GOCYORK Welcome to the home page for the
Orthodox Community Of Sts. Constantine & Helen in York.
The community of Sts Constantine & Helen is the longest established Orthodox congregation worshiping in the ancient city of York. The parish is part of the Oecumenical Patriarchate’s Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain.
We normally gather for the Divine Liturgy at 11am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at the mediæval church of St. Mary, Bishophill Junior YO1 6EN [which is off Micklegate / Priory Street].
Click here for location information.
Click here to go straight to the service list.
The liturgy is usually preceded by the 3rd and 6th hours. Our congregation is pan-Orthodox [made up of people from various Orthodox traditions] and it is therefore served mainly in English, with some Greek and Slavonic. After the liturgy, we stay behind for refreshments and the chance to chat.
Services are also held on some of the traditional Holy Days, please look out for announcements about these. You may wish to note that the parish uses the new (Revised-Julian) kalendar, in line with the majority of the Archdiocese.
All are welcome to any of our services, whether you are already Orthodox or non-Orthodox and wish to learn more about the Orthodox way. Students studying in York are especially welcome to come and keep up with their faith whilst away from home.
If you want to enquire about having one of what – in English – we call the Occasional Offices (Baptisms / Weddings / Funerals etc.) then please ask the priest at the end of the Sunday liturgy or use the contact form and a meeting can then be set up to discuss arrangements.
Confessions can be heard prior to the Holy Liturgy or separately, by prior arrangement. Please ask the priest about this.
UPDATE for February 2021.
FUTURE SERVICES : Updated guidance from the Archbishop of Thyateira has been received. His Eminence has now decided that as the Government advice is that Public Worship is allowed under the current lockdown and the statistics are all moving in the right direction, across the Archdiocese services can resume. After discussion the Anglican parish of St.Mary’s, on whose generosity we rely, has also agreed our services can resume. Therefore, the previously advertised services will now take place as planned.
Fr.David.
NOTE THAT, in accordance with the current rules, social distancing and other measures will be in place in the church. Please respect the notices and other instructions given, in particular everyone attending will need to ;
- to maintain a suitable distance (currently 1-2m) at all times
- use hand sanitizer on arrival
- wear a face covering whilst in the church building
- provide a name & contact telephone number for NHS tracing purposes, if it should become necessary.
The guidance still says that anyone over the age of 70 should still not attend church services – if you are over 70 and would like to attend, please contact Fr.David to discuss this. There is different/extra guidance for the Occasional Offices, if you wanted to request one of these, please contact Fr.David to discuss this. The full government guidance can be accessed through this link ;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-from-4-july .
Fr.David.
Service List
Here is the latest list of planned services ;
14 March
Sunday of Cheesefare – after, the Forgiveness Evensong
Thursday 25 March 7pm
The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Holy Liturgy of St.John Chrysostom
11 April
4th Of Lent – St.John of the Ladder
Wednesday 14 April 7pm
Holy Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
25 April
Palm Sunday – after the Liturgy, the Bridegroom Matins of Monday of Holy Week
Friday 30 April 7pm
Evensong of Good Friday
Saturday 1 May 11pm
Resurrection Proclamation
Christ is risen! / Хрїсто́съ воскре́се! / Χριστός ἀνέστη!
& Liturgy of Easter Day
Fr. David -priest in charge of the community- also serves at the Church of St. Nicholas, Blackley, Manchester M9 7AT.
