Christmas Fast

If people need advice and don't have a spiritual father they can come to me to discuss any concerns.

We don't set our own targets with this. What the church says is the starting point.

The eating of shellfish/seafood (as opposed to fish) is by an ancient allowance as it is without backbone and real blood. There was a grain famine in Constantinople, so it was treated as "grain of the sea" and the relaxation has never been removed.

While in some Orthodox countries such as Romania shellfish is not allowed due to it being landlocked and thus seafood being expensive, this is not the case in our Patriarchate.

And as I began.... Nobody is compelled to fast. There is only benefit in doing it, not loss from not. Everyone has different abilities and strengths.

Best wishes and may you have a blessed Nativity Fast when it begins.

Πατήρ Γρηγόριος / Fr Gregory

ANNOUNCEMΕNT

Pastoral Visit of H. Eminence Nikitas, Archbishop of Thyateira & Great Britain.

Festal Celebration of the Saints of our Community, Stylianos and Ambrosios

Sunday 7th December 2025

Dear Members and Friends of our Community,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the Patronal Feast of our Community of Saints Stylianos & Ambrosios that will take place on Sunday, 7th of December 2025.

We will have the honour on that day to be the recipients of a Pastoral visit from His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira & Great Britain who in order to enhance our celebrations will preside at the Divine Liturgy.

We are inviting all to be present to celebrate this Feast together. The participation of members and friends of the Community, especially the pupils of our School with their teachers, will enrich the festivities and will also honour the visit of His Eminence.

These kinds of celebratory events are significant and formal not only from a religious perspective, but in combining social, educational and cultural activities thus reflecting the multiethnic setting of our region.

With respect and best wishes,

Oikonomos Gregorios Wellington, Priest in Charge,

Niki Beales, President

On behalf of the Ecclesiastical/Community Committee

Please note: Matins will commence at 9am.

Celebration of Vespers

We would like to bring to the attention of the community and interested persons that there will be a celebration of Vespers at 6pm on 08 November 2025 for the Feast of St Nektarios of Pentapolis the Wonderworker (+1920), there will also be the chance to venerate the icon of the Archangels from their feast on the 08 November itself.

The Vespers service will be followed by a talk by Fr Gregory Florides between 7pm and 8pm on "Living the Services and Sacraments" which will be presented in English with a summary at the end in Greek, and with the possibility to ask questions afterwards.

Fr Gregory Florides is a recently ordained younger priest who serves at the Community of St Barnabas at Wood Green and is completing his doctoral studies in Thessaloniki.

We look forward to seeing you there. Coffee and biscuits will be provided between the end of Vespers at 645pm and the start of the talk.

With best wishes

Fr Gregory Wellington

Priest in Charge