Orthodoxy in Britain

Whilst the major Orthodox Churches are found in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, today Orthodox Christians are spread throughout the world and there are few countries without an Orthodox presence. In Britain, the Orthodox collectively form the third largest Christian community, having some 250,000 members. Most of the local Orthodox Churches are represented, principally the Greek Orthodox Church (Ecumenical Patriarchate), but also the Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian and Antiochian Churches.

At first sight, Orthodoxy can appear as something exotic, a purely Eastern form of Christianity. In fact, it is a universal faith, with deep roots in this land, which was once part of a truly “ecumenical” Christian fellowship embracing both East and West. The Orthodox Church thus recognises herself in the faith and life of the British and Irish Churches of the first millenium and venerates their saints: Alban the First Martyr, Patrick of Ireland, David of Wales, Ninian of Whithorn, Cuthbert and Aidan of Lindisfarne, Brigid of Kildare, Hilda of Whitby, Dunstan of Canterbury - to name but a few of this cloud of witnesses. You will find their icon in the London Cathedral.

Akathist Hymn to the Walsingham Ikon of the Mother-of-God