As members and clergy of St Alban’s British Orthodox Church in Chatham we had felt that we should be organising a regular activity to allow members of the British Orthodox Fellowship in our area to experience something of our Christian life, as indeed was the purpose of the Fellowship being introduced.

So far we have welcomed visitors to two Study Evenings. The first was held in November and had as its topic, ‘The Jesus Prayer’. The second has just taken place and the topic was ‘Praying with Icons’. Read more ►

Abba Seraphim came back to Mickfield in Suffolk on 24 November to speak on the Fathers and the Saints.

This was his third visit to us, and he asked whether this time, being more accustomed to him, we might have a more discursive style of talk; this turned out to be a very good idea, since we were able to have a good give and take in which most members of the audience were able to join ; it was certainly well suited to bringing out Abba Seraphim’s lively sense of wit. Read more ►

On Saturday, 11th November, at St Thomas’ Church, Charlton, many clergy, members and friends of the British Orthodox Church, and members of the British Orthodox Fellowship, gathered for the ordination of Deacon Seraphim Mina to the priesthood by Abba Seraphim, Metropolitan of Glastonbury. Read more ►

Abba Seraphim spoke at Mickfield in Suffolk at 7.30 p.m. on 22 September. He spoke on the Liturgy and Orthodox Worship. Asking ‘what do we mean by worship’, he spoke on the theme of God being ‘worthy’ of our adoration and prayer.

He reminded us that the Liturgy here on earth is but a reflection of the Divine Liturgy which is worshipped in Heaven; Protestants, he remarked, in one of those dry asides that also enlighten as well as amuse, might well be surprised at the incense hereafter! Read more ►

Today is the feast of Pentecost. A special day, a happy day, because Pentecost is the reason why we have kept the season of Lent, entered into the passion and suffering of our Lord during Holy Week, and remembered His glorious Ascension into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father.

Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ came down from heaven and became man for the sake of Pentecost. He was beaten, nailed to a cross and died for the sake of Pentecost. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, as he said Himself. If I depart from you I will send the Holy Spirit.

God is working His purpose out. And His purpose has been to make a new people for Himself, and the life of this new people is the Holy Spirit. God has sent the Holy Spirit to fill the lives of God’s new people, the Church, and through them to share this new life with the world. The promises God made in the Old Testament through his people the Israelites are now being fulfilled in the new Israel which is the Church, for where it was once the case that only one people bore the name of God, and it was necessary to be born into the Jewish people to become part of the people of God’s promise, now God has made his promise available to all people.

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