UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 17:21

Generally speaking this could take a day for some or years for others, definitely being true to God and firm in your convictions is very important lest we betray God when our faith is tested and as we enter into inevitable spiritual warfare when we start to live a spiritual life.

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 17:18

G’day Maria, welcome

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 17:04

Im still within the inquirer phase, idk how long I should attend before asking about becoming a catechumen tho.

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 16:43

My name is Mary/Maria and I am an Orthodox convert living in Texas, USA. A friend shared your group with me.

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 15:31

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athonite-audio/id1710245838?i=1000715433669

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 14:45

We have a phrase in tbe English Language, "intrusive thoughts". This phrase is analogous to the Greek "Logismoi" which describes the manner in which we are tempted to sin. Your thoughts are not sins, so long as you don't entertain them. Being obedient to a task about which you say to yourself "I don't want to do this" is a very good way to combat these thoughts, and reorient yourself. Sometimes I don't want to read the prayers before bed, or preparation for the eucharist etc, but I do it, and benefit from it. The same goes for our menial tasks. It is fake to say "I love doing excel spreadsheets! I love getting covered in bin juice! Etc.. it's not fake to say, "Glory to God for all things"

UK & Ireland Orthodox

01 Jul 2025 19:47

🇬🇷🇬🇷 ❌🏳️‍🌈 Seven Monasteries Reject Mitsotakis’ Visit To the Holy Mount Athos Over Same-Sex Marriage Law

In a rare and pointed stand, seven monasteries of Holy Mount Athos—Philotheou, Karakalou, Dochiariou, Gregoriou, Konstamonitou, Koutloumousiou, and Agios Pavlos—have formally declared they will not receive Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his planned visit to the Holy Mountain in early July.

While Mount Athos typically remains above the fray of partisan politics, this unified move is anything but routine. The monks are reacting directly to the same-sex marriage and adoption law passed by Mitsotakis’s government in February—a bill that was pushed through Parliament despite significant public opposition, especially from the Church and Orthodox faithful across Greece and the diaspora.

During a recent session of the Holy Community, the seven monasteries issued letters denouncing the government’s legislation as contrary to Orthodox Christian teaching, particularly in its provisions for child adoption by same-sex couples. Monastic leaders argued the law offends the moral foundations of Hellenic society and betrays the country’s spiritual heritage.

A monk familiar with the proceedings was quoted saying: “This law was not just passed without consensus—it was passed despite it. It disregards the Orthodox conscience of the people.”

Mitsotakis had announced the visit as a spiritual pilgrimage, with stops planned in Iviron, Vatopedi, Xenophontos, and an overnight stay at Simonopetra. While some of these monasteries appear willing to host him, the absence of the seven dissenting monasteries from the official welcoming committee effectively strips the visit of its ceremonial unity.

The symbolism matters. The last time a Greek Prime Minister visited Mount Athos with full honors was a moment of national consensus. This time, the monks are sending a message: Athos will not legitimize legislation that contradicts the Orthodox ethos, even from a government traditionally seen as center-right and friendly to the Church.

🔗 https://www.helleniscope.com/2025/06/30/seven-monasteries-reject-mitsotakis-visit-to-athos-over-same-sex-marriage-law/

UK & Ireland Orthodox

01 Jul 2025 00:00

I will have to check in with my father I will go if I can thank you very much

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 21:24

Hello I'm not orthodox I'm Catholic
Is there a orthodox church In derry/Londonderry I searches online I could not find any does anyone no of any thanks

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 11:51

For clarification, this is the collection I’m referring to: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1KNzocOM23lJx4X2TFpMAU?si=5fTVuTrAQLKD6rqzhBqH7w&pi=DF_fYSCHTUSqV

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 11:33

Welcome to UK & Ireland Orthodox. Please introduce yourself, are you Orthodox and where do you come from? How did you find this group chat? 🇬🇧☦

Please respond to this message in 15 minutes or you will be removed to help defend against bots.



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UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 04:20

Oh yeah, I got to the liturgy today. And unless plans change, hopefully next week too?

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 15:20

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athonite-audio/id1710245838?i=1000715005902

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 14:33

Can you send me the source for this please

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 14:26

Bristol has always had a particular reputation. Don’t worry about it, politics and injustice will never end and people have lamented the degradation of their society since Mesopotamian times

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 17:19

There’s no specific time frame as such, it’s more if you’re convinced and know that once you’re Orthodox you’re committed and serious about it then you can talk with your priest about the catechumenate and reception into the Church.

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 17:17

Welcome @heggz @Tom_778
If either of you have Discord, you’re welcome to join the server I run for Orthodox Christians in the British Isles or interested and there’s people in there with blessings who can answer questions too and have a lot of resources you can look at or if Telegram is preferable then obviously can use this space too

https://discord.gg/hGmq6de9jv

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 17:03

Im not in the church at this point yet tho

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 16:41

Welcome to UK & Ireland Orthodox. Please introduce yourself, are you Orthodox and where do you come from? How did you find this group chat? 🇬🇧☦

Please respond to this message in 15 minutes or you will be removed to help defend against bots.



• Show Love and Compassion - There is no greater commandment than love. All messages should be sent with love of neighbour

• Avoid Negativity - Avoid leaving negative comments. In the majority of cases, if you have nothing nice to say, just don't say it.


• No Circular Debates - Many discussions just go round and round over the same points and it bears no fruit and causes distress for others. This has to stop.

• No Political Debates - Political Debates are futile, a brief conversation is acceptable and sometimes politics overlaps with our Faith and is therefore relevant. However, at a certain point it has to stop and should not be in regards to unrelated matters.

• No Swearing - Use nice language, there's just no need for it.

• No Self Promotion Without Approval - Before promoting your own content, business etc please contact @SidOrthodox for approval.


Posts to be encouraged:

• Be Positive: Share generally positive and encouraging news relating to your orthodox life.

• Orthodox Content: Share Orthodox content that is appropriate for all and will encourage people in their faith

• Orthodox Events: Let us know about events happening across the UK and Ireland.

• Scripture and the Saints: Share Scripture and quotes from the Saints to encourage people.

Violation of rules will result in the removal of comments and in some cases removal from the group.

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 15:30

Thanks, very helpful way to think of it

UK & Ireland Orthodox

02 Jul 2025 12:35

Question for you guys:

I know that one of the virtues that God wants to cultivate in us is that of grace. Sometimes I wonder, is it enough to simply show grace to others and not to actually feel it in your heart? Sometimes my boss or wife asks me to do a task like a household chore or something that I feel is unnecessary and then in my heart I will resent the task thinking “Why do you care about stupid stuff like this?”, “Why are you wasting my time on this?” Is it wrong that I have these thoughts? I’m mindful to not let them influence my outward reaction, I will always smile and do the task obediently with enthusiasm but am I just being fake?

UK & Ireland Orthodox

01 Jul 2025 00:01

Glory to God for all things ☦️❤️🙏

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 21:38

You're gonna have to get to Belfast if you can. I'll send details if you are interested

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 21:23

Welcome to UK & Ireland Orthodox. Please introduce yourself, are you Orthodox and where do you come from? How did you find this group chat? 🇬🇧☦

Please respond to this message in 15 minutes or you will be removed to help defend against bots.



• Show Love and Compassion - There is no greater commandment than love. All messages should be sent with love of neighbour

• Avoid Negativity - Avoid leaving negative comments. In the majority of cases, if you have nothing nice to say, just don't say it.


• No Circular Debates - Many discussions just go round and round over the same points and it bears no fruit and causes distress for others. This has to stop.

• No Political Debates - Political Debates are futile, a brief conversation is acceptable and sometimes politics overlaps with our Faith and is therefore relevant. However, at a certain point it has to stop and should not be in regards to unrelated matters.

• No Swearing - Use nice language, there's just no need for it.

• No Self Promotion Without Approval - Before promoting your own content, business etc please contact @SidOrthodox for approval.


Posts to be encouraged:

• Be Positive: Share generally positive and encouraging news relating to your orthodox life.

• Orthodox Content: Share Orthodox content that is appropriate for all and will encourage people in their faith

• Orthodox Events: Let us know about events happening across the UK and Ireland.

• Scripture and the Saints: Share Scripture and quotes from the Saints to encourage people.

Violation of rules will result in the removal of comments and in some cases removal from the group.

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 11:48

Probably a stupid question but it relates to what I mentioned before about listening to music. Is it okay to listen to non-orthodox music as long as there’s no conflict of theology in the songs?

I only ask as there’s a collection of Psalms recorded in Anglican cathedrals around 20 years ago and I absolutely love them for being beautiful and reverent. From what I can see, they haven’t modified any hint of meaning from these songs and this is before Anglicanism went “woke”.

Don’t get me wrong I do love orthodox music but at the same time as a Brit then I can’t help but feel some sense of cultural familiarity with the Anglican style (I just don’t agree with their theology, that’s all)

UK & Ireland Orthodox

30 Jun 2025 04:21

(The liturgy went on a bit longer than expected, so I didn’t really have any time to talk with fr Benedict this time, so I’m hoping next time I will have the time)

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 15:33

Yes. https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/iron-maiden-glastonbury-gwyneth-paltrow-yurt-3765516

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 14:35

It’s attributed to the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero although I’m not sure where he wrote it down, you can Google it to research it further

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 14:32

“Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book” this was written by Marcus Tullius Cicero who lived between 106 and 43BC

UK & Ireland Orthodox

29 Jun 2025 14:24

Very sad state of affairs to see the UK becoming more and more liberal and corrupt.