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
Weekday Services for April-December 2026 | |
Thursday 23 April | Great Martyr George, Hours and Holy Liturgy, 8:10am, St Helen's Chapel |
Thursday 30 April | Holy Apostle James,Hours and Holy Liturgy, 8:10am, St Helen’s Chapel |
Wednesday 6 May | Mid Feast Pentecost, Hours and Holy Liturgy, 8:10am, St Helen's Chapel |
Monday 11 May | Holy Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius, 8:10am, St Helen's Chapel |
Thursday 21 May | Ascension of Our Lord (Ss Helen and Const, with relic following), 8:10am, St Helen's Chapel |
Saturday 30 May | Saturday of Souls, 9:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Friday 19 June | Holy Apostle Jude, 08:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Wednesday 24 June | Nativity of the Forerunner, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Monday 29 June | Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Tuesday 7 July | Great Martyr Kyriaki, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Friday 17 July | Great Martyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Wednesday 22 July | Holy Myrrh Bearer Mary Magdalene, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Thursday 6 August | Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen's Chapel |
Saturday 15 August | Dormition of the Theotokos, 9:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Saturday 29 August | Beheading of the Forerunner, 9:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Tuesday 1 September | Indiction: Church New Year, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Tuesday 8 September | Nativity of the Theotokos, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Monday 14 September | Exaltation of the Holy & life Giving Cross (with relic), 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Thursday 24 September | St Silouan and Holy Protomartyr Thecla, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Thursday 1 October | Protection of the Theotokos, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Wednesday 7 October | St Osyth, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Saturday 24 October | St Demetrius (Saturday of Souls), 9:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Monday 26 October | St Demetrius, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Wednesday 11 November | PATRONAL FEAST: Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Saturday 21 November | Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, 9:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Martin’s Church |
Wednesday 25 November | Great Martyr Catherine, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |
Wednesday 9 December | Conception of Theotokos by Righteous Anna, 8:30am, Hours and Holy Liturgy, St Helen’s Chapel |