Orthodox Ecclesiology and Modernity

21st Annual Conference. 

The University of St Andrews - Centre for Russian, Soviet, Central and East European Studies.

Saturday 17th March 2012
Arts Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, The Scores, St Andrews.

More information here.

Holy and Healing Wells of Scotland : St Kentigern's Well, Currie, Midlothian

The approach to the well along a muddy path beside the Water of Leith.

Close up of the well. As you can see it is kept in very good condition by Currie Kirk whose Boys' Brigade (I believe) were responsible for digging it out of the riverbank some 25 years ago. 

Fr Michael testing the waters.

Some wells have clootie trees but St Kentigern, being a Scottish saint, has much more style and has his own little shrub hung with glass ornaments. Perhaps something to bring when you visit the well, failing that, drop a flower in rather than a coin.

Another view of the well. The water, which tastes quite nice, runs out to its right.

Our Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit at work. He is so wonderful He can't help creating, everything oozes life thanks to Him, even stone walls.

This is the moss forest on the wall at the start of the river walk.

How to find it
Map Ref: NT184677

Find Currie Kirk EH14 5NY and the Water of Leith runs parallel with it on the south side, the well is a few minutes' walk by the railway bridge. The path is always muddy. In winter it's covered in dead leaves and in summer in wild garlic but either way be very careful!

Looking from the path back towards the bridge. The kirk is to your left at the top of the path.

Service schedule for St Nicholas & St Blane, Feb & March

Orthodox Community of St Nicholas

Services for February and March 2012

Laighill Loan, off Ramoyle, Dunblane

Language: English with some Slavonic

February
Sun, 5	11.00am	Liturgy	Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee
Sun, 12	11.00am	Liturgy	Sunday of the Prodigal Son, New Martyrs of Russia
Sun, 19	11.00am	Matins	Sunday of the Last Judgement, Afterfeast of the Meeting
Sun, 26	11.00am	Liturgy and Vespers	Sunday of Forgiveness, start of LENT
Mon, 27	7.30pm	Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, part 1, FAST
Tues, 28	7.30pm	Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, part 2, FAST
Wed, 29	7.30pm	Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, part 3, FAST
March
Thurs, 1	7.30pm	Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, part 4, FAST
Sun, 4	11.00am	Liturgy	Sunday of Orthodoxy, FAST
Sun, 11	11.00am	Matins	St Gregory Palamas, FAST
Fri, 16	6.30pm	Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, FAST
Sun, 18		NO SERVICE
Sun, 25	11.00am	Liturgy	St John of the Ladder
April
Sun, 1	11.00am	Matins	St Mary of Egypt, FAST
Sun, 8	11.00am	*Liturgy	Palm Sunday, Leavetaking of the Annunciation, FAST, fish, wine & oil

Confessions may be heard before the Liturgy or by appointment. On Liturgy days the last confession should begin before 10.45am to allow the priest to begin the Liturgy on time – please phone if you can to help him plan.

On days marked * (generally great feasts, commemorations or meetings) there is a communal meal after the Liturgy. Anyone who contributes who wishes (fasting foods during fasts), and all are welcome who wish to stay. After other services tea, coffee and biscuits are served, and anyone is welcome to bring food to share, or to eat themselves before their journey.

Clergy

Fr Alexander Williams: rory.williams@clara.co.uk

Fr Dcn Mark McBeth: markmcbeth@mac.com

Archbishop Gabriel's health

Please pray for Mgr Gabriel.


From the British Deanery website: 

Archbishop Gabriel was victim to a small brain haemorrhage at the end of last week, after the celebration of the feast of the Nativity according to the Julian calendar. According to the doctors, this haemorrhage is a sequela of the chemotherapy treatment which he had received during 2011. He went into Bichat Hospital on the evening of Saturday 7th January, and he was discharged on Monday 9th January. He feels well, but following the advice of the doctors he left immediately to rest. He has cancelled all his appointments for the month of January. 

He thanks all who support him by their prayers.

New Western Rite website for England

ROCOR's Western Rite Vicariate have announced a new website for their UK Missions and Study Societies. It will be interesting to see how things progress for them and the website is a very nice friendly introduction.

Fr Aidan (Keller) has a page of photographs and liturgical texts at All Merciful Savior which is worth looking at.

Schedule for St Nicolas & St Finnan until Easter/Pascha

Fr Marcel Oprisan, Fr Raphael, and the Inverness Romanian Community in the chapel at Ardross Castle. The original of this photograph and accompanying article is on the Romanian Orthodox blog.