St. Aidan's Orthodox Church

The Church Goes on (even though the building is closed!)

St Aidan’s will not suffer any reduction in its Life in Christ (including Holy Communion) just because a pathogen has reared its ugly head … but how do we do that safely? How is the parish continuing its life in lockdown?

If you are looking for the Study Notes Archive Link, see item 10.

1. The church building has closed to ensure PHYSICAL distancing.  However, in Christ and the Holy Spirit we are never distant from each other.  Today we have wonderful technologies to make that real!
2. Broadcasting the Services: Each Sunday and on some other days, Fr Gregory is serving the Liturgy from home.  This is being broadcast on social media, live and recorded.  Other services will be broadcast as announced in the Calendar of Services (below)
3. Holy Communion – Read St Basil the Great here on how you can commune at home: St Basil the Great, Letter 93 (to Caesaria). All of this is explained in much more detail in our brochure which you can download from this link: The-Domestic Church (Provisions and Instructions for the Sacraments), 3rd Edition (3rd June 2020).
4. Here are the instructions to watch the Sunday Liturgy, live or recorded:

   Divine Liturgy Broadcasting Guide and Instructions.

5. The faithful of this parish are communing with the priest, albeit not in the same building.  This is the body of Christ (both the Holy Gifts and the People), utterly one … which no pathogen can defeat because Christ is triumphant over sin, suffering, evil and death and in His Love, His People can never be separated from each other in this life or the next.
6. There are four Sector ministries of the “Domestic Church” going forward:- The Spiritual Directory (Broadcast services and prayer); The Pastoral Directory (Confession, Spiritual Direction and friendly chats over the phone); The Education Directory (Published Bible Studies, All Age Christian Education including E-Quip and Followers) and The Mission and Service Directory (evangelism and service in the community – within public health regulations).  These may take some time to develop and mature, but by God’s grace, we will get there!  If you can help with any of these, or make use of them, please email me at: father.gregory@gmail.com
7. For those who give to the work of our church by envelopes (which is ongoing) … this method is cancelled for the duration of the pandemic.  Please consider setting up a bank standing order to continue your contributions.  This will be much appreciated.  Please email me at father.gregory@gmail.com for the Bank details you will need.  Thank you.
8. Please do read this excellent, informative and personally challenging article by Fr Emmanuel: Facing Reality
9. It is vitally important that all of us can be better informed about the SCIENCE of this pandemic in an easy to understand format.  Please follow my guide and resources for this, including how scientific research and faith complement each other.  Corona Virus – the Science
10. We invite you to follow Fr Gregory’s Vlog Broadcasts (4pm GMT/BST on Tuesdays and Fridays) on his Facebook Timeline.  The Study Materials that accompany most broadcasts are to be found here: Study Archive Page.
11. If you want to see what books we have for sale (bank pay and collect) see here: – Bookstore Stock for Sale
12. Here’s a great inspirational Guide from Fr Emmanuel on: – Living with the Lord and the Pandemic
13. More from Fr Emmanuel – in my opinion, the best science and the best theology! (Fr Gregory)  Covid-19 Facing a Pandemic with Love, Resilience and Vaccines.
14. From 13th June 2020 some churches will be opening for private prayer.  Here is why we won’t:
    Private Prayer Visits Information (Edition 2 -12th June 2020)
15. Government Regulations for Opening Churches for Private Prayer (12th June 2020)
16. Why we are not opening for services on the 4th July.
17. Government Guidance for Churches wishing to open for services from 4th July 2020.
18. The Metropolitan’s Instruction for Parishes wishing to open for Services from 4th July 2020.
19. Why Cannot We Go Back to St Aidan’s just yet (July 2020) – The Final Chapter.