Prayers/Worship

For our Prayer intentions:

Please pray for  our Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Marc, Bishop Paul and all our clergy

For Peace in our troubled World

For the unity of the Church

For the protection of the environment

For all in sickness, sorrow or distress

For the repose of the departed

 

Please contact Fr Leonard if you would like us to include you or someone you care about in our prayers.

 

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Worship 

Daily Prayer:  Prayer is as necessary for the soul as food is for the body.  A regulated routine is highly recommended.  Lamorna Publications (see Links) offers the St Gwenn's Daily Office Book and other prayer resorces.

The Divine Liturgy:  All are welcome at the Divine Liturgy, celebrated according to the rite of the Celtic Orthodox Church.   Communion is given to anyone who is baptised and a communicant member of their own (Christian Trinitarian) Church, and who truly believes that they are receiving the very body and blood of Christ in communion.  Contact Fr Leonard for times and location. 

Baptism:  Whilst it is not necessary if you do not like the idea, we prefer that we baptise outdoors in fresh running water – a river or stream – or in the sea. 

Chrismation:  For those wishing to become members of the Celtic Orthodox Church we have the sacramental service of Chrismation where the candidate receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and is anointed with Holy oil. 

Marriage:  In line with many other Orthodox Churches, to avoid difficulties over legal registration, we would perform the Marriage Service immediately after a legal ceremony in a Registry Office.  The legal ceremony would be just that, a legality, and be a quiet affair with just the couple and witnesses present.  The Celtic Orthodox Marriage in the sight of God would be for all the guests and could take place out of doors, at the place of the Reception or any other suitable place which would first be blessed by the priest for the purpose.  It is very much in the Celtic Tradition that all space is potentially sacred, being part of God’s Creation. 

Funerals:  We can offer a Celtic Orthodox funeral service at the graveside, at a Cemetery chapel, at a Crematorium, or other suitable place. 

Blessings and Prayer:  We can offer blessings in a variety of situations and also undertake daily prayer for those in sorrow, sickness, or any kind of need. 

Absolution:  We will hear your confession and pronounce absolution for the truly penitent.  Or we will just listen to whatever you may wish to discuss with a priest, and offer counsel where appropriate and desired. 

Contact Fr Leonard for further details.

 

Some Typical Celtic Prayers and Blessings

 

May all that is good rise up to greet you;

May all that is evil fall from your path.

 

God to guard you,
God to guide you,
God to keep you,
God to hide you
In his bosom,
Evermore.

Son to watch you,
Son to teach you,
Son to help you,
Son to heal you
With his life,
His blood outpoured.

Spirit with you,
Spirit in you,
Spirit through you,
Spirit show you –
You are in God’s love,
Evermore. Amen

 

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

 God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my hands,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber
God in mine ever living soul,
God in mine eternity.