Welcome to our parish website. We are a large, diverse, and friendly community of Orthodox Christians from many different cultural backgrounds. Our services are in English, and everybody is welcome to come and experience them. (scroll down for service times)

We are part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland, which is under the Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East; we operate under the omophorion if His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan (Oner). You can find more information about our parish and clergy in the About pages, including a brief introduction on the beliefs of the Orthodox Christian faith, and FAQ. Our parish also runs a monthly newsletter, which can be found in the relevant page.

In early 2022, the parish purchased historic St Martin’s church in West Stockwell St, Colchester (CO1 1HN). There, most of our main services are held. We also operate the small, ancient chapel of St Helen, in St Helen’s Lane, Colchester (CO1 1UB), a mere 200 metres away.

Regular Service Times

Saturdays: Great Vespers 4:30pm St Martin’s Church
Sundays: Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:30am St Martin's Church

January 2026 Services

Saturday 3 January

Great Vespers | 4:30pm St Martin’s Church

Sunday 4 January

Matins & Divine Liturgy: Forefeast of Theophany, Sunday before Theophany 9:30am St Martin’s Church.

Tuesday 6 January

Hours & Divine Liturgy: THE THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, followed by The Great Sanctification of Water | 8:15am St Martin’s Church.

Saturday 10 January

Great Vespers | 4:30pm St Martin’s Church

Sunday 11 January

Matins & Divine Liturgy: Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ | 9:30 St Martin’s Church | Liturgy will be followed by Outdoor Blessing of Water - procession to nearby Middle Mill Bridge & River Colne.

Friday 16 January

Hours and Divine Liturgy: Veneration of the Precious Chains of St Peter | 8:15am St Helen’s Chapel.

Saturday 17 January

Great Vespers | 4:30pm St Martin’s Church.

Sunday 18 January

Matins & Divine Liturgy: Sunday of the Ten Lepers | 9:30 St Martin’s Church.

Thursday 22 January

Hours and Divine Liturgy: Holy Apostle Timothy | 8:15am St Helen’s Chapel

Saturday 24 January

Great Vespers | 4:30pm St Martin’s Church

Sunday 25 January

Matins & Divine Liturgy: Sunday of Zacchaeus | 9:30 St Martin’s Church

Friday 30 January

Hours and Divine Liturgy: Synaxis of the Three Holy Hierarchs | 8:15am St Helen’s Chapel