Online Catechism on St. Matthew

 
The Parish of St. Peter and St. Paul, Bristol, warmly invites all who are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith to join our next Online Orthodox Catechism session on Monday, 22 June 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (UK time). The evening will feature two presentations, delivered by Fr. Anastasios D. Salapatas and Dr. Harry Harrison, followed by discussion and questions. Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian, a catechumen, an inquirer, or simply curious about the Church’s spiritual and historical heritage, you are most welcome to attend this enriching and educational gathering.
 

The theme of the evening will be centred on the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew and the Gospel that bears his name. Fr. Anastasios D. Salapatas will present a talk on St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, exploring the life, calling, ministry, and witness of the former tax collector who became one of Christ’s Twelve Apostles and the author of the first Gospel. Dr. Harry Harrison will then examine The Gospel of St. Matthew, highlighting its theological themes, its presentation of Christ as the promised Messiah, and its enduring significance for the life and teaching of the Church. Together, these two talks will offer a comprehensive introduction to both the saint and his inspired Gospel, deepening our understanding of the apostolic foundations of the Christian faith.

+ Archimandrite Barnabas Burton

 
The St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church of Bristol warmly invites everyone to its next Online Orthodox Catechism session on Monday, 8 June 2026, at 7:00 pm (UK time). This special gathering will feature Fr. Stephen Platt, General Secretary of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius, whose long-standing contribution to Inter-Christian dialogue and scholarship has earned him wide respect throughout the Orthodox world and beyond. The event offers a valuable opportunity for learning, reflection, and discussion, as participants come together to explore an important chapter in the life of contemporary Orthodoxy.
 

This lecture marks the thirtieth anniversary of the repose of Archimandrite Barnabas Burton (1915–1996), one of the most beloved and influential figures of British Orthodoxy in the twentieth century. Through reflections on his life, ministry, and enduring legacy, Fr. Stephen Platt will examine the spiritual vision, pastoral witness, and missionary zeal that characterised Fr. Barnabas’s service to the Church. The presentation will not only commemorate an exceptional priest and monk but will also consider the continuing relevance of his example for Orthodox Christians seeking to live and witness to the faith in contemporary Western society.

The First Ecumenical Council

 
Join us for the next session of the Online Orthodox Catechism hosted by St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church, Bristol, on Monday, 25th May 2026 at 7.00 pm (UK time). In this special online gathering, Fr. David Gilchrist will offer a talk on one of the most important events in Church history. All are warmly invited to attend, whether they are long-time members of the Church, inquirers into the Orthodox faith, or simply interested in the Christian tradition.
 

The talk will focus on “The First Ecumenical Council,” the historic Council of Nicaea held in AD 325. This Council brought together bishops from across the Christian world to defend the true faith against heresy and to affirm the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ through the Nicene Creed. The session will provide a concise introduction to the historical background, theological significance, and enduring importance of the First Ecumenical Council in the life of the Orthodox Church.

Διαδικτυακή Κατήχηση - 11/5/2026

 
Με ιδιαίτερη χαρά προσκαλούμε όλους στη νέα διαδικτυακή συνάντηση Ορθόδοξης Κατήχησης, που πραγματοποιείται υπό την αιγίδα της Κοινότητας Απ. Πέτρου και Παύλου, στο Bristol, η οποία θα πραγματοποιηθεί τη Δευτέρα 11 Μαΐου 2026, στις 7:00 μ.μ. (ώρα Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου). Ομιλητής θα είναι ο Δρ. Harry Harrison, ο οποίος θα αναπτύξει στην Αγγλική το ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρον θέμα: «When Was the Church?». Μέσα από μια ιστορική και θεολογική προσέγγιση, θα εξεταστεί η απαρχή της Εκκλησίας και η παρουσία της μέσα στην ιστορία της σωτηρίας.
 

Η συνάντηση είναι ανοιχτή σε όλους όσοι ενδιαφέρονται να γνωρίσουν βαθύτερα την πίστη και την παράδοση της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας, είτε βρίσκονται ήδη κοντά στην εκκλησιαστική ζωή είτε κάνουν τα πρώτα τους βήματα αναζήτησης. Για τη συμμετοχή σας μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε με τον π. Αναστάσιο Δ. Σαλαπάτα, ώστε να σας αποσταλεί ο σχετικός σύνδεσμος παρακολούθησης. Όλοι είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι!

The reality of the Resurrection

 
On Monday, 27th April 2026 at 7:00pm (UK time), we continue with a new session of the Online Orthodox Catechism, hosted by St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Bristol. This gathering offers an accessible and welcoming space for anyone interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith. Whether you are new to Orthodoxy or looking to deepen your understanding, these sessions provide thoughtful teaching and an opportunity to engage with important spiritual topics from within the life of the Church.
 

In this session, Fr. Anastasios D. Salapatas will explore the theme “Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” The Resurrection stands at the very heart of Christian belief, not only as a theological truth and doctrine but as a transformative reality that shapes faith, hope, and life itself. Reflecting on its historical, scriptural, and spiritual dimensions helps illuminate why it has remained central to Christian witness for two millennia. This talk aims to offer clarity, encouragement, and a deeper appreciation of the Resurrection’s significance for both believers and those seeking to understand the foundations of the Christian faith.

Pilgrimage and Holy Week

 
Introduction
 

As we approach the most sacred time of the year—Great and Holy Week—we are invited into something far deeper than remembrance. In the Orthodox Church, Holy Week is not simply a historical reflection on events that happened long ago. It is a living participation in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Today, I would like to speak about two closely connected themes: first, the meaning of Holy Week itself, and second, the idea of pilgrimage - especially how Holy Week becomes a kind of spiritual pilgrimage for every Orthodox Christian.
 
Whether or not we travel to holy places like Jerusalem or Mount Athos, we are all called to make an inner journey - a journey of repentance, humility, and renewal.
 
What Is an Orthodox Pilgrimage?
 
In the Orthodox tradition, pilgrimage is not tourism. It is not about sightseeing or even primarily about learning. It is about transformation.
 
A pilgrimage is a journey toward God.
 
When Orthodox Christians travel to places such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ was crucified and buried, they are not simply observing history—they are entering into it spiritually.
 
But here is something very important: Holy Week itself is a pilgrimage.
 
Even if we never leave our town, if we attend the services, fast, pray, and struggle spiritually, we are walking with Christ. The Church, through her services, takes us step by step through the final days of Christ’s life.
 
So, in a sense, the Church becomes our Jerusalem. The services become our Via Dolorosa. And our hearts become the place where the Resurrection must occur.
 
The Beginning: Palm Sunday
 
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when we commemorate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
 
The people welcomed Him with palm branches, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
But we must remember: the same crowd that welcomed Him would soon cry, “Crucify Him!”
 
Palm Sunday is therefore both joyful and sobering. It reminds us how easily human hearts can change. We are called to ask ourselves: Do we truly welcome Christ, or do we only follow Him when it is easy?
 
Palm branches symbolize victory - but Christ’s victory will not come through power, but through suffering and sacrifice.
 
The First Three Days: Bridegroom Services (Monday–Wednesday)
 
The first three days of Holy Week are centered around the Bridegroom Matins services.
 
We hear the hymn:
 
“Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight,
and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching…”
 
Christ is called the Bridegroom, and the Church is His Bride.
 
These services emphasize vigilance, repentance, and readiness. The image is clear: Christ is coming, and we must be spiritually awake.
 
The icon of the Bridegroom shows Christ wearing a crown of thorns—humble, suffering, rejected.
 
These days challenge us deeply. They ask:
 
·        Are we awake spiritually, or asleep?
·        Are we prepared to meet Christ?
·        Are we faithful, or distracted?
 
In the Gospel readings, we also hear parables about judgment, faithfulness, and the end times. The Church is calling us to examine our lives seriously.
 
Holy Wednesday: Repentance
 
On Holy Wednesday, we remember the woman who anointed Christ with costly perfume.
 
While Judas was preparing to betray Christ, this woman offered Him love, repentance, and sacrifice.
 
The contrast is powerful.
 
One disciple betrays Christ for money.
One sinful woman offers everything in love.
 
This day reminds us that repentance is always possible. No matter how far we have fallen, we can return to Christ.
 
Holy Thursday: The Mystical Supper
 
Holy Thursday is one of the most profound days of the year.
 
We commemorate the Last Supper, when Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist.
 
He gives His Body and Blood to His disciples and commands them—and us—to do this in remembrance of Him.
 
This is not symbolic. This is the very center of our life as Orthodox Christians.
 
On this day, we also remember:
 
·        The washing of the disciples’ feet, showing humility and service
·        The agony in the Garden of Gethsemane
·        The betrayal by Judas
 
In the evening service, we hear the Twelve Passion Gospels, recounting Christ’s suffering in detail.
 
As we listen, we are not distant observers. We stand there spiritually. We hear the accusations, the mockery, the cruelty.
 
And we must ask ourselves honestly: Where am I in this story?
 
Am I like Peter, who denies Christ?
Like Judas, who betrays Him?
Or like the faithful ones who remain with Him?
 
Great and Holy Friday: The Day of the Cross
 
Holy Friday is the most solemn day of the year.
 
Christ is crucified. The Son of God suffers and dies.
 
The Church enters into deep mourning.
 
We venerate the Cross, not as a symbol of defeat, but as the instrument of salvation.
 
In the afternoon, we commemorate the taking down of Christ’s body from the Cross.
 
In the evening, we participate in the procession of the Epitaphios - the icon of Christ laid in the tomb.
 
We follow it in silence, often with candles, just as the disciples and the Myrrh-bearing women followed Christ in sorrow.
 
This is one of the most moving experiences in the Orthodox Church.
 
It is a moment of stillness, grief, and reflection.
 
And yet -even here- there is hope.
 
Because we know that death will not have the final word.
 
Holy Saturday: Waiting in Hope
 
Holy Saturday is a day of quiet expectation.
 
Christ lies in the tomb—but something is happening beyond what we can see.
 
The Church teaches that Christ descends into Hades, breaking the power of death and freeing those who were held captive.
 
In the morning service, the mood begins to shift.
 
We hear the first hints of victory. Dark vestments may be replaced with brighter ones. The tomb is no longer only a place of sorrow—it becomes the place where life will emerge.
 
Holy Saturday teaches us something essential:
 
God is at work even in silence.
Even when everything seems lost, He is preparing victory.
 
Pascha: The Resurrection
 
At midnight, everything changes.
 
The church is dark. Then a single light appears—the light of Christ.
 
The priest proclaims: “Come, receive the light!”
 
The flame is passed from one person to another, until the entire church is filled with light.
 
And then we hear the proclamation that changes everything:
 
“Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down death by death,
and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”
 
This is the heart of our faith.
 
Death is defeated.
Sin is overcome.
Life has triumphed.
 
Pascha is not just a celebration - it is a new reality.
 
Holy Week as a Personal Pilgrimage
 
Now, returning to the idea of pilgrimage:
 
Even if we never travel to Jerusalem, Holy Week is our journey.
 
Each service is a step.
 
·        Palm Sunday: We welcome Christ
·        Monday–Wednesday: We prepare and repent
·        Thursday: We receive Him
·        Friday: We suffer with Him
·        Saturday: We wait
·        Pascha: We rise with Him
 
This is the path of every Christian life.
 
Pilgrimage teaches us that faith is not static - it is a movement. A journey. A struggle.
 
It requires effort, commitment, and sacrifice.
 
Conclusion
 
Holy Week is not something we watch - it is something we enter.
 
It is an invitation.
 
An invitation to walk with Christ.
To suffer with Him.
To die to our sins.
And to rise into new life.
 
Whether we are in our parish, in a monastery, or in the Holy Land, the goal is the same:
 
To encounter the living Christ.
 
Let us therefore approach this Holy Week not casually, but with intention.
 
Let us pray more deeply, attend the services, forgive one another, and open our hearts.
 
And when we hear the words, “Christ is risen,” may we not only say them with our lips, but know them in our hearts.
 
Amen.
 

Fr. Anastasios D. Salapatas

 
Note: The above text was read at the online Orthodox Catechism on Monday 30^th March 2026.

Orthodox Catechism, 2/3/2026

 
St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Bristol invites you to an Online Orthodox Catechism on Monday, 2^nd March 2026 at 7:00 pm (English time). This session will feature Richard Devereux speaking on “Saint David – Archbishop and Patron Saint of Wales” and Dr. Harry Harrison presenting his talk on “Great Lent as Preparation for Baptism”. It promises to be an evening of thoughtful teaching, reflection, and discussion.
 

Whether you are new to the Orthodox faith, exploring Christianity, or simply wishing to deepen your understanding, all are warmly welcome. If you would like to attend, please message Fr. Anastasios D. Salapatas to receive the relevant link. We look forward to gathering together online for learning and fellowship.

Orthodox Catechism, 16/2/2026

 
St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Bristol invites you to an Online Orthodox Catechism on Monday, 16th February 2026 at 7:00 pm (English time). This session will feature Fr. Trayan Goranov speaking on “Saturday of Souls - Praying for the Dead,” and Dr. Harry Harrison presenting part two of his talk on “The Different Understanding of the Word of God between Jews and Christians.” It promises to be an evening of thoughtful teaching, reflection, and discussion.
 

Whether you are new to the Orthodox faith, exploring Christianity, or simply wishing to deepen your understanding, all are warmly welcome. If you would like to attend, please message Fr. Anastasios D. Salapatas to receive the relevant link. We look forward to gathering together online for learning and fellowship.

Orthodox Catechism, 8/12/2025

 
Our Orthodox Parishes in Bristol and Swansea are pleased to continue offering the Orthodox Catechism series, an accessible and welcoming opportunity for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the Orthodox Christian faith. Each session brings thoughtful teaching and spiritual reflection, helping participants explore essential aspects of theology, history, and tradition within the life of the Church.
 

The upcoming meeting on Monday, 8 December 2025, features talks by Fr. Anastasios Salapatas and Dr. Harry Harrison, covering the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and the fascinating topic of the Turin Shroud and the Mandylion of Edessa. All who are interested -whether long-standing parishioners or newcomers- are warmly invited to join us for this enriching evening of learning and discussion.

Online Orthodox Catechism 2025-2026

 
The online Orthodox Catechism that we have established and offer for the last couple of years to all those interested, who may be Orthodox, Catechumens or just interested on Orthodoxy, is starting again, after the summer holidays.
 

We have noticed that the interest increases, as more and more people are joining in and enjoy the meetings. Therefore, this evening, we shall have the first meeting of the new academic year, 2025-2026. More details on the poster of this post.

Discover Orthodoxy Course

 
Beloved in the Lord,
 

Kindly find attached the flyer concerning the upcoming 9th Session of the weekly online Discover Orthodoxy Course.  We are offering this online course as a way of supporting our clergy in their outreach.  Anyone is welcome to join, and this course can also supplement in-person catechism our parishes may already be offering.  Our purpose is to support parishes with Catechism.
 
Feel free to post the attached flyer on your social media / community bulletin board.
 
With prayerful wishes for a blessed Dormition Fast, I remain
 
In Christ,
 
Archim. Nephon Tsimalis
Protosyncellus
 
Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain | Ecumenical Patriarchate