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
December 2025 Services | |
Saturday 29 November | Great Vespers, 4:30pm St Martin’s Church |
Sunday 30 November | 25 Pentecost. Holy Apostle Andrew the First Called. Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:30am, St Martin’s Church. |
Thursday 4 December | Great Martyr Barbara | Hours & Holy Liturgy, from 8:15am, St Helen’s Chapel |
Saturday 6 December | Great Vespers, 4:30pm St Martin’s Church |
Sunday 7 December | 26 Pentecost. St Ambrose Bishop of Milan. Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:30am, St Martin’s Church |
Friday 12 December | St Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bishop of Tremithus. Hours & Holy Liturgy, from 8:15am, St Helen’s Chapel |
Saturday 13 December | Great Vespers, 4:30pm St Martin’s Church |
Sunday 14 December | 27 Pentecost. Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:30am, St Martin’s Church |
Monday 15 December | Hieromartyr Eleutherius, Bishop of Illyria and his mother Martyr Anthea. Hours & Holy Liturgy, from 8:15am, St Helen’s Chapel |
Saturday 20 December | Great Vespers, 4:30pm St Martin’s Church |
Sunday 21 December | 28 Pentecost. Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ; Commemoration of all the Righteous who pleased God, from Adam down to Joseph, the Betrothed of the Theotokos. Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:30am, St Martin’s Church |
Wednesday 24 December Christmas Eve | Eve of the Nativity of Christ. Royal Hours 9:00am, St Martin’s Church. Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil the Great 4:30pm, St Martin’s Church. |
Thursday 25 December Christmas Day | The Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Hours and Holy Liturgy, followed by carols, from 9:15, St Martin’s Church. |
Saturday 27 December | Great Vespers, 4:30pm St Martin’s Church |
Sunday 28 December | 29 Pentecost. Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, James the Brother of God. Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:30am, St Martin’s Church |
+Confessions on Saturday evenings after Great Vespers or by appointment.+ | |