We attempt to bring the heart of Orthodox Divine Liturgy to our contemporary Western Christian families leading a hurried life.
The liturgy is based on ancient church rites (Kiloran, from the first church of Jerusalem where Saint James the Apostle was bishop) and daily office.
The Divine Liturgy is in 2 parts - (1) Liturgy of the Word (which includes Scriptural readings and a homily), and (2) Liturgy of the Faithful (which is the Eucharist).
Many of our prayers are from the Orthodox lineage (Eastern and Oriental Orthodox), as well as the Celtic/Gallic lineage (Western Rite), as the Brittanic Isles derived much of its rich Christian faith from the Coptic Orthodox monastics.
We affirm the mystery of the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ during the Sacred Eucharist (or Holy Communion). We affirm that the Eucharist is a sacrament, and a celebration of His holy presence with us, and we humbly believe we should do this as often as we can, as it is both solemn and rejuvenating.
Our communion is a "closed" PRIVATE worship group and is not evangelical (by personal invitation only, as we believe in discipleship). We welcome our families and close friends to join us at the Divine Liturgy, to partake in receiving the body and blood of Christ in accordance with Orthodox traditions.
For those who require the sacrament of the Eucharist in a visitation or hospital environment, or unction (anointing the sick) in our locality, we will be privileged to assist.
Observing Orthodox Liturgy and Worship
Here are some brief points about Orthodox Liturgy and worship:
* We Orthodox faithful stand throughout the entire Divine Liturgy;
* Formal and deeply reverent (it is a service for God, NOT entertainment);
* We make the Orthodox Sign of the Cross at mentions of the Trinity;
* We venerate (NOT pray) to Blessed Mary, saints, and angels;
* Non-Orthodox worshippers can receive blessed bread (not consecrated);
* No personal stories but worship God only (leave that to other occasions);
* We light candles as we enter the Church, and venerate the Icons;
Other traditional Orthodox rubrics may be observed, including wearing the veil for ladies, kissing the hand of the priest during the Eucharist, etc.
Small Oratory
Our small oratory is a PRIVATE space for family and friends to contemplate and read on the Orthodox (Eastern and Oriental), Catholic, Celtic and other illuminated manuscripts such as the "Book of Kells", "Lindisfarne Gospels", etc.
Mobile Apps
We will be compiling various Orthodox prayers for your Daily Office. We are also, through our sister ministry, St Gregory Palamas Mission, developing mobile and Web apps for the iPhone and Android platforms, for all faithful. Some of the first applications include PilgrimApp™, PrayDaily™, AsianSeminarian™, and Spiritualcise™ (all available for free).
For our Catholic brethren
* On June 2000, Pope John Paul II ratified and ordered the publication of Dominus Iesus, signed and published by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) in August 2000, which mentioned: "The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the [Roman] Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches. Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such... have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation." IV. Unicity & Unity of the Church, 17. (Also 2nd Vatican Council, Decree Unitatis redintegratio, 3.)
* “Old Catholics, like the Orthodox, possess a valid priesthood.” (William J. Whalan, pp. 204,248)
* “When a Catholic sacred minister is unavailable and there is urgent spiritual necessity, Catholics may receive the Eucharist, penance, or anointing from sacred ministers of non-Catholic denominations whose Holy Orders are considered valid by the Catholic Church. This includes all Eastern Orthodox priests, as well as priests of the Old Catholic or Polish National Church.” (New Code of Catholic Canon Law, Thomas P. Doyle, O.P., p. 44)