Dear Friends
From the late 90s it has been possible to have communications and relationships with others at a distance. While pen pals—writing letters regularly between two people—have existed for much longer, the explosion in internet use over the last thirty years has near infinitely expanded options. From message boards, to online chat, to social media, it is possible to have regular and instant communications with others whom you may only know in online versions of themselves.
And in an online world it is possible to curate a version of yourself, one not according to reality. It is possible to form connections with others with a completely different persona, a more cool, more well-adjusted, more enlightened, more whatever you want it to be. But the danger is that the fantasy I create is just that, fantasy: I may, however, end up believing the conceit I have created, believing that it is the true me rather than a fabrication.
The Church stands and says, “no.” I am a created human being, body and soul, and I see that most clearly in worship. In worship of the living God I am called to be present: not just mentally present as a carefully curated avatar, but physically present as the created human being I am—with my weaknesses, with the parts of me I would rather hide, with my sins laid before me. And then, having accepted what I am, I am called to change, to repent, to turn to the living God: not as a pious online fiction but in reality and in Truth.
Following the blessing we received last weekend with the presence, guidance and oversight of our Father in Christ, Metropolitan Silouan, he has encouraged us to hold some weekday services during the remainder of Lent—details are still being worked out but I hope to let you know when they are confirmed. And in coming together more frequently we will have the greater opportunity to confirm the reality of our being: created human beings who bear the image of God.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to live a life of truth and reality, not fantasy and illusion. And we see this most perfectly in worship where we stand together—not solely as individuals separated from each other but brothers and sisters who have a common life and a common goal—and of praise and glory to God Who has created us, saved us and brings us to eternal Life.
Come! Come and let us manifest our faithfulness to Truth through the worship of the living God.
Come and see!
Metropolitan Silouan’s Visit — 8th–9th March 2025
(Source: Archdiocesan Facebook Page)
By the grace of God, the Parish of the Twelve Apostles, Eastleigh, was blessed by the pastoral visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan, who spent two spiritually enriching days with the clergy and faithful of the community. His Eminence was warmly received by the parish priest, Father Alexander Haig J, and the parishioners, who gathered with great joy to welcome their shepherd.
Saturday, 8th March – Vespers
The visit commenced with the celebration of Great Vespers at 6:30 p.m. Presided over by His Eminence, the service was filled with prayerful solemnity, preparing the faithful for the Lord’s Day. After the conclusion of Vespers, His Eminence addressed the parishioners with an edifying talk on the importance of fasting in the Orthodox Christian life. He explained that fasting is not merely a dietary restriction but a spiritual discipline that strengthens our souls and deepens our relationship with God. He highlighted three key reasons why we fast:
- Refusing the work of the first Adam – Adam did not fast but ate from the tree that God had forbidden, leading to the fall of mankind. By fasting, we reverse the disobedience of Adam, choosing to follow God’s command rather than our own desires.
- Defeating the devil – Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself taught that some demonic forces cannot be cast out except through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). By fasting, we weaken the power of the enemy and strengthen our spiritual armour.
- Teaching our body to obey the spirit – Fasting disciplines the body and brings it into obedience to the soul, rather than allowing bodily desires to rule over us. This ascetic practice restores the proper order of our being, with the spirit leading and the body following.
Following his talk, His Eminence remained with the faithful, engaging in a fruitful discussion and answering their questions, offering pastoral guidance and encouragement.
Sunday, 9th March – Matins, Divine Liturgy, and the Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession
The next day, the celebration of Matins began at 9:00 a.m., leading into the Divine Liturgy, where the parish gathered in unity to partake of the Holy Mysteries. During his sermon, His Eminence spoke about the Sunday of Orthodoxy, emphasising that to be Orthodox is not just to hold the correct beliefs (Orthodoxy) but also to live according to those beliefs (Orthopraxy). He reminded the faithful that right faith and right life must go together, for true Orthodoxy is not merely intellectual assent but a lived experience of communion with God.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence, together with Father Alexander, led a procession with holy icons, commemorating the triumph of Orthodoxy over the heresy of iconoclasm. The parishioners, carrying their icons in joyful proclamation, declared “The Orthodox Icon Wins!”, affirming the Church’s teaching on the incarnation of Christ and the sacred place of holy images in worship. It was a moment of profound spiritual beauty and unity.
Agape Meal and Fellowship
The pastoral visit concluded with a blessing of the Agape meal, which was shared in an atmosphere of joy and fellowship. The faithful gathered around their bishop, engaging in discussion and asking questions, cherishing the opportunity to receive his wisdom and pastoral care.
The visit of His Eminence was a great spiritual encouragement to the parish, strengthening their faith and deepening their understanding of Orthodox Christian life. The clergy and faithful of the Parish of the Twelve Apostles express their gratitude to their beloved shepherd, praying that the Lord will continue to bless his archpastoral ministry.
To God be the glory!
We serve a meal following the Liturgy on Sundays. All are welcome.
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Sermon
Sermon of our Father in Christ, Metropolitan Silouan
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Good morning, everyone. I am very happy to be among you on this day. The first Sunday of the Lent. The Fathers of the Church established this programme, established for us a spiritual life through the Church—you cannot do it without the Church: out of the Church you can do some, but in the Church, through the Church, you can do a lot—before Lent the Fathers of the Church prepared us for four weeks, preparing us for Lent. Also, in Lent, in this journey, through Lent to Easter, the Fathers of the Church prepared us for this journey. We have to prepare ourselves but also the Fathers of the Church prepare us.
The first Sunday is the Orthodoxy Sunday: what does it mean? Why are we Orthodox? Some of you brought some icons to the Church on this first Sunday. Being Orthodox means two things: to have correct belief and to have correct life. Correct belief: what is the correct belief? The one which Jesus Christ give to the Apostles, and the Apostles give to the other Apostles, and the Apostles give it to the others, Fathers of the Church, till now. So, the Orthodox Church preserves the Tradition, the belief, the same which was given to the Apostles by Jesus Christ. Now we have this belief in our Church: we haven’t changed anything. Of course we have changed some practices but not believing in God, in Trinity, in Jesus Christ, in the Theotokos, in the Gospels—nothing has changed.
What is the correct life? The correct life for us is to preserve, or to follow, the command of God. If we read the Gospel, we will see at least ten commands of God to follow. This is the correct life. Correct life also, after these commands, is through spiritual life: correct life is preserving or following the commands of God, this is the first, the second is following the spiritual life in the Church. The spiritual life in the Church means to pray a little bit, as much as I can, fast a little bit as much as I can, and do my best to pray and to fast as much as I can, and a little more. Year by year I will reach the point that I fast as the Church wants me to fast and I pray as the Church wants me to pray and I have this clearness in my head to pray: if something happens around me I will not see it as a problem because I have true prayer.
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Read this Sermon, Correct belief, correct life.
Archive of Past Sermons.
Services this week
Friday 14th March
Discussion on the Prophecy of Isaiah, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 15th March
Great Vespers, 6.30 pm
At 3rd URC Scout Hall, Chandlers Ford
Sunday 16th March
Matins and Divine Liturgy, 9 am
At 3rd URC Scout Hall, Chandlers Ford
Online session is via Google Meet: please get in contact for the details.
Please join us: all are welcome, come and see.
Attending Church
We meet at 3rd URC Scout HQ, Kings Rd, Chandlers Ford SO53 2EY. The Scout hall is behind and to the left of the URC Church. Come and See.
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the parish?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]