We are part of the Orthodox Church worldwide, (more commonly known as Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc). Our mother Church is in the Middle East in Syria and Lebanon (Patriarchate of Antioch - Acts 11:26) but we are not an Arab language parish since English is used in all our services.
We extend a warm welcome to all people (Orthodox or not) to attend our services and experience our community life. Services are as follows (but if you want to come on a Saturday evening, check first on 07780 970884).
Saturdays: 5.00 pm: Great Vespers (Evening Service - Psalms, Hymns, Prayers, usually Old Testament reading).
Sundays: 9.15 am: Matins (Morning Service - Psalms, Hymns, Prayers, Resurrection Gospel)
10.15 am: Divine Liturgy (Main Service - Holy Communion / Eucharist)
St. Aidan's has a mission in Macclesfield dedicated to St. Theodore of Canterbury.
St. Aidan's and St. Theodore's are very diverse communities with people of English, Greek, Cypriot, Russian, Romanian, Latvian, Slovak, Chinese, Palestinian, Ethiopian, Eritreian, Carribean and Lebanese backgrounds.
Non-Orthodox Christians play a full part in our services but only duly prepared Orthodox Christians may partake of Holy Communion. All Christians baptised in the name of the Trinity may partake of the Agape Meal bread and wine at the end of the Liturgy (we call this the antidoron).
The parish has a very well stocked Bookstore and Library. Those wishing to become members of the Orthodox Church do so upon profession of faith [and if an infant by the faith of its parent(s) and sponsor(s)] usually by chrismation (anointing with holy oil) or in the case of unbaptised or irregularly baptised persons by baptism. A course of preparation and instruction is undertaken first called the catechumenate. For details ask Fr. Gregory.
We are part of the Antiochian Orthodox Deanery of the United Kingdom and Ireland
www.antiochian-orthodox.co.uk
itself part of our Archdiocese in Western and Central Europe.
The Patriarchate of Antioch has a long and distinguished history in the promotion of Christian mission and its presence is global but with main concentrations outside the Middle East) in the Americas (North and South), Europe and Australia.
Our Mission Statement is to win this nation again for Christ ... this time with the FULL gospel - as once known in these islands during the first Millennium when the west was still part of the Orthodox Church. (This is a controversial claim we know but it is how we Orthodox see things). We know that this cannot be done without having warm and collaborative relations (as far as conscience will allow in matters of faith and Church life) with other Christian communities. In the light of this the Antiochian Church belongs to Churches Together in England.
The priest of our community and correspondent here is Father Gregory Hallam who has had a broad experience and ministry in and out of the Orthodox Church giving him a wide personal understanding of most if not all Christian traditions. He is an Orthodox University, Prison and Hospital Chaplain for the Manchester and Salford area. In sector ministries he additionally specialises in Asylum and Immigration issues. He is also knowledgeable and appreciative of other religious traditions having had some training in this regard as a secondary teacher of Religious Education and by direct experience in his ministry. He is married with a grown up daughter.
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