ENCOUNTER ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY IN THE HEART OF COLCHESTER

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)

Pascha at St Martin’s Church

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.

April Lenten Services through to Holy Pascha 2025

Wednesday 2 April
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6pm St Martin’s Church.
Friday 4 April
Salutations to the Theotokos (Akathist Hymn): Fifth Week, 6pm St Helen’s Chapel.
Saturday 5 April
Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church.
Sunday 6 April
Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, St Mary of Egypt. Holy Chrismation, followed by Hours and Holy Liturgy from 9.30 am St Martin’s Church.
Wednesday 9 April
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6pm St Martin’s Church.
Saturday 12 April
Lazarus Saturday, Great Vespers 4.30pm, St Martin’s Church.
Sunday 13 April
Entry of Our Lord Into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). Matins and Holy Liturgy from 9.45am St Martin’s Church.
Passion Week & Holy Pascha

14 April – 20 April – ALL SERVICES AT ST MARTIN’S

Great and Holy Monday
Bridegroom Matins (sung in anticipation of Holy Tuesday) 6pm.
Great and Holy Tuesday
Bridegroom Matins (sung in anticipation of Holy Wednesday) 6pm.
Great and Holy Wednesday
Service of Holy Anointing, 6pm.
Great and Holy Thursday
Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil 9:30am
The Twelve Passion Gospels 6pm.
Great and Holy Friday
Vespers & Deposition 12pm
Matins (Lamentations) & Procession 6pm.
Great and Holy Saturday
Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil 9:30am
Acts of the Apostles & Midnight Office from 10pm.
Holy Pascha – The Resurrection of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ
Holy Liturgy 1am
Agape Vespers 4.30pm

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

NB: If wishing to receive Holy Communion at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday evenings, the faithful should fast from 1pm onwards.

Regular Service Times

Saturdays: Great Vespers 4:30pm St Martin’s Church

Sundays: Matins & Holy Liturgy from 9:45am St Martins Church

Holy Marriage, Holy Baptism, funerals, memorials, etc by arrangement

Get in Touch

For inquiries about service times, confession or anything else please contact:

inquiries@orthodoxcolchester.org.uk

CLERGY

Parish Priest: Father Mark Shillaker.

T: 07917 161 295

Retired: The Very Reverend Father Archpriest Alexander Haig.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmartinsappeal

We have two temples in Colchester town centre:

St Martin’s Church,
West Stockwell Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1HN 

St Helen’s Chapel,
Maidenburgh Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1UB