Our Faith
Our parish is here to support you and your family at every stage of life, offering the sacraments and services that guide us in faith, mark life’s milestones and strengthen our connection with Christ and His Church.
Below is an overview of the main services we provide, along with guidance on how to arrange them. These services are usually bilingual, in both English and Greek
Newborns
We celebrate and bless new life according to the traditions of the Orthodox Church:
- At birth: Special prayers are said for the mother and newborn, asking for God's blessing and protection as a new child enters the world.
- 8 days old: A special prayer is read over the baby on the 8th day at the entrance of the church. On this day the child receives his or her name and is introduced into the body of Christ.
- 40 days old: The Church celebrates the Presentation and Blessing, marking the child’s first entry into the temple of God, a thanksgiving for the new life, and a blessing for the mother's recovery.
Catechumens
In our Church, Catechumens are those who want to become Orthodox Christians.
This needs to be taken very seriously and not done out of convenience. We do ask they contact their local parish priest to guide them into this significant and blessed decision. He will direct them to do a catechism course and will be there for them to follow up with any questions they may have. As a Church we pray for them in every Holy Liturgy that God would enlighten them. After a period of learning, prayer and repentance, then in consultation with their Parish Priest, they decide to be received into the Church with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios. This whole process will take at least 6 months.
- Those who have never been baptised will need to be baptised and anointed with the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Holy Chrism)
- Those who have already been baptised in a recognised Christian denomination will only have to be anointed with the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Holy Chrism)
Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation into the Orthodox Church, welcoming a child or adult into the life of Christ. In Baptism one is called to leave his/her sinful self aside and to accept Christ into one’s life. This places them in God’s Grace. Their Christian journey begins through the intercessions of the Angels, the Mother of God and all the Saints.
- Baptisms are usually celebrated on Saturdays at a time convenient and on Sundays from 12:00pm onwards.
- Godparents must be canonical Orthodox Christians and their Baptismal certificate must be presented prior to the service. We should choose a godparent who is a practicing Christian. There is only one godparent and one name for a child. The name should be associated with a Saint. This means the child can celebrate their guardian Saint on their name day. As Christians we should emphasise our birth into Christ which is at our name day more than our physical birthday.
- Allow approximately 1 hour for the service and greetings.
Holy Liturgy - Eucharist - Communion
The Holy Liturgy is the gathering together of the faithful as one body in Christ. It is the Sacraments of Sacraments. It is here we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our Lord himself instituted this at the Last Supper before his Crucifixion where He took bread, blessed it, and gave it to his disciples, and said this is my body which is given for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Then He took the cup, blessed it, and said this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins, drink from it all of you.
The Holy Liturgy is at the centre of our life as Christians. We prepare for Holy Communion with prayer, fasting and repentance. We approach in deep humility asking forgiveness from God and from one another.
Weddings
A wedding in the Christian Orthodox Church is a sacred union of a man and woman and a joyful sacrament of love to eternity. It is a “great mystery” says St Paul.
- At least one month prior, couples are asked to complete all civil and church paperwork with the priest marrying them.
- Weddings are not permitted during major fasting periods - please consult your parish priest prior to booking any reception.
- Participation in marriage preparation seminars is encouraged to strengthen your life together.
- If only one partner is Orthodox, the other must belong to a recognized canonical Christian faith.
- Orthodox Christians who have not been married before need to present or request from their local priest a single status certificate (“agamias”). If married previously they need to present divorce papers.
- Allow approximately 1 hour for the service and greetings with family and guests.
- We ask that the couples and their bridal party, together with their photographers etc, be respectful in their manner and dress code for the service.
Confession
Confession is an important part of progress in spiritual life and is available by appointment with Fr Constantine or other Confessors designated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios.
Parishioners are encouraged to prepare with prayer and reflection, receiving spiritual guidance and absolution in the sacrament of repentance. We are all encouraged to have a Spiritual Father to guide us and help us in life’s journey
Holy Unction
This is the healing Sacrament in the church. The letter of St James in the New Testament says: “Is any among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”
This Sacrament is well known when we do it on Holy Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Pascha. We also do it on other occasions at the Church and at the faithful’s homes when the need arises.
Funerals
The Orthodox Funeral Service is an amazing poetic prayer for the deceased with family and friends gathering to pray with the clergyman for the person who has fallen asleep in the Lord. Funerals are arranged in collaboration with your parish priest, funeral director and cemetery. We only bury our loved ones in a grave. Also, a Eulogy is only given by the presiding clergy and not by family. Once buried the deceased awaits the second coming of our Lord where we will all be resurrected and judged accordingly. An indication of the transformation of our bodies even in this life, by God’s Grace, is the sweet smell that Saints relics often have. This is why we have a proper funeral service and burial as we await God’s grace and in His mercy our resurrection.
Memorial Services
We encourage prayers for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Memorial services may be requested by contacting Fr Constantine or speaking with a committee member. Please provide:
- The name and surname of the deceased
- Your name and contact phone number
- The cost for a memorial service is $80, payable on the day to the committee members at the back of the church.
- Parishioners are also encouraged to bring olive oil for the candelia (oil lamps), sweet wine (eg koumandaria) and the blessed bread (prosphoro). Also, if desired, biscuits, coffee and tea for coffee afterwards.
Agiasmo
Agiasmo (Blessing of the Water) is a sacred service in which water is blessed through prayer and the Cross, asking God to sanctify and bless those who are anointed with it or drink it, and to also bless the space in which we live. This service is often requested at the beginning of a new year, in a new home or workplace, or at important moments in life as we seek God’s grace, protection and peace.
Blessed Bread "Prosphoro", wine & names
Parishioners are to prepare blessed bread – prosphoro – at home. They may present this to the church with communion wine also. The prosphoro is prepared in a prayerful manner and is stamped with a seal on the top. This seal stamps the bread with a central large piece for Christ, then pieces for the Mother of God, the Angels and the Saints. These are then cut out and placed on a pattern (dish). Then the Priest reads the names of our Archbishop, all those who he would like to commemorate and all the names that have been brought for commemoration by our faithful with their prosphoro. This includes living and dead. The priest also prepares the holy chalice with sweet wine and water. For each name read, crumbs go onto the pattern, and all this goes into the Holy Chalice to be part of the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ to be given out at Holy Communion.
Artoklasias (Blessing of the Loaves)
Artoklasias are special blessings of bread, wine and oil, offered for health, thanksgiving and prayers for parishioners or loved ones. Usually, you do this on your name day. Parishioners are invited to bring 5 artos (bread), names of the living for prayers, oil and sweet wine for communion. The 5 breads may also be ordered from the Church or the local Greek bakery.