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

Services September - October 2025

Friday 5 September

Prophet Zechariah & Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St John the Baptist. Hours & Holy Liturgy from 9:15, St Helen’s Chapel.

Saturday 6 September

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 7 September

13th Sunday after Pentecost. Sunday before The Exaltation of the Cross. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church. Parish AGM after Liturgy

Monday 8 September

Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos & Ever Virgin Mary. Hours & Holy Liturgy from 9.15am, St Helen’s Chapel.

Saturday 13 September

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 14 September

The Universal Exaltation of the Precious & Life Giving Cross. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church. Cross Procession and Church Council Meeting after Liturgy

Saturday 20 September

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 21 September

15th Sunday after Pentecost. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church.

Wednesday 24 September

Holy Great Martyr & Equal to the Apostles, Thecla Hours & Holy Liturgy from 9.15am, St Helen’s Chapel.

Saturday 27 September

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 28 September

16th Sunday after Pentecost. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church. Parish hosts pilgrimage from St George Antiochian Cathedral, London. Feast and fellowship after Liturgy.

Wednesday 1 October

The Protection of Our Most Lady the Mother of God & Ever Virgin Mary. Hours & Holy Liturgy from 8.15am, St Helen’s Chapel.

Saturday 4 October

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 5 October

17th Sunday after Pentecost. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church.

Saturday 11 October

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church No Vespers

Sunday 12 October

18th Sunday after Pentecost. Commemoration of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church.

Thursday 16 October

Martyr Longinus & St Gall. Hours & Holy Liturgy from 8.15am, St Helen’s Chapel.

Saturday 18 October

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 19 October

19th Sunday after Pentecost. St John of Kronstadt. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church.

Saturday 25 October

Saturday of Souls (in anticipation of the Feast of St Demetrios). Hours & Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church

Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church

Sunday 26 October

20th Sunday after Pentecost. Glorious Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh Flowing of Thessalonica. Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.30am, St Martin’s Church.

Wednesday 29 October

Martyr Anastasia. Hours & Holy Liturgy from 8.15am, St Helen’s Chapel.

Confessions usually on Saturday evenings after Great Vespers or by appointment.