Monday 31 December 2012

Services in January 2013

 Audley and Dresden



Wed 2nd 11am Divine Liturgy

Sat 5th 6pm Vesperal Liturgy and Great Blessing of the Waters in church
Sun 6th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 9th 11am Divine Liturgy

Sat 12th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 13th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Mon 14th 7pm Meeting of the Trustees/Church Council at Sparch Hollow
Wed 16th 11am Divine Liturgy

Sat 19th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 20th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 23rd 11am Divine Liturgy

Sat 26th 3.30pm Baptism of Philip Andrew Banciu (son of Iulian and Iulia)
6pm Great Vespers
Sun 27th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 30th 11am Divine Liturgy

Please arrange House Blessings before February 2nd.

Name days

1st Vasiliki Harvey
7th Afaf; Cristian; Jan; Oana
14th Nino; Vasilii
17th Antonis
27th Nina (os)
Reposed
6th Archpriest Michael Harper (2010)
14th Mary Carter (2005)
18th Fr. John Nield (2001)
Deanery Parish Feasts
13th Saint Kentigern, Doncaster
16th Saint Fursey, Sutton



DERD Syria appeal


Rather closer to home, but still on the subject of Syria, Archpriest
Father Gregory reported on 13th December that he had dispatched a
further £1,600 to the Patriarchate’s DERD Syria appeal. This makes a
total of £9,100 for the year from parish donations. 
The appeal remains open for your contributions.

The Daily Star -19/12/2012


BEIRUT: Christians belong in Syria and will remain there despite the challenges facing them,
newly elected Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi said Monday.
Yazigi, bishop of Western and Central Europe, was elected Greek Orthodox patriarch of the
Levant and Antioch, succeeding Patriarch Hazim Ignatius IV who died earlier this month in
Beirut.
“Christians are staying in Syria because the land is theirs and they will not leave it,” Yazigi
said in remarks to reporters shortly after the news of his election was made public around
noon.
The 57-year-old Yazigi was elected with at
least ten votes during a meeting at
Balamand Monastery near Tripoli,
officials with knowledge of the Monday
meeting told The Daily Star.
Bishop Antonio Chedraoui of Mexico and
Bishop Saba Esper of Syrian region of
Bosra-Houran also received votes, the
officials said.
The election took place during a
gathering of 18 bishops from Greek
Orthodox archbishoprics around the
world who had arrived to Lebanon to elect Hazim’s successor.
Hazim’s 33-year service at the head of the church came to an end earlier this month after
the patriarch suffered a stroke.
Like Hazim, Yazigi is also Syrian. He was born in Latakia in 1955.
In 2008, Yazigi was elected Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe after serving four
years as the abbot of Balamand Monastery.

Yazigi, who first graduated from Latakia’s University of Tishreen with a bachelor degree in
Civil Engineering, continued his studies at St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology. He
then earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece in 1983.
Rebuffing claims that the ongoing violence in Syria between the regime and the opposition
is leading to an end to Christian presence in Syria, Yazigi said that people of Syria will
endure the current challenges as they have done in the past.
“In difficult times throughout history, many said that this is the end [for Christians], but
with our faith we carried on and we will now,” Yazigi said.
He called on Christians in Lebanon and Syria to stand united against all difficulties, adding
that Christians and Muslims in the region share the same fate.
“We are one family and our fate is one. Our journey is toward serving this people and God
help us to prevail in this journey,” Yazigi said in a news conference following the meeting.
“We are from this land and this land is part of us,” he said.
Lebanese politicians welcomed the election of the new patriarch and voiced hope that he
succeeds in fulfilling the church’s mission in the region.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said he is confident that the newly elected Greek
Orthodox patriarch will continue supporting coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
“We are confident, especially in these times of great transformations in the region and the
Arab world, your [Yazigi] words will have a positive effect in speaking the truth and
continuing the establishment of a rich coexistence with Muslims and the establishment of
one national identity,” Hariri said.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati also congratulated Yazigi.

In a telephone call Monday with Yazigi, Mikati voiced hope that the new patriarch succeeds
in spreading his message of forgiveness between the people of the region.
For his part, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea praised the election of a new patriarch
and said he is confident that Yazigi is a good successor for Hazim.
“We wish all the best for the Greek Orthodox Church and its members in Lebanon, the Arab
world and the world,” Geagea said in a statement.
“I wish you success and I reiterate my confidence in your national and humanitarian role,”
Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi said in a congratulatory letter.
His Beatitude Patriarch-Elect Youhanna X of Antioch and All the East

~~ Many Years! ~~



The Daily Star -10/12/2012



BEIRUT: Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch Ignatius IV Hazim’s body was
taken to Damascus Sunday, after Divine Liturgy at Beirut’s St. Nicolas Cathedral.
In the Syrian capital, hundreds of faithful flocked to the Mariamite Cathedral to bid farewell
to the man who served as patriarch for 33 years.
Hazim, who was born in the Hama village of Mhardeh, will be buried in Damascus Monday.
He died last week after suffering a stroke at the age of 92.
In the liturgy attended by President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati,
archbishops and representatives of Orthodox churches from around the world said prayers
for Hazim in the crowded Beirut church.
Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai and a number of other religious figures also took part in
Sunday’s Mass.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced Sunday as an official day of mourning for the
patriarch.
During the ceremony at
St. Nicolas Cathedral,
Sleiman, who has
praised Hazim for his
moderation and
wisdom, awarded the
patriarch the National
Medal of the Cedar.
Many officials, who
offered their
condolences to
Lebanon’s Greek
Orthodox community
and to Hazim’s family,
also described the
patriarch as a man of moderation.
“Lebanon bids you farewell with pain,” Sleiman said in his speech. “There is pain because
the sources of faith in this country will miss your wisdom and valuable love.
“On this day of farewell, I place this national symbol on your coffin. You will remain deeply
rooted in our hearts and minds forever,” he added, placing the medal on Hazim’s casket.


Kirill I, Russian Orthodox patriarch of Moscow and all the Rus’, praised Hazim, saying that
he was one of the most influential Christian leaders of the world.
“Today we pay our respect and honor to the oldest among us in the Orthodox Church,” Kirill
said.
“Patriarch Hazim had a big role in the church given his deep understanding of philosophy
and theology, and his work in spreading the word of the Bible,” Kirill added.
Kirill added that Patriarch Hazim always stood by the principle of coexistence during his
service in the church.
“The patriarch always defended the principle of peaceful coexistence between different
religions and cultures and greatly contributed to peace in the Middle East when countries
were falling into a cycle of violence,” Kirill said.
Hazim, a student of philosophy, graduated from the American University of Beirut in 1945.
In 1971, Hazim was appointed Orthodox metropolitan of the Syrian city of Latakia. In 1979,
at the height of Lebanon’s devastating Civil War, Hazim was appointed patriarch of the
Levant and the Antioch.

~~ Memory Eternal ~~





Tuesday 4 December 2012


December 2012

The Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity

 

The cycle starts with a fast of forty days that precedes the feast. It is called the Nativity fast or

Advent. For the faithful, it is a time to purify both soul and body to enter properly into and

partake of the great spiritual reality of Christ's Coming, much like the preparation for the fast

of the Lord's Resurrection.

The beginning of the fast on November 15 is not liturgically marked by any hymns, but five

days later, on the eve of the Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos, we hear the first

announcement from the nine "Irmoi" of the Christmas Canon: "Christ is born, glorify Him!"

This period includes other special preparatory days announcing the approaching Nativity: St

Andrew's Day, November 30; St Nicholas Day, December 6; the Sunday of the Forefathers; and

the Sunday of the Fathers.

December 20th begins the Forefeast of the Nativity. The liturgical structure is similar to

the Holy Week preceding Pascha. The Orthodox Church sees the birth of the Son of God as the

beginning of the saving ministry which will lead Him, for the sake of man’s salvation, to the

ultimate sacrifice of the Cross.

On the eve of the Nativity, the Royal Hours are read and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the

Great is served with Vespers. At these services the Old Testament prophecies of Christ's birth

are chanted.

The Vigil of Christmas begins with Great Compline because Vespers has already been served. At

Compline there is the singing of the Troparion and Kontakion of the feast with special hymns

glorifying the Saviour's birth. There are also the special long litanies of intercession and the

solemn blessing of the five loaves of bread together with the wheat, wine, and oil. The faithful

partake of the bread soaked in the wine and are also anointed with the oil. This part of the

festal vigil, which is done on all great feasts, is called in Slavonic the litya and in

Greek artoklasia, or the breaking of the bread.

The order of Matins is that of a great feast. Here, for the first time, the full Canon "Christ is

born," is sung while the faithful venerate the Nativity icon.

Concluding the celebration of the Nativity of Christ is the Liturgy. It begins with psalms of

glorification and praise instead of the three normal Antiphons. The troparion and kontakion

mark the entrance with the Book of the Gospels. The baptismal line from Galatians 3:27 once

again replaces the Thrice-Holy. The Epistle reading is from Galatians 4:4-7, the Gospel reading

is the familiar Christmas story from Matthew (2:1-12), and then the liturgy continues in the

normal fashion.

December 2012 at Audley and Dresden


         December 2012 at Audley and Dresden

 



         At St. Michael’s, Audley, ST7 8EN

 

Wed. 5th 11am Divine Liturgy.

Wed. 12th 11am Divine Liturgy.

Wed. 19th  11am Divine Liturgy.

Mon. 24th 11am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil.

Wed. 26th No service.



At the Church of the Holy Resurrection, Red Bank, Dresden, ST3 4PD

 

Every Sat. 6pm Great Vespers.

Every Sun. 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy.

        Tues. 25th 10.30am Divine Liturgy of the Holy Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

 

Name days

 13th Andrew Robinson (OS)

23rd Jonathan Bartholomew; Sarah Griffiths.

27th Stephanie Giselle Ayoub; Stefan Kinnersley.

30th Joseph Clive.

Reposed

7th Deacon John Mark (2007)

Dates for year 2013:

Jan    5th/6th        Theophany (Remember to book house
                               blessings from the 7th)

Feb   2nd               Meeting of the Lord in the Temple

Mar   10th             Meatfare Sunday

17th             Cheesefare Sunday

18th             Beginning of the Great Fast

24th             Sunday of Holy Orthodoxy

Apr    7th               Third Sunday - Adoration of the Holy Cross

20th             Spring Fair

27th             Lazarus Saturday

28th             Sunday of the Palms

29th             Beginning of Great and Holy Week

May  1st               Annointing Service of Holy Wednesday

2nd               Holy Thursday

3rd               Holy Friday

4th/5th        Pascha (Feast in Dresden Scout Hall 2-4 am)

NO FASTING UNTIL ASCENSION DAY

Jun    13th             Ascension Day

23rd             Pentecost (Fast free week)

Jul     13th             Matthew and Kayleigh church wedding

21st             after Liturgy, Parish Meeting and election of Church Council Trustees

Aug   1st               Beginning of the Dormition Fast

3rd                        Ilam Pilgrimage

6th               Transfiguration

15th             Dormition

Sep          

Oct    5th               Holywell pilgrimage

Nov   2nd               Autumn Fair

9th               Parish feast Dresden Scout Hall

15th             Beginning of the Nativity Fast

Dec   25th             Christmas Day is on Wednesday

 

Times will be confirmed in the monthly newsletters

available at the back of church

and online at www.stmichaels-audley.org.uk

 

P.T.O.>>>>

 
 
 
Would you please consider donating unwanted Christmas gifts for the fairs?

Would any budding artists or people with needlecraft, woodwork, confectionery skills etc. consider making items to sell at the fairs?

We raised over £1000 in 2012 and had a lovely day.

Please join in, any help is appreciated and of infinitely more use than criticism!

Would anyone like to organise a Greek/Romanian/Russian/Arabic evening with food, music and entertainment?

It could be a wonderful social evening and raise funds for the Parish.

Would you please contact one of the Trustees if you can offer any help towards events:

Trustees

 

Fr. Samuel                              01782 351044    samuel.carter@ntlworld.com

 

Joseph Clive Amson              01782 391145

 

Winifride Carson          01782 319943    cheekycarson@ntlworld.com

 

Isaac Norman Davies            01782 615686

 

Veronica Dobson                   01782 238135

 

John Roger Makings              01782 206643

 

John Hugh Maxfield              01270 875608    hughandimogen@btinternet.com

 

Reader Martin Shorthose     01782 721146    treacleshouse@fastmail.com

(Treasurer)

 

Jan Penn-Jones                      01782 646567    jjwarrilow@hotmail.com

Friday 2 November 2012

Services in November 2012 at Audley and Dresden


(Audley and Dresden)

Sat 3rd 12noon to 3pm – Parish Lunch in Dresden Scout Hall
6pm Great Vespers
Sun 4th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Tue 6th 7:30pm Meeting of the Trustees at Sparch Hollow
Wed 7th No Morning Service at Audley
7pm Great Vespers and Artoklasia for the Feast of the Synaxis of the
Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the Bodiless Powers (at
Dresden)
Thu 8th 11am Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels
Michael and Gabriel and all the Bodiless Powers (at Audley)
Sat 10th 3.30pm Marriage of Jan and Edwin
6pm Panakhida and Great Vespers
Sun 11th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 14th 11am Divine Liturgy
***** Thursday 15th – Beginning of the Nativity Fast *****
Sat 17th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 18th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Tue 20th 7pm Great Vespers of the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy
Theotokos into the Temple
Wed 21st 11am Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy
Theotokos into the Temple
Sat 24th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 25th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 28th 11am Divine Liturgy

Name days
3rd Winifred Carson
8th Deacon Cyprian Mihai; Gabriel and Gabriela Aldea; Gabriela Bostan
11th Reader Martin
13th Ioannes Harvey
14th Philip Boothby
16th Matthew Carson; Matthew Cooke
20th Reader Edmund
30th Andre Ayoub; Andrew Davidchack; Andrew Onofrei

Memory Eternal




The body of the Greek Orthodox Priest Fr. Fadi Jamil Haddad, pastor of the church of St.
Elias in Qatana, was found today in the Jaramana neighborhood (north of Damascus)
not far from the place where he was kidnapped, on October 19, by unidentified armed
group. This was confirmed to the Fides News Agency by Fr. Haddad’s Greek Orthodox
confrere, who asked for anonymity. "His body was horribly tortured and his eyes
gouged out," he told Fides. "It is a purely terrorist act. Fr. Haddad is a martyr of our
church. "
With regards to the responsibilities of the terrible act there is an ongoing rebound of
responsibilities between the opposition forces and government authorities, that accuse
the armed gangs of armed rebellion in the army. According to Fides sources, the
kidnappers had asked the priest’s family and his church a ransom of 50 million Syrian
pounds (over 550 thousand euro). It was, however, impossible to find the money and
meet this exorbitant demand. A source of Fides condemns "the terrible practice,
present for months in this dirty war, of kidnapping and then killing innocent civilians."
Among the various Christian communities in Syria, the Greek Orthodox is the largest
(with about 500 thousand faithful) and is concentrated mainly in the western part of
the country and in Damascus. (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2012)
Lord Have Mercy
Please remember Fr Fadi Jamil Haddad in your prayers together with all our
brothers and sisters in Syria and Lebanon
Our Deanery continues to collect money to help the people of Syria ~
there is a collection box at the back of church
Please give all you can

Marriage in the Orthodox Church



Married life, no less than monastic life, is a special vocation, requiring a particular
gift from the Holy Spirit, a gift bestowed in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The
same Trinitarian mystery of ‘unity in diversity’ applies to the doctrine of marriage as it
does to the Church. The family created by this sacrament is a small church.
The Orthodox Church teaches that man is made in the image of the Trinity, and he is
not intended by God to live alone, but in a family, except in special cases. And just as
God blessed the first family, commanding Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply,
so the Church now gives its blessing to the union of man and woman. The mystery of
marriage, in the Church, gives a man and a woman the possibility to become one
spirit and one flesh in a way which no human love can provide by itself. The Holy
Spirit is given so that what has begun on earth is fulfilled and continues most
perfectly in the Kingdom of God.


The Marriage Service
For the Orthodox Christian, the marriage service (wedding) is the Church's formal
recognition of the couple's unity, a created image of God's love which is eternal,
unique, indivisible and unending. The early Church simply witnessed the couple's
expression of mutual love in the Church, and their union was blessed by their mutual
partaking of the Holy Eucharist.
When a marriage service developed in the Church, it was patterned after the service
for baptism and chrismation. The couple is addressed in a way similar to that of the
individual in baptism. They confess their faith and their love of God. They are led into
the Church in procession. They are prayed over and blessed. They listen to God's
Word.
The service contains no vows or oaths. It is, in essence, the "baptising and
confirming" of human love in God by Christ in the Holy Spirit. It is the deification of
human love in the divine perfection and unity of the eternal Kingdom of God as
revealed and given to man in the Church. There is no "legalism" in the Orthodox
sacrament of marriage. It is not a juridical contract, it is a spiritual bond.


The marriage service is divided into two parts, in earlier times held separately, but
now celebrated together.


Office of Betrothal
At the Betrothal service, the chief ceremony is the blessing and exchange of rings.


The rings are blessed by the priest in the name of the Father, of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The couple then exchange the
rings, taking the bride's ring and placing it on the groom's finger
and vice-versa. Then they exchange them again, symbolizing that
each spouse will constantly be complementing and enriching the
other by the union. This is also an outward symbol that the two
are joined in marriage of their own free will and consent.


Office of crowning
The second part of the service is the ceremony of coronation, in which the heads of
the bridegroom and bride are crowned by the priest. In the Russian tradition, the
crowns are gold or silver, while the Greek tradition uses
crowns of leaves and flowers.
The crowns are crowns of joy, but also crowns of
martyrdom, since marriage involves a self-sacrifice on
both sides.
At the end of the service the newly married couple drink
from the same cup of wine. This common cup is a symbol of the fact that after this
they will share a common life with one another. This also recalls the miracle at the
marriage feast of Cana in Galilee.






Tuesday 2 October 2012



Services in October 2012 at Audley and Dresden


Wed 3rd 11am Divine Liturgy
Sat 6th Holywell Pilgrimage (see inside) – No Parish Service
Sun 7th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 10th 11am Divine Liturgy
Sat 13th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 14th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 17th 11am Divine Liturgy
Sat 20th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 21st 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 24th 11am Divine Liturgy
Sat 27th 6pm Great Vespers
Sun 28th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy
Wed 31st 11am Divine Liturgy

Name days
2nd David Ciprian Badin
9th James Sanders
12th Wilfred; Edwin
18th Dr. Luke Joy
23rd Jacovos Harvey
26th Claudiu
28th Terence
Reposed
19th Metropolitan Gabriel 2007

Practical Tips for Practicing Orthodoxy in Our Daily Lives

  •  Prayers are said morning and evening, either together as a family or individually.
  •  A blessing (grace) is said by the head of the family before a meal, and a prayer of
  • thanksgiving afterwards.
  •  On entering a room where there is an icon, cross yourself before it and say a brief
  • prayer.
  •  When leaving your home, make the sign of the cross over the door and pray for its
  • protection.
  •  On seeing a priest or even when phoning them or writing to them, always ask for a
  • blessing.
  •  Before going to bed, make the sign of the cross over it and pray for protection during
  • sleep.
  •  When you hear of anyone’s death, immediately say a prayer for their eternal
  • memory.
  •  If discussing or planning the future say: “As God wills.”
  •  If you offend or hurt anyone, say as soon as possible, “Forgive me,” always trying to
  • take the blame yourself.
  •  If something turns out well, say “Praise be to God.”
  •  If something turns out badly; if there is pain, sickness or any kind of trouble, say
  • “Praise be to God for all things,” since God is all good and, though we might not
  • understand the purpose of these things, undoubtedly they have been permitted by
  • God.
  •  If you begin some task, say, “God help me,” or if someone else is working: “May God
  • help you,” (How sad that this expression is so perverted in the modern exclamation
  • “God help you!”).
  •  Cross yourself and say a brief prayer before even the shortest journey by car.
  •  For a longer and more difficult journey, ask a priest to sing a Moleben, failing that, at
  • home say the troparion and kontakion for a journey.
  •  If there is a possibility of future trouble of any kind, either for yourself or for
  • someone you care for, say an Akathist to the Mother of God.
  •  When you receive a blessing after prayer, always remember to thank God; if it a small
  • thing, you may add a prayer of thanksgiving to your daily prayers or make an offering.
  • For matters of greater importance, ask the priest to serve the Thanksgiving Moleben.
  • But NEVER neglect to give thanks.
  • Mother Pelagia of Lesna Convent
  • Published by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
  • December 2004


Extracts from the Report of the Anglican Archdeacon of Stoke on Trent to the Diocesan
Registrar of the Diocese of Lichfield at the end of the Faculty year
(A legal requirement to show our compliance with Faculty jurisdiction and the terms of the Lease)

The church is indeed being used for public worship. The members of the Orthodox
congregation are in good heart and have recently taken on seven additional families with
resulting baptisms and weddings!
In general terms the building is being very well looked after. Indeed I would say that the
building is considerably improved on what it was 12 months ago. Some basic repairs have
been undertaken, a considerable amount of damp has been dealt with.
More than this, an expert in Minton tiles (Carr Restoration) has become involved. They
have offered free labour to undertake this very specialised work on these very special
Minton tiles.
Now that carpeting has been removed and the problems of damp dealt with they are in the
process of carrying out significant improvements on these tiles not only in the chancel but
also in the nave (like for like repair).
The result of removing some of the pews in the choir has been that they are lowering the
floor to tile level rather than raising it by the addition of a wooden platform. The effect is
very pleasing.
The iconostasis was duly constructed and put in place for Christmas. Since then it has been
both stained an appropriate colour and decorated with Orthodox Icons. The communion
rail works well as a cresting to the screen.
The south altar has been re-sited.
The pulpit and the lectern are placed in the north aisle appropriately.
Before they moved out, the PCC sold the three westerly pews and some of the choir
furniture from the chancel has been placed there in its stead. The floor appears to be in
good condition and does not at the moment constitute a priority for any work.
The Bishop’s chair has been placed in the nave on a small raised platform. One of the
clergy desks is now used as the Bishop’s seat in the chancel.
The proposed glazed screen is a long term project and will not be undertaken at the
moment.
It is likely that a revised design will in due course be proposed involving a more solid
structure with glazed doors. (The more interesting and more important issue is that the
Orthodox would like to create around the walls of this room at the west of the church a
history of the Church of the Resurrection displaying diagrams, photographs and other
memorabilia to indicate its Anglican heritage. I am very impressed about this element in

the care being offered by the Orthodox congregation, building on but not denying its
Anglican past. Jane Corfield at the City of Stoke conservation department is equally
impressed and grateful).
A major financial expenditure to date has been to introduce polycarbonate protection for
the west window thus allowing the anti-vandalism boarding (which has covered up the
window for the last quarter of a century) to be removed. This instantly allows daylight to
pour into the church and also takes away the impression given to local people that the
church was in fact derelict.
This has coincided with the City Council taking over the care of the churchyard. This latter
is now beautifully maintained.
The overall effect therefore (combined with a daily search for any litter in the churchyard
carried out over the last 2 years by a member of the orthodox congregation) means that
the place looks in excellent condition.
They have pointed the chimney by the door into the back vestry and kitchen. This has
prevented water accumulating on the floor. With the removal of carpets and other
materials, the building is now drying out. This in turn has removed some unpleasant odours
from that part of the building.
In due course they hope to replace some of the Victorian rolled glass in the west window.
This no longer made in England but in Poland where exact replication can be obtained.
However the cost will be considerable and the church does not have the funds at the
moment to do this work (The NSHCT funded the existing work mentioned above).
There is a certain amount of woodworm in the building and this is requiring continual
checking.
The organ vestry: there are a number of artificial organ pipes which they propose to attach
to the north wall of the church as a possible decorative feature. As an alternative to
replacing them in their previous position this is worthy of consideration.
I note with interest that much of the work they have done has been offered free of labour
charges… including the iconostasis.
Conclusion
I am in contact with the church architect through whom I am given guidance about the
work before it is undertaken. My meeting with Father Samuel was thoroughly positive and
in summary I think the church is in very good hands. Their preferred next piece of work
would be to clean the interior of the church building, but again this is a matter currently
beyond their financially ability.


SAINT EDWIN, MARTYR-KING OF NORTHUMBRIA – 12th October
St. Edwin was the second Christian king in England, and the first in the northern
English kingdom of Northumbria. He was born in 584 into the royal family of Deira,
and spent much of his early life in Wales and East Anglia, fleeing from King Ethelfrith
of Northumbria. He married Cwenburga of Mercia, by whom he had two sons. In 616,
with the help of King Redwald of East Anglia, his host in exile, Edwin defeated and
killed Ethelfrith at the battle of the
River Idle, and became king of
Northumbria. After the death of
Cwenburga, he sought the hand of
Ethelburga, a Christian princess
from Kent. His suit was initially
rejected, but then accepted on
condition that Ethelburga was
allowed to practice her own religion
and that Edwin would seriously
consider becoming a Christian. In
625 St. Paulinus was consecrated
bishop and sent to York as
Ethelburga’s chaplain. Edwin
thought long and carefully before
becoming a Christian. He received a
letter of encouragement from Pope

Boniface, and he was astounded when St. Paulinus displayed clairvoyance concerning
a mysterious vision that Edwin had had some years before. But he still insisted on
consulting with his chief men about the matter. At this meeting Coifi, the chief pagan
Priest, confessed his conversion to the new religion, and even took the initiative in
destroying his pagan idols. Inspired by this example, King Edwin, his nobles and a
large number of the poorer people agreed to be baptised by the holy bishop in York
at Pascha, 627. Under the leadership of Saints Edwin and Paulinus, the conversion of
the north of England to the Christian faith proceeded apace. Moreover, St. Edwin
acquired extensive territories in Scotland (the Scottish capital of Edinburgh is named
after him), in the West (Anglesey and Man) and even in the south, becoming the
overlord of the southern kingdoms except Kent. The Venerable Bede writes: “So
peaceful was it in those parts of Britain under King Edwin’s jurisdiction that the
proverb still runs that a woman could carry her new-born babe across the island from
sea to sea without any fear of harm. Such was the king’s concern for the welfare of
his people that in a number of places where he had noticed clear springs adjacent to
the highway he ordered posts to be erected with brass bowls hanging from them, so
that travellers could drink and refresh themselves. And so great was the people’s
affection for him, and so great the awe in which he was held, that no one wished or
ventured to use these bowls for any other purpose. So royally was the king’s dignity
maintained throughout the realm that whether in battle or on a peaceful progress on
horseback through city, town, and countryside in the company of his thegns, the
royal standard was always borne before him.“ However, the British Christian King
Cadwalla of Wales rebelled against him, and, combining with the pagan King Penda of
Mercia, defeated and killed King Edwin on October 12, 633 at the battle of Hatfield.
His sons Osfrid and Eadfrid were also killed. The site of the battle is said to have been
near Doncaster. However, according to another tradition, it took place in Sherwood
forest, Nottinghamshire. There, in a clearing in the forest, he was secretly buried. By
the time his friends had returned to collect the body for a proper royal burial in York,
people were calling him St. Edwin. A small wooden chapel was erected on the spot
where he was first buried, which is now in the town of Edwinstowe.“The head of King
Edwin,” writes Bede, “was carried to York and subsequently placed in the church of
the blessed Apostle Peter, which he had begun to build, but which his successor
Oswald completed…”
St. Edwin is commemorated on October 12.
Holy Martyr-King Edwin, pray to God for us!



                 Saint Cainnech – 11th October
Saint Cainnech of Aghaboe, known as Saint Kenneth in Scotland (and
affectionately called Saint Kenny by locals) was an abbot
and a scholar. He is said to be one of the original twelve
apostles of Ireland sent out under the blessing of Saint
Finnian. The twelve were Ciaran of Saighir, Cairan of
Clonmacnoise, Brendan of Birr, Brendan of Clonfert,
Columba of Terryglass, Columba of Iona, Mobhi of
Glasnevin, Ruadan of Lorrha, Senan of Iniscathay, Ninnidh
of Loch Erne, Laserian of Leighlin and Cainnech (or Canice)
of Aghaboe. Saint Canice’s feast day is on 11th October and
he is the patron saint of the city of Kilkenny.
Unlike his friend and companion Saint Columba, Saint Canice did not guard an impressive copy of the scriptures, but he did write two important commentaries on the Gospels. One of these commentaries became nicknamed the Chain of Cainnech and was considered to be one of the most important commentaries inBritain, Scotland and Ireland right up into the
Middle Ages. Although he founded numerous
monasteries both in Scotland and Ireland, his
settlement at Aghaboe was to become the most
important. Some tales connected with him talk of
his love for nature and his gifted style of
preaching. He seems to have favoured a very
stark form of monasticism that can be seen
elsewhere in Ireland. He is said to have been
responsible for the building of monastic cells on
the islands of Eninnis and Ibdon and on the
shores of Loch Laggan (the remains can still be
seen at this spot). In his old age he retired to a
hermits life that he seemed to favour and spent
his last remaining days in prayer in a cell on the
island of Loch Cree.


There are quite a number of strange tales connected to Saint Canice. One such tale tells of how he loved retiring to a solitary existence in the forests to pursue his work on the Gospel commentaries. Here he was so still and focused on his work that the deer became easy in his presence; so at ease that he was able to balance his manuscripts in their antlers!
                   

                           In honour thou dost rank with Ireland’s Enlightener,
                     O Lover of the Desert, great Teacher of the sacred scripture,
                     Father of Monks and Founder of Monasteries, O blessed Cainnech.
                     Labouring for Christ in both thy native land and farthest shores,
                    Thou art a tireless intercessor for the faithful.
             Pray for us who hymn thee, that despite our frailty we may be granted great mercy.

Monday 27 August 2012

September 2012 at Audley and Dresden



Sat 1st 6pm Great Vespers

Sun 2nd 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy

Wed 5th 11am Divine Liturgy

Fri 7th 7pm Great Vespers at Palfrey (Walsall) for the Nativity of the

All-holy Theotokos

Sat 8th 9am Divine Liturgy at Palfrey (Walsall) for the Nativity of the All-holy Theotokos

Sat 8th 6pm Great Vespers

Sun 9th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy

Wed 12th 11am Divine Liturgy

Thu 13th 6pm Great Vespers

Fri 14th 11am Divine Liturgy

Sat 15th 6pm Great Vespers

Sun 16th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy

Wed 19th 11am Divine Liturgy

Thu 20th 8pm Study Group (at Saint Michael’s Church)

Sat 22nd 6pm Great Vespers

Sun 23rd 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy

Wed 26th 11am Divine Liturgy

Thu 27th 8pm Study Group (at Saint Michael’s Church)

Sat 29th 6pm Great Vespers

Sun 30th 10am Matins; 11am Divine Liturgy

Name Days

5th Emma Louise Elizabeth Bostan

8th Francesca Joy

9th Anna Bartholomew

17th Sofia Bartholomew; Sofia Wilcox

24th Thecla Read

26th Metropolitan John; John Roger Makings; John Martin Chadwick

Reposed

3rd Leon (2010)

24th Fr Dennis (2010)

Patronal Feast

14th Holy Cross, Lancaster

Pilgrimages

Sat 8th September Lastingham