt at eaat early ly dawnawn on on the Su Sundayday ththatt followollowed, almostlmost thirty-thirty-sixix hohours ss sincnce thethe deeathth off the LifLife-g-giviving Redeemer, they came tRedeemer, they came to the sepepulchrelchre witth the spspiceces too ananointint His bobody.. WhWhilele theyy wewere cconnsididering the ddiffifficuulty of rollof rollingg aawayy the stonone from thethe ddooor of thof the sepulchresepulchre, ththerere wwas a feearfulful eaarthquthquakke; and an Angn Angel,l, whosose councountenenancence shonshone lilike ligghttning aand wwhosose gagarmentment wwass whitete as sns snow, w, rolleolled awayaway the ststone andd ssat uppon iit.

The guards that were there became as dead from fear and took to flight. The women, however, went into the sepulchre, but did not find the Lord’s body. Instead, they saw two other Angels in the form of youths clothed in white, who told them that the Saviour was risen, and they sent forth the women, who ran to proclaim to the disciples these gladsome tidings.

ThThenn PPeter and JJohhn arrivedved, havving lelearnedned frfrom Mam Mary MagMagdalalene whne what hhad come me to pass pass, and wwhen theyhey enteredered thee ttombmb, theyhey ffound only tly the w winddingng shsheetss. Therereforore, , theyhey rereturnurnedd agaagainn to thto the cityity witth joy, ajoy, as hheralaldss nnow off tthe supupernnattural Reral Resurrurrectionction of of Christ, Who iin ttrututh wwas seeneen alialive byby the diiscipcipless onn thiss dayy onn fivive occoccasioions.

Our Lord, theOur Lord, then,, wwas crucifies crucified, , died, and was bured, and was buried ed on FrFriday,, bebeforeore thee sesetttingng of thof the sun sun, which wawas the first of His “three dHis “three days”ys” in in the ggravave;; obobservingerving ththe myst mysticall SabbaSabbath,h, thatat “sevent”seventh day” i day” in whichwhich iit is said t is said that that the Lord “rested from all H”rested from all Hiss wworks”ks” (Ge(Gen.. 2:2-3), H2:2-3), He p passssedd all all of SaSaturday day in the grave; and He argrave; and He arose “whie “while iit w was y yet dat dark, vek, very y earlyarly inin the morne morning”ng” on Sunon Sunday,, the thihirdd dday,y, wwhich,ich, accccorddingg to the HeHebrew reckoning, rew reckoning, begegann aafterr susunsset on Son Saturdayturday.

AsAs we celebcelebratate todatoday this jhis joyousyous ResurrecResurrection, wion, we grgreet at andd embrmbrace ce onee anothnotherr in Chin Christ, thist, therebyby demdemonstnstratingating our Sour Saviour’viour’s vi victorytory ovover d deathath and cond corruption, and thruption, and the destruction odestruction of our anc our ancientnt eenmity with Gomity with God, , andnd HHis reconcs reconciliatioliation toward oward us, and ous, and our inhinheritantance ofof liflife evverllassting. Thing. The feasfeast its itselflf is cis called Paslled Pascha, which is dha, which is derivrived from d from thehe HeHebrewrew woword whid which me meanss “p”passovessover”; b”; becausecause ChrisChrist, Wh, Who suffesuffered aed andd arose,ose, has mad made us to pus to passs ovover from thr from the cururse of Adam a of Adam andd slavery slavery to ththe devdevil and deal and death ununto oour pprimal freeimal freedomom and bland blessedneednesss.

InIn addaddition,tion, thithis ddayy ofof tthisis papartticulcularr wweek, whk, whichch iss tthee fiirstst of all thof all the resst, , is dedicdedicateted to to the honouhonour of the Lord; in honoLord; in honourr andnd reremembraembrancece off thee ResuResurrerection,tion, tthe ApoApostlesles transftransferrred d to tho this day thday the restt from lfrom labobourr that waat was foformerly assmerly assignegned too ththe Sa Sabbbathth of the of the ancienncient LawLaw.

March 2026

In March we are fully into the Lenten season as we prepare for Pascha. There are five In March we are fully into the Lenten season as we prepare for Pascha. There are five Sunday DivineDivine LituLiturgy Services, plus we celebragy Services, plus we celebrate te the anne announcement by Archangel Gabriel tuncement by Archangel Gabriel to Virgin Mar Virgin Mary that she has been chosen to give birth to Our Lord Jesus Christ. that she has been chosen to give birth to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is also a service each Friday evening in March for Heretismi and the recital of the full Akathist Hymn on 27th March. The first Heretismi service is actually this Friday 27th February at 19.00.

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Scripture Readings
Friday	27th Feb	19.00	21.00	First Salutations (Heretesmi)	Isaiah 3:1-14, Genesis 2:20-3:20, Proverbs 3:19-34
Sunday	1st	9.30	12.45	Sunday of Orthodoxy	Luke 24:12-35, Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40, John 1:43-51
Friday	6th	19.00	21.00	Second Salutations (Heretesmi)	Isaiah 7:1-14, Genesis 5:32-6:8, Proverbs 6:20-7:1
Sunday	8th	9.30	12.45	Sunday of St Gregory Palamas	Luke 24:36-53, Hebrews 1:10-14;2:1-3, Mark 2:1-12
Friday	13th	19.00	21.00	Third Salutations (Heretesmi)	Isaiah 13:2-13, Genesis 8:4-21, Proverbs 10:31-11:12
Sunday	15th	9.30	12.45	Sunday of the Holy Cross	John 20:1-10, Hebrews 4:14-16;5:1-6, Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
Wednesday	18th	8.00	9.00	Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Friday	20th	8.00	9.00	Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Friday	20th	18.30	19.30	Fourth Salutations (Heretesmi)	Isaiah 29:13-23, Genesis 12:1-7, Proverbs 14:15-26
Sunday	22nd	9.30	12.45	Sunday of St John Climacus	John 20:11-18, Hebrews 6:13-20, Mark 9:17-31
Wednesday	25th	9.30	11.30	Annunciation of the Theotokos	Luke 1:39-49, 56, Hebrews 2:11-18, Luke 1:24-38
Friday	27th	8.00	9.00	Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Friday	27th	18.00	20.30	Akathist Hymn Service (5th Friday of Lent)	Isaiah 45:11-17, Genesis 22:1-18, Proverbs 17:17-18:5
Sunday	29th	9.30	12.45	Sunday of St Mary of Egypt	John 20:19-31, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 10:32-45

SSunday of OOrthodoxxy

FForr mormore thann onone hunundred yeyearsrs ththe ChurChurch of Chof Chrisst wwass ttrououbled b by the persecpersecutiotion of the Ice Iconnoclclasstss of evof evil beliefl belief, beginning in beginning in the reeigngn of LLeo the Isauhe Isauriaan (717-741) and (717-741) and endingnding in tin the reign of Theophiluign of Theophilus (829-842) (829-842).

After TheophilAfter Theophilus’s s’s deeath, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxth, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memanew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon orable Queen venerated the icon of thehe Mother of Mother of God in the pod in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and risence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and rightehteous men, and openly cus men, and openly cried out these holied out these holy words: “If words: “If anyone does not offer renyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring thetive worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema.” though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema.”

Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God’s forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them.

This iss the holyy ddeed that alll we tthe OOrthodoxox commemormemorate tododay, and wand we cacalll this s radadiannt and venevenerabable dday y thehe SuSundayday off OrOrthodoxydoxy, ththatt is,s, the triumiumphh off trurue ddoctrine ovover heresysy.

SSunday of SSt.. Gregorry PPalamass

TThis ddivivine FFather,, whwho wwass fromrom AAsiaa Minor, Minor, was frfrom cchildhoodldhood rrearered inin the royoyal c courtrt of Constantof Constantinopleople, wherere hehe was innstructtructed in boin both relreligiougious andnd ssecuularr wwisdomom. LatLater,, whilele sstilll a ya youuth, hhe llefft thee imperial courmperial court andnd sstrugglruggledd iin ascesceticism cism on MMountunt AAthos,, anand in the Skete Skete at BBeroeoea.. HHe sspentent ssomeme timeime in Tin Thessalossalonicica beiingg treated foror an n illllneesss that camat came frfromm his hhis harsrsh mann manner of lifef life.

He was present in Constantinople at the CoHe was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convenecil that was convened in 1341 in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindgainst Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus,nus, whwho was o was of like mind wilike mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claim Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimedd that the grace that the grace of God is created. At both these Councif God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageousls, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the for the true dogmas of the Chuhurch ch of Chrif Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace it, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God.

InIn 13471347 he wass appppoininted MMetropotropolitanitan of TThessalsalonicnica.. HHe tendedded hiis flflockck in an aposapostoolic mmannenner for some twwelvlve yeaars, aandd wwrote mmanny bbookoks anand treatisises onn the momost exexalltedd ddoctrctrines off our Four Faiith;h; aand hd havving llived fod for a a totaotal ofof ssixxty-thy-three yyears,s, he reposereposed in thhe LLordrd inin 13591359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Sunday of thehe HHolyly Crorosss

WiWithh tthee hehelpp ofof God, wGod, we h havve almostlmost rreachchedd tthe mimiddlle of ththe cooursse off the FFast, whehere ourour ststrengngthh hhas bees been wwornn down thdown through abstough abstinnence,, aandd the futhe full didifficultyficulty of the llabour bour seet befbeforere usus bbecomomes apparenapparent. T. Therefoforee ourur holy MMotheher,, thhe CChurchurch off ChrisChrist,, noow brbringgs too ourur help help the all-hll-holy Croly Crosss, tthee jjoyy off the woworld,, the strengthngth off the ffaithfhful,l, the stafftaff of ththe just,just, and thehe hopope ofof sinnnnerrs,, so so that byby veneratvenerating g it ret reverentently,, wwe mmighght rrececeive stve strengngthh aandd grgrace ce to complo complette the the divivine strue strugglegle of of the Fast.

SSunddayy of SSt.. JJohn Climacuhn Climacus

Stt JJohn Climacun Climacus is celebris celebratedd ttoday because day because hisis book, Tbook, The LaddLadder of Divi of Divine AsAscennt, , is a sure guide ts a sure guide to the ascetic life, writtescetic life, written by a by a grreatat mman of pn of prayer experayer experiencednced in in allll formforms of th of the mo monasasticic politpolity;; iit teteachches s thee seeker seeker afterfter salvasalvatiion hon how to lay a sou to lay a soundd ffoundation undation foror hhis struggs struggless, how how to detect detect and wand war againsagainst eac each of th of the passpassioonss, howw to avoid tto avoid the sne snares laires laid by the deby the demons, and how to risons, and how to rise from om thee rudiudimentalental virvirtues to tues to the hheights of Godights of Godlikike love love andnd huhumility. It is held in such high esteem thility. It is held in such high esteem that it is it is univeniversally rsally readad in its entirety in in its entirety in mononastersteries duris during the Great Fastg the Great Fast.

Annunciation of the TTheotokkos

Six months after John the Forerunner’s conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden.

AccoAccordding tto the trradditiotion h handndedd dowdown by by the FathFatherrs, , shhe ha had beebeen bbetrorothedd tto JosJosepph ffourur monmonths.s. OnOn comimingg tto Joseph’s hooseph’s housse, tthe ArArchangell declaclared:: “Rej“Rejoicce, , thouou FullFull off GGraace,, the Lo Lordd is is with tthee:e: bllessed art thouou ammongg wwommenn.””

AfAfter somome conconsidideration, anration, and turmurmoilil of souof soul,, and fand feaar because because of thisis greeeting,, the VVirrgin,in, whewhen sh she had fifinallyally obtainobtained fud full assurancsurance cconcencernning GGod’sd’s unseunsearchable conderchable condescencensioon and tthe ineffneffablle dispispensatsation ton thatat was was to taktake pplacce throughrough her,, andnd bbelilievving tthatat aalll tthingsgs arre posspossibleble tto the MoMost High High, answeanswered d in humility: “Bn humility: “Beholhold the hhandmadmaidd of the LoLord; be d; be it untoto me accor accordingng too thyy word.”ord.” AnAnd aat t this,is, the Holy Spirit ccamme up upon h her, anr, and tthe powe power ofof the Mosst Hig High ov overshadshadowedwed her all-blameless wall-blameless wombmb, and thee Son Son andnd WoWordd of God, Who exf God, Who existstedd beforfore tthe ages, was coges, was conceiveceived paspast sp speechech and and undersnderstanding,anding, andnd bbecamcame f fleshesh in her immacu immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38)ate body (Luke 1:26-38).

BeBearingring in hein her womb womb the UnUncontatainabblee OOne,e, the blblessssed Vd Virgirgin wentwent wiwith hahaste fromom NNazzarrethth tto the hill chill couuntrytry of JuJudea,ea, whwherre Zacharia Zacharias hadad hihis dwelli dwelling;g; foror sshe desdesired to fed to find ElizElizabeth her kinskinswomanoman andnd rejoiceejoice ttogegetherher with herer, becbecauseuse, asas she had she had learnedearned fromrom the Athe Archanghangell, ElizabeElizabeth hahad conceconceivedved in n herer old ageld age.

FFurthermore, she wisherthermore, she wished to tell her of the gre to tell her of the great things that the Mightt things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased tOne had been well-pleased to bring bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to hero pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard When Elizabeth heard Mary’s’s greeting, she felt her six-mgreeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied onth-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawninthe dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediatel of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy S, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spiriirit and recognised her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. and recognised her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself.

The ViVirggin alalso,o, movmoved byby aa supsupernatunaturaal rejjoicinging iin the sppiritt, glorglorifiedfied herr GGod ad and SaviSavior,, saying:ing: “My“My soulul dodoth magnmagnifyy thee LoLord,, andnd mymy sppiriit haath rejejoicced in GoGod mmy SSaviouviour,”,” and the restt, as ththe divivine LukLuke hath rreccorded (1:39-55) (1:39-55).

Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, “Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.”

SSundnday of St. May of St. Mary of Egyptof Egypt

ThThe memo memory ofof thiis S Saint is celebint is celebraateded on April 1, where her lin April 1, where her lifee is is recorded. Since corded. Since thehe endd ofof thhe hholyly Forty DForty Dayys is drawis drawing nigh, it hnigh, it has bees been appappoiinted for d for thhiss dday aly also,o, so that if so that if we think it hard to think it hard to practicactice a littl little abstinence abstinence fortyty days,days, wewe might be romight be rousesed b by ththe he herooismm of hof herr wwho fasted i fasted in ththe wi wilderness fderness forty-sevenrty-seven yeyears; ars; and alsoso ththat tht the great lovi great loving-king-kindness of God, ness of God, and His nd His readinesseadiness to receto receiveve ththe rerepentant, mentant, migght bt be demdemonstrated in very deedstrated in very deed.

FFebruruary 2026y 2026

February sees the start of Great Lent, a time of fasting and contemplation as we prepare for Tο Πάσχα. Sunday services are shown below and a full calendar will be published soon.

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Scripture Readings
Sunday	1st	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today	Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 8:28-39, Luke 18:10-14
Monday	2nd	9.30	11.45	Service of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple	Luke 2.25-32, Hebrews 7.7-17, Luke 2.22-40
Sunday	8th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Sunday of the Prodigal Son	Mark 16:1-8, I Corinthians 6:12-20, Luke 15:11-32
Tuesday	10th	9.30	11.30	Service of Haralambos the Holy Martyr	Luke 21:12-19, II Timothy 2:1-10, John 15:17-27; 16:1-2
Friday	13th	18.00	19.00	Vespers of Psychosavvato (Meatfare Friday)	II John 1:1-13, Mark 15:20,22,25,33-41
Saturday	14th	9.30	11.00	Saturday of Souls	I Thessalonians 4:13-17, Luke 21:8-9,25-27,33-36
Sunday	15th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Judgement Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)	Mark 16:9-20, I Corinthians 8:8-13;9:1-2, Matthew 25:31-46
Sunday	22nd	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Forgiveness Sunday	Luke 24:1-12, Romans 13:11-14;14:1-4, Matthew 6:14-21
Friday	27th	18.30	19.45	Salutations to Mother of God (1st Friday of Lent)	Isaiah 3:1-14, Genesis 2:20-3:20, Proverbs 3:19-34

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

The Pharisees were an ancient and oThe Pharisees were an ancient and outstatstanding sect ing sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, themong the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they “did all their w”did all their works to be seen orks to be seen of men” (Mamen” (Matt. 23:5), and were t. 23:5), and were hypocritypocritess (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Phaharisee means. On the isee means. On the other hanther hand, Publ, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre’s sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore accordincans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre’s sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion th to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parabt the Lord Jesus in His parablee signified a virtusignified a virtuous persous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness. by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

AAll foods are allllowwed the week that folllowss this SSunday.

SSunday of the PProdigal SSon

Through the parable of today’s Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God’s compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition — inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries — we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

FurtFurthermrmore,, those hose whho hhavve wroughtwrought mmanny gregreat iniquiiniquitiies,s, andd have perrsisisted in in them fhem forr aa llongng tiime,, ofteftentimtimes ffalll iintoo ddesppair, thhinkinking that that theree can nan no lo longer be any ger be any forgorgivvenessss forfor them;em; and snd so bei being without hopg without hope, ththeyy ffall ever every day into the day into the same ame and eveven wworrse e iniquiiquities. Ties. Therefore,refore, thhe ddiviinee FaFathers,rs, thathat they might they might rootoot out the ppassssion ofof despspair from ir from thee hearthearts of s of such pch peopople,e, andnd rouse rouse them toto the deeddeeds of of virturtue,, hhave seve set t the p preesentent pparablrable at thee forecourtforecourts oof th the F Fast,, tto show th show them the su the surppassssing goodnegoodness ofof GGod’s’s ccompasspassioon, and and to teateach thehem that therethere is no sisin —- no matterr hhoww ggreat eat it may bmay be — t– thatat can ovcan overrcome aat anyy timeime HHis lovlove for man for man.

MMeatfare Sunday

The fThe foreegooing two parables — especially that of the Prodigal Son — hang two parables — especially that of the Prodigal Son — have prese presentted to ud to us God’ God’s extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day’s feast commemorating Christ’s impartial extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day’s feast commemorating Christ’s impartial Second Coming, throecond Coming, through which we brigh which we bring to ming to mind th that God is not onlt God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds. the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight — which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now — it is clear that today’s is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

AAlll ffoods,, excceptpt meat aand meeat prooducts, aree alllloweed duringg the week week thhatt followsollows thiss SuSundayay.

Forgiveness SSunday

The Holy FThe Holy Fathers have appoithers have appointed the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to ted the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by s not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is foctual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiet man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. and the transgressing of the divine commandments.

For For thhe firfirst cocommandment that Gmandment that God gave to mad gave to man was was that of faat of fasting,ting, wwhich the firch the first-f-fashionedhioned rereceivived d buut d did d notot keep; keep; and not onld not only did thdid theyy notnot bebecome g gods, ds, ass theyy had had imagagineed,, buut they lthey lostst even that bleven that blesseded life wlife which ch theyhey hhad, ad, andd they fell into coy fell into corruptionruption and dand death, and tath, and transmansmitttted thed thesee and innand innumerabmerable o other evher evils to ato all l of mankindf mankind.

The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today’s Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

JJanuaaryy 20262026

AAfter llasst mmonthnths” Christmmas celebelebratationons,, JaJanuuaryy ssees usus cocommmemormorate thehe circumcision andnd bbaptptismsm of JeJesusus Chrhrisst amongsamongst other servirvices.. FullFull ddetaaills belbelow.w.

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Holy Communion?	Saints Days Celebrated	Scripture Readings
Thursday	1st	9.00	11.30	Service commemorating the circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ and the service of St Basil the Great	Yes	St Basil the Great	John 10:1-9, Colossians 2:8-12, Luke 2:20-21, 40-52
Sunday	4th	9.30	12.30	Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles and the service of St Nikodemos the Hagiorite	Yes	St Nikodemos the Hagiorite	John 20:11-18, II Timothy 4:5-8, Mark 1:1-8
Monday	5th	9.00	13.00	Eve of the Theophany (forefeast of the Baptism of Christ) and the service of St Syncieta of Alexandra	Yes	St Syncieta of Alexandra	I Corinthians 9:19-27, Luke 3:1-18
Tuesday	6th	9.30	13.00	Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ	Yes		Mark 1:9-11, Titus 2:11-14;3:4-7, Matthew 3:13-17
Wednesday	7th	9.30	12.30	Synaxis of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist	Yes	Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist	Acts 19:1-8, John 1:29-34
Sunday	11th	9.30	12.30	Afterfeast of Theophany and the service of St Theodosios the Cenobiarch	Yes	St Theodosios the Cenobiarch	John 20:19-31, Hebrews 13:7-16, Matthew 4:12-17
Saturday	17th	9.00	11.30	Service of St Anthony the Great	Yes	St Anthony the Great	Matthew 11:27-30, Hebrews 13:17-21, Luke 6:17-23
Sunday	18th	9.30	12.30	12th Sunday of St Luke	Yes	St Athanasius	John 21:1-14, Hebrews 13:7-16, Luke 17:12-19
Tuesday	20th	9.00	11.30	Service of St Efthymios the Great	Yes	St Efthymios the Great	II Corinthians 4:6-15, Luke 6:17-23
Sunday	25th	9.30	12.30	15th Sunday of St Luke	Yes		John 21:14-25, Hebrews 7:26-28;8:1-2, Luke 19:1-10
Friday	30th	9.30	11.45	Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom	Yes	Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom	John 10:9-16 Hebrews 13:7-16 Matthew 5:14-19

The Circumcision of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

On tOn the eighth dighth day after Hiy after His Na Nativity,ivity, ourur Lord Jesus ChrisLord Jesus Christ wwas c circumcisedrcumcised in accordance wiin accordance with th the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God’s Covenant with the holy Food’s Covenant with the holy Foreffather Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3).her Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3).

AfAfterer thithis r rituatual,, the DivinDivine Inf Infannt was ggiveven the namme J Jesus,sus, ass thehe ArchArchangelngel GGabrbrieel decla declared d on th the dayay off the AAnnunciunciatiotion tto th the Mo Mostt Holyoly ThTheootokookos&&nbbsp;(Lukong>(Luke 1:31-33,1:31-33, 2:21).g>. ThThe FatherFathers of f the Chu Churchch expxplaain thn thatt ththe L Lord, d, thhe CreCreatortor ofof tthee LLaw, uw, underwentwent ciircumccumcisiosion iin oordderr to givgive pepeoplple an an examplexample of hoof how fa faithfufullyy the divinvine oorddinancesnces ougoughtt to bto be fu fulfillefilled. Th. The Lo Lordd wawas c circumcircumcised so ed so that lathat later no one wono one wouldd doubtdoubt that Hthat He hadhad trultruly a assumedumed hhummann fleshflesh, and and thathat HisHis IncIncarnarnationon wwas s not meot merelely an illillusion, as sion, as ceerttain herein hereticcs had taught.had taught.

TThe FFeast of SSt BBasil the GGreat

Saint Basil the Great was born in the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents’ names were Basil and Emmelia. His mother Emmelia (commemorated July 19 and May 30) and his grandmother Macrina (January 14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (January 10), Peter of Sebastia (January 9), and Naucratius.

BasilBasil studistudiedd in Constin Constantinopntinople uunderer ththe sophisophist Libani Libanius, thenn inin AAthenns, where alsalso hhe forformeed a ffrienndshipship with the young Ge young Gregory, gory, a fellowlow CCappappadocian,cian, lalaterr callcalled “”the TheologTheologiaan.”.” ThrThroughugh the ggood id influluence of hince of his sister Macrister Macrinaa, hhe chohose toto embrembracece the asceceticalcal lilife,e, abanabandonningg his worhis worlddlyy career. H. He vvisisiteded tthe monk monks in Eg in Egypt,pt, in Palin Palestistine,e, in Syin Syria, a, and d in Men Mesopotaopotamiia,, andnd uponupon reretuurnining too CaCaesararea,, he ddepparrteded too a hermhermitage otage on tthe Ire Iris RRiver ver in Po Pontutus,, nonot far fr far fromm AnnesAnnesi, wh, wherere his moth motherr andand his sishis sisterer Macrina wMacrina werre al alreadeady ttreadeading the ppathth of the ascesceticalical life; life; herere he alsalso wrotwrote hishis ascesceticalical hhomimilieses.

AbAboutt ththe yyear 370,370, wwhen thee bishbishopp off hiis ccouuntryry reepoosed,, he wwass ellectctedd to succsucceedd tto his thrhrone and was entntruustted wwithh thehe ChuChurchch off CChrist,, wwhichch hhe tennded fforr eighght yeaars,s, liviiving in vvoluluntaryy povovertyty annd strstrictct ascesceticcismm, hhavivingg noo oothher ccare tthaan to ddefefend holyoly OrOrthhododoxyy as aa worrthyhy susuccesssorr off the ApApostlles.

The EmpEmperor Vror Valenlens, and Modes, and Modestus,us, the Eparch the Eparch of the East,East, wwho wo were re of one mind witf one mind with the Ari the Arians,s, trtried wited with thre threats of exile ats of exile andd of ttormentsments tto ben bend the Saint tthe Saint to their own confession, bectheir own confession, because he was the bastiouse he was the bastion of Ortho of Orthodoxyoxy in in all Cappadocia, and preserll Cappadocia, and preserved ed it frt from hem heresyesy whwhen Arianin Arianism was at its strongest. Bm was at its strongest. But he t he setet all tall theieir mal malice at nought, and in hice at nought, and in his willingness willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. o give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition.

ModModestus,us, amazedamazed aat BasiBasil’s’s ffearlessrlessnessess in his n his presence, said tresence, said thatt nno one had evene had ever sso spspokenken to him. “Perhto him. “Perhaps,” aps,” answereswered the the Saint,nt, “yo”you have neveave never me met a ba bishophop bbeforfore.” The Empe.” The Emperor Vor Vallensns himshimself wlf wass almostlmost wwon over by Bover by Basil’s digsil’s dignitity and wisdomand wisdom. WWhenn VValenlens” sson fn fell gll gravvely ly sick,ick, he asked Sasked Saint Bant Basilil tto pray pray foror him.m. TThe SaSaintt ppromisomised thd that h his ss son wwoulduld bbe restrestored ed if Valef Valenss agreedagreed to o havave him bhim baptizedzed byby tthe Oe Orthodox;hodox; VValensens agagreed,d, Basil pBasil prayed and the ayed and the son wa was restrestored. But ared. But afterwardsterwards the EmperEmperor had h had him bm bapptizizedd by Ariaby Arianss, and the chithe childd ddied soon afed soon after.. LLatter,r, VValelens, ps, perrsuadeduaded by by his cois counnselorselors, ddecidcidedd tto send send the SSainint intonto exexile becle because he would use he would notot accaccept the Aript the Arians s intoto cocommumunion;; butbut his pis pen brn broke wke wheen hhe w was sigs signing the edhe edictct of banishmentbanishment.

HHe trtried a second time and a third, ed a second time and a third, but the same thut the same thing hng happened,ppened, so o that the Emperhat the Emperor was was filledilled wiwith dr dread,ad, and tore und tore up the document, and Bashe document, and Basil wal was nnott banisbanished. The ted. The truly great Basuly great Basil, l, spenpent wwithth extextreme asme ascetical petical practicactices ans and contcontinuual lablabours,s, atat the hhelmm of of the churchchurch, depdepartedted toto the the Lord on thord on the 1stst of Jof Januaryuary iin 379, at the age of forty79, at the age of forty-ninenine.

TThe FeFeast of the HHolyly TTheophhanyy (E(Epipphany)y) off our L Lorrd GGodd and SSavviouur JJessuss CChrisst

The FFeaastt of of thhe Ho Holyy TheophanyTheophany (Epip(Epiphany)ny) of our Lord God and Savior of our Lord God and Savior Jesus ChChristist is ces celebratbratedd eacheach year year on JJanuarynuary 6. T6. The Feast cFeast commemommemorateses ththe BBaptismsm ofof CChrrisst aand thehe divinevine revelrevelattioon of of the HHolyy TrTrinnityty. At thAt the BBaptptismsm off CChristrist, allall thrhreee PerPersonss oof the H the Holyly TrTrininity—Father,y—Father, Son,Son, and Hand Holy Sly Spirit—wirit—weree made manimade manifest.est. ThThus,, the the nameame of of thee FeFeasst iss EpiphEpiphany,ny, meanmeaninng ma manififestation,tation, oror TheTheopphaany,y, mmeaaninging mmanifestifestationon of Godof God.

TThe BibliBiblicall stostory y off the BBapptiismm off CChrisst iis recorded in alll ffourur ofof tthe GoGospels:ls: MMattttheww 3,3, MMarkrk 1:1-91:1-9, LukLuke 3:21-223:21-22, annd JJohnn 1:31-341:31-34.

JoJohn n thehe BBaptist,t, the ccouusiin oof J Jesus us and the onne chohosenn byy GGodd tto procroclaaimm His coHis coming,g, was prereachichingg in the wiilderneernesss and wwass bbapptizizingg allall wwhoo wwouuldd respoespondd to o hisis mmessagge ccallllingng ffor repenrepentancance.. As As he wawas ddoinng this,, Johhn was diwas directtingng the ppeopleple towtowarrd the oone whwho wwoulduld bbaptizptize ththem wiwith the HolyHoly SpiSpiritt (Ma(Matttheww 3:11)3:11).

The ScripScripturures ts tellll usus ththat Jt Jesus cus cameme ffromom GalilGalilee to Joh John att ththe Jo Jordaan to bo be bapbaptizizedd byy himim. Iniitially,ially, JoJohn wwoulduld nonot do do this,his, sayaying thatt JJesussus sshoulould bapbaptizize himhim. JesJesus ssaidd tto JJohhn,, “Let“Let iit bbe soo nnow; w; foror it i is propproper fofor u us iin this wway too fulffulfill all rll righteghteoususnessess (3:15). J(3:15). Johnhn consenconsentedd anand bapaptizizedd JeJesusus.

When Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened suddenly, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Bible records that the Spirit descended like a dove and alighted on him. When this happened, a voice came from heaven and said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This was the voice of God the Father.

Christ’s baptism in the Jordan was “theophanChrist’s baptism in the Jordan was “theophany,” a ma,” a manifestifestattion of God to the world, becauon of God to the world, becausee it was the beginning it was the beginning of our Lord’s public minisour Lord’s public ministry. It was also a “try. It was also a “theophany”ophany” in that the world was granted a revelation of the in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. ATrinity. All three Persl three Persons wens were made mane made manifest tfest together: the Father tegether: the Father testifiedtified ffrom on m on high to thigh to the divine Sonship of Jesus; divine Sonship of Jesus; thehe SSon n received His Fatheceived His Father’s testimo’s testimony; ay; and thd the Spi Spiritit wwas sees seen in the form of a in the form of a dove,ove, descending from the Fdescending from the Father and reher and restinging upupon tn the Soe Son..

TheThe thememe of “manifesof “manifestatiation”n” oor “revela“revelation”ion” is alalso exp expressedessed iin ScripScripturure with thhe symboliymbolismm of liglight.t. IIn the hymnymn of thhe FeaFeast wt we sing, “Chrig, “Christt hasas appepearred anand ennlighteghteneded the woworlld.”” ThusThus, JaJanuuarry 6 is a6 is alsso kno known as as the FeFeastst of Lighof Lights. Ts. The Church celebcelebraatess on thhiss daay the illuminilluminationon of thee worlorld byby the liglightt of CChristist.

SSynaxxis off the Holy GlGloriiouus PPropphet,, FoForerunner andd BBapptiist JJohnn

In tIn the Oe Orththodox Chdox Churcrch iit is customis customary,y, on thn the dayay followillowingg the GreatGreat FeFeaststs oof th the Lor Lord and and thee MoMotherr off God, to God, to remember emember thosehose ssaintss wwhoo paarticiticipatted ddirrectctlyy in the sacredacred event. Sevent. So,, on on the dayay followllowinng th the Epiph Epiphanyny ththe Chu Church honours thh honours the oneone whowho papartticipaipateded directdirectly y in thn the BaptismBaptism oof Chri Christ, pllacingcing his own hhis own hand uuponn the hheadad of ththe Savi Saviourur.

SainSaint John, John, the holy Forholy Forerunnerrunner and Baptist and Baptist of the Loe Lordd, wwhom thom the Lord Lord calllledd thee ggreatest of ttest of thee pproophhets, cos, concludludess ththe histohistoryy off the Old TestOld Testamementt and and openspens the eera off ththe N Neww TesTestamament.nt. ThThe h holy PropProphetet John boJohn bore w wittnessess to thehe Only-BegoOnly-Begotttenn Sonn of GGod,, iincaarnatenate iin the f the flesh.esh. Saint John wawas accountccounted woworthyhy tto bbaptizptize HiHim in the wawaterss of the JJorddann, andd he waswas a wititnessess of the TheophTheophanny of ththe Most HoMost Holy Try Trinityy on on the dayday of the Saviavior’’s BaptBaptismm.

TheThe holy Proholy Prophhett John, John, the soon of thethe PrPriesest ZacZachariahariah aand R Rightghteousous ElizElizabeth,beth, wwas rrellated toto the LLord on His mHis mothther’’s side. The hside. The holyly ForeruForerunnner, J, John,hn, wwass born six monborn six monthss befobefore CChrrist.t. TThe A Archangelchangel GGabriebriel ann announcuncedd hishis bbirrth i in the TemTemple ale at Jeru Jerusalemalem, rrevvealingaling too ZZachachariahiah thatthat aa sonson waswas toto bebe bborrn toto himhim.

Through the prayers offered beforehand, the child was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saint John prepared himself in the wilds of the desert for his great service by a strict life, by fasting, prayer and sympathy for the fate of God’s people.

At the At the agege of tthirty, hirty, he came fortcame forth p preaching raching repentance.pentance. He appeappeared on ted on thee bbanknks of of the JoJordan, to prdan, to preppare re thehe people by his ppeople by his preachinaching t to accepaccept t the Saviour of tSaviour of the w worrld. In church hymnd. In church hymnolology, Say, Saint John is cnt John is called a “bright morlled a “bright morning staring star,”” whose glewhose gleaminging outsutshoonee tthe be brilliance illiance of all the other f all the other stars, annars, announcing the councing the coming dawn of the day of grace, illumined with the light of the spiritual Sun, our Lord Jesus Christ.ing dawn of the day of grace, illumined with the light of the spiritual Sun, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Havivingg bbapptiseded the ssinleless Las Lambb of GGod,, SSaintnt JJohnn soon doon died d a mmarrtyr’yr’s deadeath,, behebeheadedd by the sword onn orddersrs off KKingg HHerrod atat the reqquestt of hiis daudaughter SSalomme.. (O(On SSaiint J Johhn the BBapptist, see M Mt.3:1-16,.3:1-16, 11:1-19,11:1-19, 14:1-12;14:1-12; MMarkrk 1:2-8,1:2-8, 6:14-29;6:14-29; LLukke 1:5-25,1:5-25, 39-80,39-80, 3:1-20,3:1-20, 7:18-35,7:18-35, 9:7-9;9:7-9; JJohhn 1:19-34,1:19-34, 3:22-26)3:22-26).

Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom

ThThe three Hierar three Hierarchs—an hs—an earthly trinity as they are called in soarthly trinity as they are called in some of the wonderful troparia of their service—have taught us in their writings and equally e of the wonderful troparia of their service—have taught us in their writings and equally by thy theiir lives, to worship and to glorify the Holy Trinity, the One God in three Persons. These three luminaries of the Church have shed the light of the true Faith all over the world, scorning dangers and persecutions, and they have left us, their descendants, this sacred inheritance by which we too can attain to utmost blessedness and everlasting life in the presence of God and of all the Saints.lives, to worship and to glorify the Holy Trinity, the One God in three Persons. These three luminaries of the Church have shed the light of the true Faith all over the world, scorning dangers and persecutions, and they have left us, their descendants, this sacred inheritance by which we too can attain to utmost blessedness and everlasting life in the presence of God and of all the Saints.

With thWith the f feast of thast of the th threeee HHierarcherarchs at the end at the end of JanJanuaary—thy—the monthmonth in which win which we keep the memo keep the memory of of so many glorious bishoo many glorious bishops, confs, confessors and asssors and ascetetics—the Church in cs—the Church in a way recapitu way recapitulatesates the the mememory of all ry of all thee SSaintints who havho have witnwitnessssed to the Od to the Orthodox fthodox faiithh by by theirir writings writings and by nd by theheir lir lives. In thes. In this feass feast we honor the whole ministr we honor the whole ministry of tteachingaching of the holy of the holy Chuurch, namely, the ch, namely, the illuminalluminationion of the hearts and minds of the faithff the hearts and minds of the faithful thl throughough the commemorthe commemorattion of all the Fathers of the Chn of all the Fathers of the Church,ch, thosthose models of evangelic perfection models of evangelic perfection whhicch the Hthe Holy Spirit has raised ly Spirit has raised upp from from age to age and from pge to age and from place to pace to placeace to be new Prophets to be new Prophets andnd new Anew Apostlostles, guides of souls hes, guides of souls heavenward, venward, comfortomforters ors of the peop the peoplee and fiery pifiery pillars of praylars of prayer, r, supporting thupporting the Church an Church and cconfirming her in firming her in the truthe truth.

December 2025

December is of course a very special month as we celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. We wish you all a peaceful and blessed month.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα/H-color”>Καλά Χριστούγεννα/Happyppy ChristmChristmasong>

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Holy Communion?	Saints Days Celebrated	Scripture Readings
Thursday	4th	9.30	11.30	Service of Great Martyr St Barbara	Yes	St Barbara	Matthew 25:1-13, Galatians 3:23-29;4:1-5, Mark 5:24-34
Saturday	6th	9.30	11.30	Service of St Nicholas & St Savvas	Yes	St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, St Savvas	John 10:1-9, Hebrews 13:17-21, Luke 6:17-23
Sunday	7th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – 10th Sunday of Luke	Yes		Luke 24:1-12, Ephesians 5:8-19, Luke 13:10-17
Tuesday	9th	9.30	11.30	Conception of the Virgin Mary	Yes
Friday	12th	9.30	11.30	Service of St Spyridon	Yes	St Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous	John 10:1-9 , Ephesians 5:8-19, John 10:9-16
Sunday	14th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – 11th Sunday of Luke	Yes		Luke 24:12-35, Colossians 3:4-11, Luke 14:16-24
Monday	15th	9.30	11.30	Service of St Eleutheris	Yes	St Eleutheris
Sunday	21st	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Sunday before Nativity	Yes		Luke 24:36-53, Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40, Matthew 1:1-25
Wednesday	24th	8.30	11.30	Orthos, Great Hours followed by Vespers and St Basil’s Liturgy	Yes	St Basil	Hebrews 1:1-12, Luke 2:1-20
Thursday	25th	9.30	12.30	Christmas Service – The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ	Yes		Matthew 1:18-25, Galatians 4:4-7, Matthew 2:1-12
Friday	26th	11.00	12.00	Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos	Yes		Hebrews 2:11-18, Matthew 2:13-23
Sunday	28th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Sunday after Nativity	Yes		John 20:1-10, Galatians 1:11-19, Matthew 2:13-23

St Barbara the GGreat MMartyr

Saint Barbara was ffromom HHeliopolisiopolis of PPhoeniciaa andd liived dururing ththe reignign off MaximianMaximian.

SShe wawas the daugaughter off a ccerttaiin iidoolater nammed Dioscorus.. WhWhenn Barbara cacame of e of agge, she wshe was es enlightenelightened in hin her ppurre heaart andd seccretlytly belilievved in n thee HHolyly TrTriniity.

AbouAbout ththis time Dioss time Dioscorus began buirus began building ding a babath-hous-house;; befbefore it was fire it was finisheished h he was was required to go aequired to go away tay to attend to ce attend to certain matttain matterss, and in his absence Baand in his absence Barbara direbara directed tted the workmen to e workmen to buuild a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She alld a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed to inscribed the sign e sign of the Cross with her finger uf the Cross with her finger uponon the marble the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeplthe bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the ma into the marble ble as if it had been done with an iron tool. s if it had been done with an iron tool.

When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.

WWhen Den Diooscoruscorus rereturnurned,, he askehe asked why the thi why the third wd windowdow had bad beenen added; Baadded; Barbara bbara begaan tto decldeclare to hre to him m thehe mymystery of ery of the Trhe Trinity. Bity. Becausecause sshe refused to renounce her ffused to renounce her faiith,h, Dioscorus tortured BDioscorus tortured Barbara irbara inhumanely, anhumanely, and afteafter subj subjecting her tcting her to many many suffufferings he behearings he beheadeded her wher with his owth his own hands in the year 29hands in the year 290.

SSt NicNicholass the WWonderworker, AArcchbishopp of MyMyra

TThis SSaint lived duringg tthe reiggn of SaSaint CConstantine tthe GreGreat andd reppossed inn 330.330.

As a young man As a young man he dedesired to ered to espoupouse the solite the solitary ry life.ife. He e madeade a pilga pilgrimageimage to tto the he holy ccity Jty Jeruusalemalem, wwhere e hee fououndd a pplacace to wito withdrawdraw to devodevotee himsehimself tf to prayerprayer. It It was madmade knknowwn tto hhim,m, howwever,ver, that thisthis wwass nonot th the wi will of God God foor hhim,m, bbut tht thatt he shhould ruld returnturn tto hiis hhomelmeland to b be a cau causee of ssalvavation for on for manyany.

He reHe returnedurned to Mto Myra, and was ordaa, and was ordainened bish bishop. He became kp. He became knownown for his abundanfor his abundant mercy, providing for t mercy, providing for the ppoor aor and n needy, and deliveedy, and delivering those ing those whho had been unjustly accused. No less was he had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his znown for his zeal foal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Cthe truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council ouncil of the 318 Fathethe 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphes at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies es that Ariat Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face.

Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety.

The Dismissal HThe Dismissal Hymn fomn for h holyly hiierrarchs,chs, TThe t truthuth of thingsings haath revevealled th theee tto thy thy flocklock … was written … was written originally iginally foror SSaiintt Nicholas. He is Nicholas. He is the ppatronron of all travravellellerss, annd of sea-faof sea-farerers in pin particular;rticular; he e is one of tone of the best kne best known and bwn and best st loved Soved Saiintsts of all time.of all time.

SSt SSpyyriidon tthe WWonderworkker of Trymimithous

SpyrSpyridon,n, the God-bGod-beariaring Fag Father of the ChChurch,ch, the ggreeat ddeffennderr of Coof Corfufu andd thehe bboaast of af alll the OOrthothodoxox, haad CCypruus as as hiis hom homelandand.

HHe wwass simmple in mmannnner andd huhumblble off heeart, andand wwas a shea shephherdrd of ssheep.p. WWhen hhe was jjoined t to a wifwife, hhe bbegagat off herr a ddaughghterer whwhomm theyy nanamed IIreneene. AftAfter hr hiss wiife’se’s ddepparturrture frofrom thithis lilife,e, he whe was appoppointedted BBishophop ofof TTrimythmythous,us, aandd thus hhus he bbecamame alalso aa shhepherdpherd of rational sheepational sheep.

WWhenn the FFirst EcumenEcumeniccall CCounciuncil was assas assemblmbledd in Ni Nicaaea, he al, he alsoo wasas prpressent,nt, and bnd by mmeanns of hi of his mmost simplst simple wo wordsds sstoppedpped thethe mmouthss ofof tthe AArianss wwho were wwisse i in theirir ownwn cconceit.nceit. ByBy the ddivvinee ggracece wwhichch dweltwelt in him,him, he wwrouought suchuch greatgreat wowondders s thhat he receeivedved thhe surnamname ‘W’Wondnderworkworker.”r.” SSo it iit is th that, hhavivingg tenddedd hihis fllockck ppiooussly and in in a mannmanner ple pleasing sing too GGod, h, he repeposedd in in the LLordd aboubout the yyearar 3350,, lleavingving to o his countris country his sis sacrcredd rellicscs as a as a consolansolationion and sourcsource of h of healialingg for for the faaithfuul.

AboAbout the middt the middlee of the sevef the seventh centuth century, becay, becausee of the of the incurncursiions mans madee by the barbarby the barbariaanss at that tat that time, hime, his ssacred relcred relics were takecs were taken to Cono Constantinople,tantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperorwhere they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves themselves.

But befBut beforre the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest na the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint’s sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling ed George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint’s sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Sy way of Serbia,bia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu.

FrFrom th there,e, whwhilele thethe misfortmisfortunenes of f thee Christian people Christian people were ere increasing wincreasing with eeveryry day, he paday, he passsed od over to Corfu about the year 1460. The reler to Corfu about the year 1460. The relics of Saif Saintt TheoTheodorora were given twere given to the people of Co people of Corfu;fu; bubut t those of Sose of Saiintt Spyridopyridon remain to this remain to this day, according to the right, according to the rights of inheritance of inheritance, the most the most preciorecious treasure otreasure of the pr the priest’sst’s owown descendescendants, and thents, and they contcontinuue to be a staff for the fato be a staff for the faithfhful in Ol in Orthodoxthodoxy,, and a and a supupernatural wonder for those that behold him; for enatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remaen after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained inned incorrupt and orrupt and even the flexibility of hiven the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved flesh has been preserved.

Truly wondrous is God in His Saints! (Ps. 67:3 5)

November 2025November 2025

NovNovembermber is a busy mis a busy monnth with fiv with five se servicesvices onn daysays oothher thanan Sundays, Sundays, plus fivus five Sunday Divine Liturgy services. Sunday Divine Liturgy services.

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Holy Communion?	Saints Days Celebrated	Scripture Readings
Saturday	1st	10.00	11.00	Service of Kosma & Damian	No	Kosmas & Damianos – the Holy Unmercenaries	I Corinthians 12:27-31;13:1-8, Matthew 10.1, 5-8
Sunday	2nd	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – 5th Sunday of Luke	Yes		John 21:1-14, Galatians 2:16-20, Luke 16:19-31
Saturday	8th	10.00	11.00	Synaxis of the Archangels Michael & Gabriel	No	St Michael & St Gabriel	Matthew 18:10-20 , St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 2:2-10 Luke 10:16-21
Sunday	9th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – 7th Sunday of Luke	Yes	St Nectarios of Aegina	John 21:14-25, Galatians 6:11-18, Luke 8:41-56
Thursday	13th	10.00	11.00	Service of John Chrysostom	No	St John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople	John 10:1-9, Hebrews 7:26-28, 8:1-2, John 10:9-16
Sunday	16th	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist	Yes	St Matthew	Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 10:11-21, 11:1-2, Matthew 9:9-13
Friday	21st	09.30	11.45	Celebration of the Mother of God entering the temple	No	St Mary	Luke 1:39-49, 56, Hebrews 9:1-7, Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Sunday	23rd	9.30	12.45	Divine Liturgy – 9th Sunday of Luke	Yes	St Amphilochius	Mark 16:1-8, Ephesians 2:14-22, Luke 12:16-21
Tuesday	25th	10.00	11.00	Service of Katherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria	No	St Katherine	Matthew 25:1-13, Galatians 3:23-29, 4:1-5, Mark 5:24-34
Sunday	30th	9.30	12.45	St Andrew, the First Called Apostle	Yes	St Andrew	Mark 16:9-20, I Corinthians 4:9-16, John 1:35-51

The MThe Motherher of God eGod enteerss the Templemple

AccAccordirding g to the tro the tradition of the Church, the Theotodition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days untos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fl she was fourteeurteen or r fifteenifteen years old; ayears old; and d then, as a matuhen, as a mature maiden, be maiden, by the cthe common counsel ommon counsel of the priests (since priests (since her parents had repr parents had reposed some sed some three years befhree years before), she was betrre), she was betrothed to Jothed to Joseph.eph.

ApApollytikkion of EEntryy of the TTheotokkos

TodaToday is the prelude of God’s pleasure a is the prelude of God’s pleasure and d the proclhe proclamatmationon of man’s salvation. The Viman’s salvation. The Virgin is gin is clearly made manifest in tlearly made manifest in the temple of God e temple of God and ford foretetellls CChrist to rist to all. Lll. Let us at us alsoso cry out to her with mighty voice, “Hcry out to her with mighty voice, “Hail, fulfillil, fulfillmentent of the Creof the Creatotor’s d’s dispspensation.”nsation.”

Kontakion of Entry of the Theotokos

Today,Today, the most purmost pure temp templee off the Savihe Savior,r, the precireciouus bridbridal chchambber a andd VVirgginn, thee sacacreded trreasursure of God,, enntersers the hhouuse of ththe Lo Lord,d, bribringgingg ththe gracrace off thee DDivvinene SSpiirit. TThe Angels off GGodd ppraisee her.r. ShShe is thhe hheavenlyvenly taberbernacclee.

SySyntaxxis of AArchangels MMichaell &∓ GGabribriell

All tAll the AAnggels,s, accordiccordingg tto thethe ApostApostle PPaul,ul, are miinisteriing sppirits, — senent forforth to minister tto thhemm wwho shhallll bbe heirs eirs of f salvlvatiion – (HebHeb. 11:144). GGodd seset t them as oves oversseersers of eof everyry naatiionn aandd pepeople, anple, and guid guides to that to that which isis profitprofitabble (Deut. 32:8); an (Deut. 32:8); and wwhile ile one AngAngel l iss apppointed tted to ovverseeee eaceach na nation aon as a whole a whole, oone e is s also apposo appoinntedd to pto proteotect t eachach ChristiChristian iindividuadividuallyly.

He commands them to guard them that hoHe commands them to guard them that hope e on Him, n Him, that nothhat nothing shng should harm them, uld harm them, neithereither shshoulduld aany evil dry evil draw nw nigh to their dwelling (Pgh to their dwelling (Ps.. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always beh90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the ld the faceace of God, sending up of God, sending up to Him to Him the ththriice-e-holy hymn oly hymn and intercedind interceding with Him in our b with Him in our behahalf, f, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). eeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7).

InIn a wor word, th, they have sey have served God in ved God in soo many ways fmany ways for our bener our benefit,it, thatat ththe p paggess of of Holy Scriply Scriptureure arare filled wifilled with th the histhistories ies thereof.ereof. It is for thIt is for these reasreasonsns that the Oe Orththodox Catholic Chdox Catholic Churcrch,, wiselwisely h hononouringing ththese divise divine m ministnisterrs,, ourr pprootectorectors and and guardiaans,s, celebratecelebrates todaytoday the prepresennt SynaxisSynaxis thatat is,, our coming togcoming together iin asssemblymbly foor theirheir ccommonmmon feastast tto chahantt ththeir praipraises,es, especiespeciallyy for the Archfor the Archangelsls MichMichaelel and Gab Gabriel,iel, whwho arare mentimentionnedd iin tthe Scre Scripturesptures by name. by name.

The The name Michael means “Who is lime Michael means “Who is like God?” and Gabre God?” and Gabriel means “Gel means “God is mighty.” The d is mighty.” The numberumber of Angels is not defined in the divine Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel sacriptures, where Daniel says that thousas that thousands of thousds of thousands mnds mininisteredtered befbefore Him, and ten thousands ore Him, and ten thousands of ten ten thousands attousands attendednded upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authouthorities, Prinities, Principalities, Arcipalities, Archangels, and Angels., and Angels.

ApApolylytikkion of SySynaxxis of the AArchchangelsls

O CommO Commanders of nders of the Heavenly Hoshe Heavenly Host, we t, we the un unworthyorthy beseech you, beseech you, that through your at through your entreatiesntreaties yyou will fortify uu will fortify us, guarding us in , guarding us in the shehe sheltterr of the wings of your ethereof the wings of your ethereall glory, eglory, even en as we ferves we fervently bow before you cryintly bow before you crying: “D: “Deliver uver us from all danger, as Commanders of from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! “he Powers on high! “

Kontakion of Synaxis of the Archangels

CChieff CCommmmandernders off GoGod;; mmininisterrs of divinvine glory;glory; guguidedes ffor r men n and leeaddershipship of thof the InIncorporeorporeal;; asas Chieff CCommammanddersrs of the IncorporIncorporeaal,, plead for our welffor our welfarere and for d for grreaat mercy.mercy.

MMatthew the AApostle &&p; EEvaangelist

ThisThis Apostle,, who wwho wass alsoo ccalllledd LevLevi, was , was thhe ssonn off AlphaAlphaeuss anand hadd GalilGalileee ass his homelhis homeland.d. AA ppubblicanican bebefore beine being called by Chr called by Christ, hst, he became o became one of the Twelve Apothe Twelve Apostles, atles, and an Evangelid an Evangelistt.

While sWhile still in Pill in Palestlestine,e, he wrhe wrotete his Ghis Gospel firspel first in Hebrew, being a in Hebrew, being also thso the first of first of all to write the Gospel. Whell to write the Gospel. When he is he is depictedepicted in icons, there is portrin icons, there is portrayed yed next to him the xt to him the likenekeness of a man, one of s of a man, one of thehe symbolic living cresymbolic living creatures menures mentioned by Ezekiel (1.10), wioned by Ezekiel (1.10), which, as Saint Irich, as Saint Irenaeus naeus writes, is a symbol of our Saviour’s Incarnation.rites, is a symbol of our Saviour’s Incarnation.

ApApollytikkionn of AApoostlle anand EEvangelist Matthew

O Holy O Holy Apostle apostle and Evang Evangelistlist MaMattthew,w, intentercede cede to our mo our merciful Gorciful God,, that He may grant that He may grant our ur sououls forgivs forgiveness of sins.ness of sins.

Kontakion of Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

WWhen thou den thou diddstt ccast away the publst away the publicacan’s’s balance and balance and wastt united tunited to the yoke of uprightnee yoke of uprightness, then ds, then didst thou prove st thou prove a merchant merchant of gregreat excet excellencnce,, one tone that gathat gatheredred in the in the weealthlth of of the wiwisddomm of HeHeaven; for thiven; for this ccause,use, the woword d of f truthuth ththouu didsdidst h heraldald, O MaO Mattthew,w, and dand didstdst ararouseuse the ssoululs of s of sluggish muggish men by n by signifyingignifying the dread day of reckoningthe dread day of reckoning

AAndrew the First-CCalled Apostle

This Saint was frThis Saint was from Bem Bethsahsaida of Galda of Galilee; he was the slee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles.s.

HeHe had had first been a disciple been a disciple of John John the BaBaptitist; aft; afterwardrwards,, onn hhearing thring the Baptist’sBaptist’s witwitness conceess concerning Jning Jesussus, wwhenn he phe pointedinted HHim ouout witith hihis finginger and r and saidaid, “B”Beholdold the LLambmb of God,God, Which Which takethaketh away way thehe sin of sin of the world”” (John 1.29,36), h(John 1.29,36), he str straightway followightway followedd Christ, Christ, and became His fibecame His firstst didiscipciple;e; whewherefore he is cfore he is calledlled ththe Fi First-st-called of the Apostlesalled of the Apostles.

After the AscensiAfter the Ascension of of the She Savviour, he preached iur, he preached in varivarious lands; and having suus lands; and having sufferedfered many things for His Name’s sake, he died in Patras of many things for His Name’s sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shachaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape e of an “X,” the firf an “X,” the first lettertter of “Christ” in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint of “Christ” in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew..

AApollytikkion of AApostle AAndreww

As firsAs first of t of the Apostles to be called, O A Apostles to be called, O Andrdrew,w, brobrother of him (P of him (Peter) who wter) who was foremoss foremost,, beseech the beseech the Massteer of aall to grant thl to grant the world pe world peace ace and ou our souls gre souls great mercy.t mercy.

Kontakion of Apostle Andrew

LeLet us pus praaisse tthee nnamemesakeake oof b bravery,avery, the divinethe divinely y eloquent loquent and firfirstt to bo be ccalllledd of the Dihe Disciplesciples off Chrihrist,, tthe kinkinsmman of Pof Petter.r. As hAs he c called olled out to hito him in days days of old, f old, soo now now he ccalls to us,, “Com”Come, wwe h havve foufound Him for whom wHim for whom we ye yearneded.””

KKathherine the GrGreat Marrtyr of Alexandria

SainSaint Cather Catherine,e, whwho was fwas from Alom Alexxandria, was ndria, was thehe ddaughteughter of Cons of Constas (oas (or Cestus). She westus). She was an exceedingly beaus an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most ciful maiden, most chastaste, and illust, and illustrious ious in w wealth, lineage, and learning. alth, lineage, and learning.

By hBy her sr steadfasteadfast undernderstanding,tanding, she utteshe utterly vly vanqunquishhedd the ppasssionatenate and unand unbridlledd ssoul oul of MaxMaximinuminus, the tyratyrant of Alt of Alexandria;xandria; and by nd by her eloque eloquencce, she stoshe stopped the mped the mouuths of thhs of the so- so-callalled philod philosopherophers whwho had beehad been g gatheredthered tto disp disputete wwithth her. She wher. She was crows crowneed with the crwith the crown of mawn of martyrdomtyrdom in tin the year 305 year 305. HeHer holyoly reelics were tcs were takeken by Angels by Angels to the hoo the holy mountamountain of Sinai, wh of Sinai, wherere theyy wwere discre discovvered mared many yy yearsars later;later; the fafamous monastermonastery of Sainof Saint Cat Catherinerine was as originally iginally dedicatededicated tto the Holy TranHoly Transffiguguratation of on of thehe Lord Lord and thethe BuBurninging BuBush,h, butbut llateer wwas ddedicdicatedd tto SSaint Catherineint Catherine.

AccAccordirding g to the o the ancncient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated ent usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th the 24th of this month, whethis month, whereas s thehe holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Mononastestery of Mouny of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festivel Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively togethe together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorhurches, however, commemorate te these Saints on theise Saints on their or origiginal datal dates.s.

ApApolytikkioon off GGreaat MMartyyr CaCatheriine

Let us praise tLet us praise thee most auspicious bride of most auspicious bride of Chriist, the divine Katherine, prt, the divine Katherine, protectress ectress of Sinaif Sinai, ouour aid and our aid and our help. For, she elp. For, she brrilliantly lliantly silenced tilenced the ele eloquence of the imquence of the impiousious by the swby the sword ord of the spirit, and nthe spirit, and now, croww, crowned aed as a mar a martyr, she yr, she asks greasks great mercy f mercy for ar all.l.

Kontakion of Great Martyr Catherine

OO ffriiends of mmartyyrs,, noww ddivivinelly raaisee up a reneewed chororus,, ppraaisinging the all-ll-wisse KKatherinrine.. FForr, she pproclclaimmed ChrChrist in the aarena,, trampampled oon the serpentpent, and spaat upuponn the knnowwleedgge of tthee ororatorstors.

John Chryysoostom,, AArchbishop of CConstantinopplee

Thisis ggreateatest a and mosmost bbelovvedd of of allll CChristiistian on oratorstors wwas born born inn AntAntiooch the Gthe Great eat in tn thee yyeaar 344344 oor 347; h 347; his s pioiouss pparerentts wewere cacalled SSecunduscundus anand An Anthusa.usa. AAfterter hhis mo motherher was wwas widdowedwed aat t the agee of twwenty, sy, she devdevoted heted herselelf tto bbringingging up John up John and hishis eeldder r sisisterer inin the nururturure and adadmonitionnition oof the L the Lord. John red. John receivedived hiss llitteraryary training undraining underr AntAnthragaagathiushius thethe phiphiloosopher,opher, and LLibbaniusius tthe sophsophist,, who wo wass tthe ggreatest Greek stest Greek scholar anolar and rherhetoricianrician of f hiis day day.

LibLibaninius was a pagan, and wh was a pagan, and whenn asked beasked beforeore his dedeath whoth whom he wiishedd to have for hihave for his s successor, hssor, he ssaid, “Johd, “John, had no, had not the Chhe Christitianns sstolen holen him fm from us.” With suom us.” With such aa trraiining,g, andand with ith suchuch gifgifts s as hs he hhadd by nnatureure, JJohnhn hhad befd before hre himm a brilliana brilliant car careerer aas a rhe a rhetoriciarician.. But thrBut throughugh the ggood examod example of his goof his godlyly mmothherr AnAnthusausa and and of the holy Bhe holy Bishshop Me Meletiustius of Af Antiochtioch (see (see Feb.. 112)), by wwhom m hee wwas os ordadained rened readeder ababoutut ththe ye year 370 370, he che chosese ininsteadtead to ddedicatedicate himmselfelf too GodGod.

FromFrom the yee yearsrs 374 374 to 381 he lo 381 he livvedd the monasticnastic lilifee in in the hermithermitageges thathat were neere nearr Antiontioch. Hh. His extremeextreme asceticism unsceticism underminedermined hisis hehealth, compelllth, compelling him g him too retturnrn to Antioco Antioch,, whewhere S Sainint MeletiuMeletius ordained ordained himm deacon abodeacon about ththe yearear 3381.1. SSaint Meletint Meletius was ccalledlled to Constto Constantintinoplple llater ththatt yearyear to presito preside ove over the SecoSecond Ecd Ecummeniicalal CCouncil,uncil, durduringng whhichch he ffelll asleesleep inn tthe Le Lord.rd. IIn 386 Bi 386 Bishohop Fl Flavviaan ordainordained Johd John p presbyterbyter of the ChurchChurch off AAntiocioch.. UUponon hhis elelevattioon tto the pe priestiesthoodood his career as a career as a pubublic preacher bec preacher began,an, and hisis exexceptieptionnal l oratoricrical gl gifftss were mere madede mmaniffestst thrhroughugh his many sermhis many sermons aandd commentariescommentaries.

Theyy aare disistinguiishedd bby theeirr eleloququencce an and the reremaarkablkable eeasese wiwith wwhichich rich imarich imagery y annd scr scriptpturalral alluusiionns arere multmultippliied;d; by tby theeir d deppthh ofof insighsight into the meananing g of Scripf Scriptureure and nd thehe wworkirkingss ofof God’God’s provid providence;nce; annd,, notnot leaast of all, by tall, by theiir eaarnnesstnnessss aandd mmoralal forcce,, wwhiich issuissue frfrom thee hheaartt of a blblammelless anss and gguiilelessess mman wwhoo livlived ffirrst wwhatt he preapreachehed to otothersers.

BecaBecausse of hishis fame, fame, he was choschosenn to succeedcceed SaiSaint NNectactariuius ass PPattriarch ch off ConstantinoplConstantinople.. HHe wwas taks takenn away by staway by stealalth, h, too avoavoid d thee oppposisitionion of tthe pepeople,le, and conconsecraecrateded PaPatriarch riarch off Constantinople oon FebruFebruaryry 28,28, 398,398, byy TTheopphilulus, PPatriarcarch off AlAlexxandrdriaa, wwho wwass to pprovve hhis morortal eenemymy.

AtAt ththatt ttimme the EmpEmperor of of the EEast was Arwas Arcadidius,, whwho hadad had Saint Ad Saint Arseniunius the GrGreaat ass hisis ttutorr (s(seee MayMay 8); Arcad8); Arcadiuus wwas aa maman off wweak k characaracterer, and mand muchch undunderr the inflthe influenceence of of his wifewife EudEudoxia.xia. TThe zealzealousus and upnd uprightight Chryshrysostostom’s u’s unspsparringg cecenssureres ofof the laxax mmoralsrals in in the impeimperial ciial city sttungng ththe vvainin EudEudoxixia;; thrhrougugh TTheeophiphilus’us’ plplotttingss and and herr collcollabboratration,on, SSainint Jo Johnn wasas bbanishnishedd to PPontusus inin 4033.

TheThe peoppeoplee were inin anan upruproar,ar, anand the the followowing nnigghtt anan eaarthquakthquake sshookk thehe ccity;ty; thiss soo frighfrightenedned the Empress Euss Eudoxxiaa that shat she bebeggged ArcArcaddius us too callll CChryrysoostomom back. Wback. Whilile his s returturn waswas ttriumphmphant,t, his rechis reconcncililiationtion with ththe Emp Empress did ss did noot lasst l long.g. WWhenen sshe had a had a silverlver statue statue of herselfself eereccteded in tthe forue forum before the Ch Churchch of tthee HHoly Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in SeptembeWisdom (Saint Sophia) in September of 403, and had it d of 403, and had it deddicatedated wwithth mumuch unsh unseememly ry revelvelry, Sy, Sainint John thund John thunderered agaiagainstst her, her, and she cod she could not fold not forgivegive himhim.

IIn June une of 404 f 404 hee was exilexiled to to Cucuucusuus,, on thee bordorderrs of CCiliiciaia annd ArmArmennia.a. FrFrom h here he exxchhangeged letterletters wiwith Pop Pope InnInnocentcent of RRomme,, whho sensent bis bishopsops andd ppriestsiests too ConstConstantntinople requequestitingg thatat aa ccouunccill bbe hheld.d. Saint John”s eenemmies,, dredreaddingg hhis rretuurnn, pprevavailedd upuponn the EmpEmperoor tto seee aan inssultlt inn tthis,, andd had JJohhn ttakeken too a mmorre remremote plplacee off bbanisshmement ccallled PPityusyus nneaar the CCaucasusucasus.

ThThe jjourney was firney was filleled with with bittitterr sufferisufferings fgs for r thhe age aged bisbishopop, both both because of of thhe harharshnesshness of of the eelemenements s and nd the cruelty he cruelty of of onee of hisis 310 gua310 guards. He did nds. He did not reach Pityut reach Pityus, bubut gave up gave up his soul to this soul to the Lord neLord near Comana r Comana in Pon Pontuus,, at that the chapel chapel of the Maf the Marttyrr BBasiliscusiliscus (s(see MMay 22), who had appy 22), who had appeaared to him m shortlyhortly before, foretelling the before, foretelling the day of his d of his death, which caath, which came to pass on September 14, 407. e to pass on September 14, 407.

His last wHis last words were “Grds were “Glorory be be to God for all tho God for all things.” Hngs.” His hs holyly relics were brrelics were brought ught fromrom CComamanaa to to Constantinople tonstantinople thiirtty-one year-one years later by the Emper later by the Emperor Theodor Theodosius ius the Yhe Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against hiunger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27. be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.

Saint JoSaint Johnn was suwas surnnammedd ChrChryssostomstom (“G(“Gollden-mouth”) becauen-mouth”) becausee of hof his es eloqoqueencce.. HHe made exhamade exhauststive commentarcommentariess onon tthe de divvinee ScripturScriptures s andd wwas thhe authothor of morore works tha works than aanyy ootherr ChuChurchch FaFather,her, lleaving us coaving us complete cplete commemmentaririess on on the Book of GBook of Genesiis,, the Gthe Gospels ospels of SaSainntss MaMatththew w and John, the And John, the Acts, and all tts, and all the Epe Epistles of Saistles of Saintt PaPaul. Hil. His extantextant wworksks are 1,447 sermare 1,447 sermonss and 240 epistles. Tand 240 epistles. Twenty-twenty-two teache teachers of of the Chu Church havch have written homilies o written homilies of praise in his h praise in his honounour. B. Besidessides hishis fefeassts on 13ts on 13th Octob October and and on JanuaJanuary 27 27, he he is cs celeblebratated as on as one off thehe TThrreee HierarchHierarchs on Januan Januaryy 30, 30, togetogetherr with Swith Saint Basiint Basil the Gre the Great and Sa and Saintt GregGregoryy the Thethe Theologianogian.

It shIt should be uld be nooted thed that, because September 14 t, because September 14 is the Exaltatis the Exaltation of tthee Cross, tross, the Saint’s memoe Saint’s memory ha has been tran been transferred ferred to this day.>

ApApolytlytikkion off John Chrysostom

ThThe g graceace of of your words words illuminluminateted the unive the universse like a like a shininghining beacacon.n. IIt amaamassedd treasures reasures off munificmunificencence in n thhe worlworld.. It demoIt demonstratstrated thd the g greatnesseatness of huof humility, teaching ulity, teaching us by yby yourr owwn words; therefore, O Fwords; therefore, O Father Johther John Chr Chrysostom,sostom, intercede to Christ the Logos tercede to Christ the Logos for the s the salvalvation of our souls of our souls.

Kontakion of John Chrysostom

You reYou received divine grace from Heaven, and by your own lips eived divine grace from Heaven, and by your own lips taught all taught all to worship the One God in Trinity. All- worship the One God in Trinity. All-bllessed, venessed, venerableable John Chrysostom, deservedly, we praise you for you are a teacher clearly revealing things divine.John Chrysostom, deservedly, we praise you for you are a teacher clearly revealing things divine.

EnteEnter yyouur em email addaddress bbellow tto subssubscriribe to the site and nand never mmisss ouut onn any infany informationmation.

October 2025

For operatFor operational reanal reasons,ons, ththe first two w first two weeks of Oceks of Octobeober were not loaded onto the webs were not loaded onto the website, hte, however here are the detailwever here are the details for the rest of October. for the rest of October.

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Holy Communion?	Saints Days Celebrated	Scripture Readings
Saturday	18th	N/A	N/A	Service will be held next day	No	Saint Luke the Apostle and Evangelist	N/A
Sunday	19th	9.30	13.00	Diving Liturgy – 3rd Sunday of Luke	Yes	Saint Luke the Apostle and Evangelist	John 20:11-18; II Corinthians 11:31-33;12:1-9; Luke 7:11-16
Saturday	25th	18.30	19.30	Great Vespers	No	Saint Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-Gusher	II Corinthians 1:8-11; Luke 7:1-10
Sunday	26th	9.30	13.00	Divine Liturgy – 6th Sunday of Luke	Yes	Saint Demetrios the Great Martyr and Myrrh-Gusher	John 20:19-31; II Timothy 2:1-10; Luke 8:26-39

AgAgios Demetrios

Saint Demetrios suffered in Saint Demetrios suffered in Thessalonikassalonika during thduring the reign eign of Galef Galeriusius Maximian (c. 306). He belonge(c. 306). He belonged too onee ofof ththe mmostst ddiststinguishedguished famfamillies off the provprovince of Mnce of Macedocedoniaia and was widelidely admireddmired nnott onlyly bbecausecause of of his nobis noble ancncestry try and grd gracece off bbeararing,ng, bubut also foror virvirtuue,, wisdwisdomm and ggoodnessodness of h heaartt suurpapasssingg that off his es elderders.

TheThe military ilitary expexpertisetise of SSaiintt DDemetrmetrios ledled GalGalerius,rius, aas Ca Caesarar of the EEasstern Empireern Empire, to appoippoint him comm him commandnderr of the RoRoman fan forcess in TThessalssaly aandd PProconconsulul for Hellfor Hellas.. But for But for allll tthis,, DeDemetretrioos remremaineded eeverr aawarere off thehe uunderlyerlying reg realilities es of life. Sif life. Sincece faitfaith i in CChristrist hhadd toucheuched his heheart,rt, allll ththe glglory ory of tthis wworrldd meant nmeant nothhingg to him, him, annd theree was nnothithing hg he prepreferrerred toto teteachinghing annd preachpreachingg the wordword of GodGod.

DespDespitete ththe pperrsecutioecution directedirected aagainsnst Ch Christistiansns byy thhe EmEmperor,ror, SaSaint DeDemetriioss brought a llarge rge numberumber of papagans s too the fhe faiith. His woh. His wordsds coconvincevinced ththem bem becaausse thhey saw iy saw in the rrighteghteouusnessness, pepeacece and brotherlrotherly lloveve tthat markked d hisis life life an illuustrattratioon off the trtruthth of of whhicch hee spoke.spoke.

The Emp Emperorror MMaxximmian had jujust won aa sseriess of bbrillialliant victories overver tthee SScytythianns aand wass on his wwayy bbackck to RomRome whenn hhe hhaltlted at T Thessalssalonikka to receceiveve tthe acclacclamatioonss of the ppopulacpulace and too offoffer sacrisacrificicess inin ththankksgivigiving g too tthe idolss.

AA nunumbber ofof ppagganns,, enviviouss off thethe succuccesss off tthee SSaint,, ttookok aadvantatagee off the Emperor”s ppreseencee inin the city tcity to denenouncnce Demetrios asas aa CChriistian.ian. MaximiaMaximian’s’s asstonisonishment gavve wayway to vviololentnt indignagnatiionn wwhenn he waas toltold tthat Dat Demmetrios’trios’ was mmakikingg ususe ofof hisis officiofficial positioposition tto sprpreaad the faith. De faith. Demetriotrios wass susummonmoned aandd coconffinedd iin a ceell,l, llocatcated id in tthe basemenasement off nnearby by bathsths.

MMaximiximian arrangarranged fforr gamgames a andd gladiagladiatorialal ccombatsmbats tto takake placace in the aamphphithheater off the city. He had bbrouughtht wiwith himhim aa man of gf gigananticic ststatureure annd HercHerculleanan strtrenggth calllled LyaLyaios,, aa VVandalal byby oorigin.gin. SSucch wasas thiss mman”s sstreenggth anand skkill in ssinglle combcombat that noo oone ccouuld wiwithsstanand himm.

ThereThere was inn thee cicityy a youna young Ch Christiistian n callalledd NesNestor,or, whoo obsobservrving g thehe emppty py pridede off ththe E Emperor peror in thhe victoriictoriess oof his champion, machampion, made up up his mmindnd to shoto show himim ththat rt realal ppowerwer bebelongsngs tto CChrristt alalone.ne. HeHe raan to to thee bbathsths wwhereere DDememetriosrios was as imprisonedmprisoned annd asked for asked for the prottecctionion of hiss prprayeryer in gin goinging to c confrontnfront thehe gigiant.. TThee MMarrtyryr mademade the ssiggn of of thhe C Crooss on the brthe brow and the heart ow and the heart of the boy, boy, and send sent him like David before Goliath him like David before Goliath.

HHe rereacheched the the amphmphitheatertheater jjust as the hest as the heralds were cryalds were crying out on all out on all siddes for as for anyy wwho woo would stald stand against Lagainst Lyaioios.. AdvAdvancncing g towardsowards ththe E Empperor, Ner, Nestortor tthrew hirew his tuntunic to thc to the gground and shund and shouted,uted, “G”God od of DemetrDemetrioos,, hhelp mp me!” I!” In ththe first encirst encounteunter,, aat t the ververy mmomentment tthe g giant ru rushedhed upoupon him, Nem, Nestortor slippslippedd asiide a and stabb stabbed hiim tto the hehearrt wi with hih his ddaggegger.. TTherere wwas uuproaoar an and amazemenamazement at t at the marvrvel,l, and people people askskedd tthemsemselvves how a mere chils how a mere child,, relying neirelying neitherr on on strengthtrength nor wenor weapopons,s, could suld so suddenly have b suddenly have broughought downown the bbarbarrbarianan.

RathRather than yield to the sign of the sovereign r than yield to the sign of the sovereign power of God, ower of God, thhe E Emperor flew into a rage and ordered the immediate arrest of Nestor and his peror flew into a rage and ordered the immediate arrest of Nestor and his beheading outside the city. He had heaheading outside the city. He had heardd Nestor calling upon the God of Demetrios and, supposing the Saint had used some kind of witchcraft, Maximian ordered his soldiers to go and thrust Demetrios through with their lances, without trial, in the depths of his prison cell. There were some Christians, including Demetrios’ servant Lupus, present at his martyrdom, and when the soldiers had gone, they reverently buried the Saint’s body.Nestor calling upon the God of Demetrios and, supposing the Saint had used some kind of witchcraft, Maximian ordered his soldiers to go and thrust Demetrios through with their lances, without trial, in the depths of his prison cell. There were some Christians, including Demetrios’ servant Lupus, present at his martyrdom, and when the soldiers had gone, they reverently buried the Saint’s body.

It was God’s will that the grace with which He filled Saint Demetrios should remain active even after his death. This is why He caused to flow from his body a myron with a delightful scent, which had the property of healing all who took it as an unction, with faith in the intercession of the Saint.

Time and again, during sixteen hundred years, Saint Demetrios has given proof of his benevolent care for the city of Thessalonika and its inhabitants. He has defended them from the attacks of barbarians, he has preserved them from plague and famine, healed the sick and comforted the afflicted.

SepSeptemmber 20252025

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Holy Communion?
Sunday	7th	9.15	12.45	Sunday Service – Divine Liturgy	Yes
Sunday	7th	18.30	19.30	Vespers – The Nativity of the All Holy Mother of God	No
Monday	8th	9.30	11.30	The Nativity of the All Holy Mother of God	Yes
Saturday	13th	18.30	19.30	Vespers – Exaltation of the Holy Cross	No
Sunday	14th	9.15	12.45	Exaltation of the Holy Cross	Yes
Sunday	21st	9.15	12.45	Sunday Service – Divine Liturgy	Yes
Sunday	28th	9.15	12.45	Sunday Service – Divine Liturgy	Yes

Tlor”>The FeaFeastt of the Natiivityy off OuOur MMosst HHolly LLady,dy, the TheTheottokoss andnd EveEver-Vi-Virgin Mary Mary

TThe FeFeast of tthe NNattivvityy off OOur MoMostt HHolyy LLady, tthe TTheotokosos andd EvEver-V-Virgigin MMarry is celebrelebrated on Septemben September 88 eeach y yearar. The FeaFeastt cocommmemooratess the bbirthh off the MotMother ofof JJesus Chrsus Christ, oust, our LLordrd.

BBackground

The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not reThe birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded irded in the Gthe Gospels or other books ospels or other books of the NNew Testw Testament, however thiment, however this informa information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.ion can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.

AccordAccordinng to the to the stotory found in y found in this book, Mary’s his book, Mary’s parentarents, J, Joachim and Anna, wechim and Anna, were e childless fildless for many years. They remaine many years. They remained faithful t faithful to God, b God, but tht their prayers for a child were uir prayers for a child were unananswered. One day, when Joachwered. One day, when Joachim m came tame to the temple to make a the temple to make an offeri offering, he wg, he was s turned awaurned away by by the High Priest wh High Priest who chas chastised him fised him for his lacr his lack of children. To hide hif children. To hide his shame, J shame, Joachim retre retreated to ted to the hill c hill coununtry try to live am live among the ng the shehephherrds s annd theirheir fflocks.ocks.

As JoacAs Joachimim was praywas praying,g, hhis wifwife A Annaa wwas ps praayinging att the ssameme ttimme atat theeir hour housee in Jin Jerurusalemalem. AnAn angengel appppeararedd to boboth oof ttheem and aannouncedounced ththatt AAnna na wouldould hhavve a child wwhosese nname wwoululd bbe known known thhrououghouhout the wororld.. Anna promAnna promiseded tto offefer herr chhildd ass a gifgift to the LLorrd.. Joacoachimm rretururnedd homhome,, annd in dueue timme A Annana bbore a daugdaughter,r, MaMaryy.

IIcon of the FFeast

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The icon directs attention to Mary as the central figure in this feast. It also acknowledges the joy that was felt by Joachim and Anna as new parents with a child received through a promise from God. The liturgical texts of the feast acknowledge this joy and confirm the special role of Mary as the Mother of the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ. In this event, another step is made in sacred history in preparation for the entrance of Christ into the world.

The iciconn andnd the ffeaastt alalsoo aacknowknowledgege aa transransittioon ffromm bbarrerrenneess to llife.fe. ThThis was bwas but aanootherr fforeshadoweshadowing of wwhat woulwould bbe offfferedd thhrouggh ChChrisist,, the transformmatioon ffromm ddeathh too eeterrnalal liffe.

OOrthhodoxx CChriristtiaan Ce Celebratebratioon off tthe Fee Feast of tf the NNativityvity of the TheTheottokosos

The FeThe Feast of the Nativity of the Theotost of the Nativity of the Theotokos is celebrated with the Divine Lituros is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chy of Saint John Chrysysostom which is condstom which is conducted octed on the morning of the Feast an the morning of the Feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27—44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28. preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27—44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.

Tr”>The ExExaltation of the Hoolyy Crossk>

Trong>The FFeastst of thethe UUniversaliversal ExExaltatioltation off the PreciPrecious aus andd LiLife-Giving-Giving CCross ong> is celebs celebrated eaated each yeyear onn SSeptembeptember 14. The Fe 14. The Feast commst commemoratorates s the he finndinging of of the True Cross of ouour LordLord and SaviSaviour JJesussus CChristt byby SaSaintt HeHeleen,, thee mother off thhe EmpEmperorror CoConstaantinee.

BBackkground

In tIn thee twtwentintieth y yearar of hif his re reiggn (326),(326), the Emperor CoEmperor Constantantine senne sent h his ms motherther SaSaintt Helen to JerusHelen to Jerusalemem tto veneravenerate te the holy plaoly places and tand to findind the ssitete of the Holy SHoly Sepulpulchre and hre and off the the Cross.. RelyiRelying upg upon n thehe oraral tradtraditiotion of the faifaithhful,ul, SainSaint H Helenlen fouound the precious precious Cross toggethherr with the ch the crossossess of tthe ttwo thieveo thieves crcrucificified wiwith h ourur LLord. Hd. Howwever,ver, HHelenlen hhad noo wway y off determimininging whwhich was thch was the Cross of Christ Cross of Christ.

WWithh thhe healilingg of a dydying womg woman whwho toucouchedd onene of the ccrosses, PPatriarcarch MacarMacariuus of JJeruusalalem idenntififiedd the TTrue Cross of Christ. SSainnt HHelen n andnd herr cocourt rt venenerateded the PPrecious aand Ld Liffe-G-Givingg CCross alonss along wiwith manymany others wwhoo camcame tto sseee tthiss ggreatat innstrutrument off RRedemptptioon.

The PatriarThe Patriarch mh mouuntedted the ambthe ambo (pulpit) and li (pulpit) and liftedted the Cross with both hands so that all of thCross with both hands so that all of the people g people gathered could thered could see iee it. The crowd responded with “Lord have mercy”.. The crowd responded with “Lord have mercy”.

This became the occasion of the institution in all of the Churches of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross, not only in memory of the event of the finding of the Cross, but also to celebrate how an instrument of shame was used to overcome death and bring salvation and eternal life.

The Feast Feast is an s an opportupportunityity outside outside of the obsobservrvancences of Holy WHoly Weekek to celebto celebratate the full signifi the full significance of the vance of the victctoryry of the of the Cross ovoverr the powerpowers of of the whe world,ld, and the triumph and the triumph of the wwissdomom of God God through through the Cross over the wisover the wisdomom of thihis wworldrld. ThThis Fes Feastst allsoo ggiveves the Church he Church an opportu opportunityity to relto relishsh the ffull glorylory of of the Cross as a sas a souurcece ofof lighlight,, hophope and victory for Christ’s pictory for Christ’s peoplople. It is . It is also a lso a timime toto ccelebrlebrate tte thee ununivversalityrsality of the woworkk of of redemption mption acccomplimplishedhed tthrrouughh ththe Cro Cross:s: tthe enntirire univeuniversee is seen theen through thgh the lightlight of thof the C Cross, oss, thhe new Tw Treeee ofof LifeLife which which prrovidvidess noourrishmeshment forfor thosose whwho havave beenbeen redeeredeemedd iin Chri Christ.

Icon of the FFeast

The icon of the Feast of the Precious Cross tells the story of the finding of the Cross and of its Exaltation. Patriarch Macarius is standing in the pulpit elevating the Cross for all to see and venerate. On each side of the Patriarch are deacons holding candles. The elevated Cross is surrounded and venerated by many clergy and lay people, including Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine.

In the background of the icon is a domed structure that represents the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. This church was one of the churches constructed and dedicated by Emperor Constantine on the holy sites of Jerusalem.

Auugust 2025t 2025

Day	Date	Start	End	Details	Holy Communion?	Saints Days Celebrated	Scripture Readings
Friday	1st	7pm	8pm	Paraklisis/Petition to Virgin Mary	No	N/A
Sunday	3rd	9.15	12.45	8th Sunday of Matthew	Yes	Isaacius, Dalmatus, & Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmation	John 20.11-18 (8th Matins Gospel), 1 Corinthians 1.10-18 (Epistle), Matthew 14.14-22 (Gospel)
Monday	4th	7pm	8pm	Paraklisis/Petition to Virgin Mary	No	N/A
Tuesday	5th	6pm	7pm	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A
Wednesday	6th	9.15	11.00	Transfiguration of Christ	Yes	N/A	Luke 9:28-36, II Peter 1:10-19, Matthew 17:1-9
Wednesday	6th	11.00	12.30	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A
Thursday	7th	7pm	8pm	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A
Friday	8th	7pm	8pm	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A
Sunday	10th	9.15	12.45	9th Sunday of Matthew	Yes	Xystus, Hippolytus, Lawrence the Archdeacon	John 20:19-31, I Corinthians 3:9-17
Monday	11th	7pm	8pm	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A
Tuesday	12th	7pm	8pm	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A	Matthew 14:22-34
Wednesday	13th	7pm	8pm	Vespers of Transfiguration	No	N/A
Thursday	14th	7pm	8pm	Vespers Dormition of Theotokos	No	N/A
Friday	15th	9.15	12 noon	Dormition of Theotokos	Yes	N/A	Luke 1:39-49, 56, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Sunday	17th	9.15	12.45	10th Sunday of Matthew	Yes	Myron, Thyrsus, Leucius	John 21:1-14, I Corinthians 4:9-16, Matthew 17:14-23
Sunday	24th	9.15	12.45	11th Sunday of Matthew	Yes	Cosmas of Aetolia, Dionysius of Aegea	John 21:14-25, I Corinthians 9:2-12, Matthew 18:23-35
Sunday	31st	9.15	12.45	12th Sunday of Matthew	Yes	Fanourios (Fanouropita)	Matthew 28:16-20, Hebrews 9:1-7, Matthew 19:16-26

Agioios Fanourios

On On Auugust 2727 tthe GGreekk OOrthothodoxx CChurchch celebrlebratees the FFeastst DaDay of Agios Fanourios,, commmmemoratiingg the MarMartyryr and MMiraccle WWorkeker wwho iss aaskked too innteerccedde wwheen thingings are lostost.

FanoFanouropitaopita is s also malso madee onn Auuguustt 27th, to commemorate Saint 27th, to commemorate Saint Fanourios..

The storyory behibehindd tthisis is ssaid id to bo be ththat the SSaint’int’s momothherr iss said said to o havave bbeen aa touugh, an, and ha hardd womomann especespeciaallyly towardsowards the ppoor,or, and beand behavved inhuminhumanly anly and TThe ArchaArchanggell MMichael,chael, allongg with AgiAgios Fas Fanoouriios,, trried too hehelpp hher cchangege bbut c coulduldn’t’t.

Agios Fanourios begged and prayed not for himself but for his mother to be forgiven and for her soul to rest in peace and this is said to have been heard by God. So now the faithful also turn to Agios Fanourios to intercede for them and to pray for them when they lose objects and ask for him to reveal them or to bring them something they desire, especially good health, fertility, or even a for a husband and wife for those who are single.

CChurches DDedicated to Agios Fanourios

The bebestt kknown chwn church ch is locatlocatedd aat tthe ne nammesakesake streeeet in th in the Me Medievalieval Town oTown of ng>Rhodes.. It wIt was built is built in the 13th c13th centurury A.D. IA.D. It’s’s ccross shaposs shapedd and the ininterieriorr is adorned wiis adorned with wond wonderfulrful ffrescos. Icos. It officiatedficiated as a mesgias a mesgit (small mosque) during t (small mosque) during the ottomattoman occupa occupationion.

There There is nono knknowwn tetestimimony ny foror its nits nameme bebefoore thethe ottomottoman pe period.d. The The inntererioor was prpresserved ved in the 20’s by th20’s by the I Italialian AArchachaeologlogiccall ServServicce and ad aftter WWII,WWII, Greeks tGreeks tookok overver the chuchurch. In 1946 th. In 1946 the church was inaugura church was inaugurated ed andnd deddedicatedated to Agios FanouAgios Fanouriosios.

The worworshipp off Agios Fanourios seemseems tto h havve startrtedd ffromm RRhodeodes andd thhen expaxpandedded iniitiallylly to Cto Crette annd thehen to the resrest off the countryuntry.

DiffereDifferent so sourrcees ciite that, whil, while workerworkers wwerere diggigging outsig outsidee the southern wouthern wallss toto ccollectllect bubuildinglding maaterialrials,, they unchey uncoveredvered the ruruinss of a churcha church. AmoAmongg oother things,ings, ann icicon wwas foufound depd depicticting Agiog Agios FFanonourioios wwearingaring a mi militaryitary unifoniform and surrounded by sm and surrounded by scenesenes of hhis mmartyrdtyrdomm.

Obviously that icon was part of a fresco. Agios Fanourios’ first miracle was the liberation of three Cretan priests from pirates while transferring a copy of the archetypal icon to Crete.

There is a specispeciall church dedicated to AgAgiosos Fanourios,, which is locwhich is locateded at Long>Lakke Doxa, which is g> which is ann artartificial lake ificial lake in wewesteern Cn Coririnththia, Gr, Greece. It iece. It is siituated at an elevatiuated at an elevation of 900m, in the municipal unit Feneos, near the villa of 900m, in the municipal unit Feneos, near the village Archaia Feneose Archaia Feneos.

Construction was completed in the late 1990s. It is fed and drained by the small river Doxa, which empties into the plain of Feneos. In the heart of the lake on a small peninsula features the small church of Agios Fanourios.

There There iss alslso a ch a churcch ddediccatedd too SSaint FFanounourioss aat DDrapeetzzona in <Pg>Piraeaeusg>.

The ToTortures off AAgios FFanouurioss

Saint Fanourios,, whwho livlivedd duduriingg RRommann timmes,, wewent upp bravebravely aagaainst thee ididolatrric worlworld,, for thhe CChriistianan sppirrit of of thisis man of GGodd ddid d noot allalloww himim to ddeny his uis unqquestioonablyly virtuouvirtuous prprincciplesples.

Thus,, the 12 tortures that tthe SSaintint sufffferred cconnstitutitute for us for us a strstrong ng motivotivatiotion fofor p perseveeverancance an and adheadherenence to ththe m moral valral values of of Christianity,ty, to comto come outut vvictorctors fromfrom the in-n-cessaessantt sstruggruggle of unbee of unbeliefief and injuand injustice tice of our timef our time.

This Saint teaches us with his real sacrifice that even though we do not struggle against Roman soldiers and vile Hagarenes, still we have to confront the more skillfully set traps of materialism and atheism, that attempt en masse to overwhelm the Christian order.

Saint FanourFanourioos alalso o taughtaught usus that the cthat the crowwn of a vira virtuous lifuous life is nis not et easily wosily won but only throubut only through conth continuounuous tesests – with boldns – with boldnessss, ppattieencece and perseverance. Therefperseverance. Therefore, as true fre, as true fightershters of the faith of the faith let us et us imitatmitate tthe exemplaryexemplary and irreprand irreproachabachable e lifeife of of thhe Sa Saint,t, so thso thatt wwe too may b too may be fou found worthy to ho worthy to honourour tthee Christian nname we bear, as he so fme we bear, as he so fittingly didtingly did.

ThThe icon of Fanou icon of Fanouriosios ofoftenn depictpicts ththe 12 12 toorturtures//tribbulatlationns tthat he was swas subjecbjecteded too aas the pagan Rhe pagan Romaman rul rulerrs tried tried to force him to denodenounncee his Christihis Christian bbeliefs.liefs. Below is whaBelow is what t the icicon typically showsn typically shows.

11. TheThe SSaintt is prpresesent in frontfront of f thehe RRomann mmagistrgistratte,, sstandinging and llookoking likke hhe is boboldlydly tesstifyifyingg andd ddeffending his ChChrisstianian ffaiithh.

22. HeHeree the soldthe soldierers arere interveningtervening andnd ststrikiking FanFanouriurios’ heas’ head and and the mhe mouthuth with with stoones es to forco force him to succumbsuccumb aand denydeny tthee LLordd.

33. The soldsoldierers hhaveve thushus faar bbeccomee enenraged bby the persistestencece of FFanounourioios,, throwingowing himim to tthe ggrounound aandd bbeaatinging him meim mercilcilesslysly wiwith sstiicks and clclubbs to bo breakak his ssteadeadfasast resistanceistance.

44. Fanourios iss in jin jailil and isis bbeinging torttortured ed in a moa mostt abomiabominablble waway.. HeHe appearsappears totally naktally nakedd and and thee surrurroundunding soldoldiers s arre tetearing hng hiss fleshlesh wiwith shasharp mp metaltal iinstrumstrumentsnts. The Saint is ssilelentlyly eendururingng hhiss frighghtffull mamartyyrdomom.

55. FFannourioios isis bbacck in jjail prprayiyingg to GodGod to strenggthen him to the eendd off his ttorturures.

66. The SThe Saintnt is agagain broughbrought befbeforere ththe R Romanan magistmagistratate to ggivve a defenseefense for for his posi-posi-tiion. By n. By thhe ppeaceful expresseful expressioon onn his fhis facce it app appearars tthatat neithereither tthe torturtortures he suf-f suf-fereded nonor thehe futurfuture threats eats off the tytyrant nt can shakan shake his his faith,aith, and thuthus b beiingg undeterredrred he e is wwaitting for furg for furtherher ttorturesrtures.

77. The torturers off FFanournourioos wiwith rragge and cand crueelty aare burning burning hiss naked bnaked bodydy wiwith litit totorchches,s, ththus s showowing hiss iinsupsuperableable ssacrificecrifice for tfor the CCruucifified One.One. TThe Saint Saint winsns agaagain w witth hiss indindomitablemitable willill aandd forfortitudude for for the LLorrd.

88. HHerere hihis savag savage totorturturerrs arare mmakkingg useuse of mechmechanicical me meansns to acto achiievve the worse of his worse of his tortures.. ThTheyy haveave tiedd the Sthe Saintt oon a presspress wwhich cruch crusheshes his bois bonees whewhen rottated.ted. HHe is sufferinguffering wwithhout gut grumbmbling,ing, but obut on hishis bbeautautifuful faceface theree isis an inexprenexpressibleible exuexul-tat-tatioon ssincece he iss suffesuffering ffor the he sakeake oof th the Lord Lord.

99. Fanourios iss cast into a pitpit too becbecomeme preyprey to wilwild beaaststs and his torturrturersrs aare we watchtching frfromm ababoveve to wwittnessess hhiss eend.. TThe beae beasts,ts, hohoweever,, arere totallyally docdocile thrhroughugh tthe gr gracce of GGod ad and sild silentlyy ssurroundround him likim like llambmbs tto enjoynjoy hihis magnimagnificicentnt ccompanympany.

10. 10. The torturere torturers were not satwere not satisfiedfied by tby the latest result so thee latest result so they removed hremoved him frm fromm the hole the hole and ad are crue crushinghing hhimm uunderder a huguge rock, corock, convincevinced that th that they will y will finish him off. Howinish him off. However, even ver, even this timhis time they they doo not succot succeeded.

11. 11. The scene presents the scene presents the Saint in frin front of an altant of an altar,, where the torturers are urgwhere the torturers are urging hg him to sacrifice, placim to sacrifice, placing burning cburning coal in hial in his hands. Fanourios also passes hands. Fanourios also passes thishis test victoriously and a devil in ttest victoriously and a devil in the form of a dragon e form of a dragon is shows shown flyin flying in the air and crying over it in the air and crying over its failure. failure.

12. The last scene 12. The last scene is the end s the end of hif his martyrdom, with martyrdom, with Fanourios beibeing cg cast into a largst into a large furnace standfurnace standing on a ng on a stooltool and suand surrrounded by flaunded by flameses and smoke. Tand smoke. The Saint sSaint seemsms tto be p be prayingaying intintently to God, without contly to God, without complplaiining or grumbling, and thus unwaving or grumbling, and thus unwaveriing and withg and without giving in, hut giving in, he fle flew to to heaven, full of eaven, full of contentment for all tontentment for all thee torturtortures he hs he had d suffuffered for thd for the s sakke of the Lord of the Lord.

Thisis iss whywhy AAgiosios Fanouriosos is knownknown ass ‘T‘Thee UndUndefeafeated OOne’’.

ThThe SaSainnt For FiFindingng LLost TThings

AgiosAgios FanFanourios’rios’ nnamme is from is from the GrGreekek wwordrd ‘f‘fanenerono’&nbm> whichp;which means reve reveal.l.

TThe ttraditionadition of bakif bakingg aa FanFanourropitapita is a great ho great honour be bestowedtowed upupon n the Saint Saint.

Many Greeks wMany Greeks worlrldwide todwide today wwillll mmakeke a Fanouropia Fanouropitaa aand td takke it to church to be blesseit to church to be blessed and then thend then they willwill shshare e it amt amongngstt ffamily amily and fd friendsends.

WheWhen y you mu makeke the cake, ythe cake, you u are alse also mea meant to say-t to say-

“L“Lordd hhavve memercy cy onn the ssoulul oof Agios F Agios Fanououriioss’ mothother.””

Tooday ay iss alsalso the the nameame ddayy of of Fanourioos,, FFanouriaa.

<Xg>Xronnia PPolla!g>

AgiosAgios FanFanourios’rios’ nnamme is from is from the GrGreekek wwordrd ‘f‘fanenerono’&nbm> whichp;which means reve reveal.l.

TThe ttraditionadition of bakif bakingg aa FanFanourropitapita is a great ho great honour be bestowedtowed upupon n the Saint Saint.

Many Greeks wMany Greeks worlrldwide todwide today wwillll mmakeke a Fanouropia Fanouropitaa aand td takke it to church to be blesseit to church to be blessed and then thend then they willwill shshare e it amt amongngstt ffamily amily and fd friendsends.

WheWhen you m you makeke the cake, ythe cake, you are au are also meso meant to say-nt to say-

“L“Lordd hhaveve mmercrcy onn the sthe souul of Af Agiios Fas Fanouourioos’ mo’ motheher.”.”

Today is also the name day of Fanourios, Fanouria.

XXronia Pa Polla!lla!

 Here is an easy to follow recipe-

Ingredients →

• 1 x cup olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups fresh orange juice
• 2 x teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 x teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 x cup sugar
• 2 x cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 1 x cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 x teaspoon baking powder
• Icing sugar for garnishing (optional)

Method →

Ingredients →

• 1 x cup olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups fresh orange juice
• 2 x teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 x teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 x cup sugar
• 2 x cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 1 x cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 x teaspoon baking powder
• Icing sugar for garnishing (optional)

Method →

• Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a 20–25 cm round cake tin with baking paper.
• Place the olive oil, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves and sugar in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves a little.
• 
Gradually add the flour, mixing well, then add the walnuts, followed by the baking powder. Stir until well combined.
• Pour the cake mix into the tin and bake for 15 minutes.
• Reduce the temperature to 130°C and bake for a further 40 minutes or until cooked (a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean). Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
• Dust with icing sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.