All Saints Orthodox Church, Basildon,Essex

All Saints Orthodox Church, Basildon,Essex A parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the UK & Ireland.

06/09/2026

ALL SAINTS: NOTICES --Fourteenth Sunday of Matthew, 2026

*** THIS TUESDAY, 8th SEPTEMBER: NATIVITY MP ΘY ***
( First Great Feast of the Church year )
DIVINE LITURGY at 09:30
Holy temple open from 08:30
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*** NEXT SUNDAY, 13th SEPTEMBER: ROAD CLOSURE ***
POUND LANE WILL BE CLOSED 08:30 TO 11:00 (FUN RUN)
This is a blessed opportunity for us to arrive early, make confession, pray, and to help!
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TODAY'S HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 22:1-14
Beloved Christians
in today’s Holy Gospel Christ offers a parabolic explanation of the Kingdom.
The King is God the Father; the marriage is the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the union of His divine and human natures into one Person. The festivities are symbolic of the Church, which exists, in heaven and on earth.
The King invites certain people - the Jews - to the festivities. In not coming to the festivities, they represent the rejection of Christ and his Church by the Pharisees and their allies. The men who murdered the slaves are the Jews who had murdered the prophets.
We note that the King is ever-merciful and he has greater faith in his people than they have in him and so He sends His slaves into the highways to bring in strangers, the non-Jews, including - according to Saint Luke - the common people, the poor, the maimed, the sick. Christ has summoned us to His feast so that we may partake of His sacred and grace-filled food—the Holy Mysteries. This food is for the remission of sins and for life eternal; food which prepares us spiritually and physically for eternal life with God. For this feast we, too, must make preparations.
The man in today's Holy Gospel who is ejected is not wearing a festal garment, a robe of incorruption. This garment is, of course, a spiritual garment.
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GOD IS LOVE AND MERCY!
None of us is - by our own efforts - ever “worthy” of SALVATION. We are granted such a privilege by the Holy Spirit as a GRACE of God. As today’s Epistle reminds us, we are always and in all things reliant on God’s immeasurable mercies.
Let us strive to live according to the teachings of our Christian FAITH, rejecting not God but the lures of this world and be ever ready, vigilant and prepared, daily throwing off the shackles of worldly concerns, selfish bodily urges, and the strangle-hold of our passions.
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ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Those quiet, humble, committed people who serve in our parish.
Those who tithe.
Emily Katherine - for tomatoes from her garden.
All those attended Elizabeth's funeral, in particular those who served, sang, helped Ted with the marquee, brought food & drink to share, helped fill in the grave. A beautiful display of Christian love.
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YOUR PRAYERS
Elizabeth - memory eternal!
Michael - has received the blessing to assist with Reader-duties at the kliros. May God bless his service in the holy temple!
Three Orthodox Christian couples in our parish preparing for holy matrimony.
Lucy (Lacey) - travelling tomorrow (Monday) and Friday. Safe and blessed journey.
All teachers, support and admin staff, pupils, students - returning to education.
Warwick, Leo, Albert (non-orth.) - on the journey to the Church.
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With love and prayers, in Christ God,

Father Jakob
sinner and unworthy presbyter

Please feel free to post online and share with friends and family

All Glory to God! Here is issue 202 of our weekly children's magazine.
05/09/2026

All Glory to God! Here is issue 202 of our weekly children's magazine.

30/08/2026

ALL SAINTS: NOTICES --THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW, 2026

SATURDAY, 5th SEPTEMBER
FUNERAL OF ELIZABETH, AT BRADWELL. * NO DIVINE LITURGY AT ALL SAINTS. *
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SUNDAY'S HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 21:33-42
For the explicatory and the exegetical: see this week's children's magazine (Issue 201); all of us - whatever our age - are spiritual children- all laity are pupils not teachers; no-one can rest on their laurels thanking that they have nothing left to learn. The children's magazine, which is read with appreciation by tens of thousands of families, is filled with useful teaching.
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THE CORRECT APPROACH TO HOLY SCRIPTURE
The opening line of today’s Epistle is the key to today’s Gospel. Correct interpretation of Holy Scripture is not a personal matter (see 2 Peter 1:20). Christ speaks in parables so as to feed those who are ready to be fed but not force-feed those who are not; in doing so, He continues the rabbinical tradition of teaching and this is emulated by the Orthodox Church in our liturgical life, in prayer and in song. Holy Scripture is a divine revelation understood only correctly by and within the Church. The Gospels are the principal book of the Church and a product of the Church. And it is within the Church that Holy Scripture is preserved. There is no such thing as ‘direct access’ to the inner meaning of Holy Scripture. We cannot – and should not ever try to - circumvent the living interpretation of the Holy Spirit. Outside of the Church there is confusion and error and lies; within the Church there is the fullness of the charismatic revelation. Only in the Holy Spirit, who has guided the Church for 2,000+ years, are we able to read Scripture correctly, and go from the Synoptic Kingdom to Saint John’s concept of eternal life, and from Saint Paul’s Christology to the Patristic theology of the Holy Trinity. We ought therefore always to read Scripture ‘patristically’, for the Holy Fathers show us how to read Scripture correctly, and today’s parable is no exception.
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PARISH WHATSAPP GROUP
This is your group. Please contribute.
Share edifying materials, topical items and news links, request prayers, communicate, bond, build community
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ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Those quiet, humble, committed people - the 'good servants' - who serve in our parish.
Those who tithe.
Subdeacon Aaron - for cleaning the thymiato (censer), and attending to cleaning the loo.
Presbytera Susanna and Emily Katherine - for washing ecclesiastical fabrics.
Daniel O. - repairs and many other little (but important) tasks.
Emily Katherine - for flowers for the holy temple.
Ieremias (Jeremy) - has joined the choir; fitting in nicely!
Ted - for organic bread, vegetables.
Harry (katekhoumenos) - for thanksgiving.
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YOUR PRAYERS
That we will truly serve God, and truly love our neighbour.
For an appropriate man to serve our parish as Reader.
***Three Orthodox Christian couples in our parish preparing for holy matrimony.***
Delia, Adrian, Andrada, Ecaterina - driving home today, and next couple of days.
Serafim & Paraskevi - travelling home (next Saturday).
Savvas - baking prosforon. May God give him strength.
James - unwell.
Rachel (non-Christian) - May God give healing and faith.
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With love and prayers, in Christ God,

Father Jakob
sinner and unworthy presbyter

Please feel free to post online and share with friends and family

Glory to God! Here is issue 201 of our weekly children's magazine.
29/08/2026

Glory to God! Here is issue 201 of our weekly children's magazine.

23/08/2026

ALL SAINTS: NOTICES - - APODOSIS OF THE FALLING-ASLEEP OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, 2026

RICH IN SPIRIT...?
'It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.' These words of Christ, from today's Holy Gospel (Matthew 19:16-26) are known to all of us. We certainly should not feel that the rich man "deserves" his fate. We who may not be rich in financial terms, may be so in other ways, in charm, physical strength, education, special skills- all of which are combustible fuel for pride and conceit. We may even be rich in worldly goods but not consumed and swallowed by such things, although this is, as our Lord is telling us, very rare! Certainly, whatever riches we have we should offer back to God as a thanksgiving offering (see below).
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GIVING THANKS
We should thank God for all that He does for us.
Thank Him for your many blessings.
Even when life is difficult or unhappy there is something to be joyful for. And we Christians always remember that Jesus Christ is triumphant, He is Risen from the dead!
As an offering of thanks for good fortune- a new baby, recovery from illness, new job, pay rise, new home, etc.: Always buy a gift for the church or donate some money- it doesn't have to be a big gift. Even something tiny is precious (read Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4); bake a phanouropita (Saint Phanourios cake) or a prosforon or a cob (round loaf) and bring it to church to be blessed and shared.
Always celebrate birthdays and name days by bringing a prosforon to church for the Artoklasia.
Make kolyva for the Memorial for the Departed to be served in church.
It is always a wonderful and blessed thing when children give to God.
All of us should make sacrifices to God. Give away good condition toys and clothes and games to charity, to the poor. Don't give trashy or worn out things, but things which you love. This is genuine charity.
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SANCTIFICATION OF THE HOME, OR SECULARISATION OF THE HOME...?
Each year, following the Holy Theofania (6th January), the faithful Orthodox Christian faithful invite the priest to bless their home. It is always joyful and prudent that we have our home blessed!
Some homes have been blessed many times, every year; others blessed infrequently; some others have never been blessed. Where the house is 'mixed' Orthodox/non-Orthodox there is no reason for not seeking a blessing. With a gentle and persistent explanation of its importance, with love and consideration, the blessing of the home can usually be made without controversy.
It is now eight months and ten days since the Theofania- two thirds of this year have already elapsed. This is a reminder that if you want to invite the priest to bless your home, you should ask.
Please be aware that although the priest would very much love your home to be blessed, he will never come uninvited.
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ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Those quiet, humble, committed people - the 'good servants' - who serve in our parish.
Our patrons/benefactors who have come forward to purchase small items for katekhoumens and for our holy temple.
Our dedicated editorial/production team and all who help share the children's magazine. We have reached our 200th issue!
Natasha, Samuel - name days. Many years!
Ted - for organic eggs, bread, vegetables.
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YOUR PRAYERS
That we will truly serve God, and truly love our neighbour.
***Three Orthodox Christian couples in our parish preparing for holy matrimony.***
Elizabeth (newly-illumined) - Reposed in the Lord. Memory Eternal!
Serafim & Paraskevi - travelling abroad.
Savvas - Unwell. May God give him strength.
Maria - facing difficult challenges.
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With love and prayers, in Christ God,

Father Jakob
sinner and unworthy presbyter

Please feel free to post online and share with friends and family

All Glory to God! Here is the 200th issue of our weekly children's magazine.
22/08/2026

All Glory to God! Here is the 200th issue of our weekly children's magazine.

16/08/2026

ALL SAINTS: NOTICES - - AFTERFEAST OF THE FALLING-ASLEEP OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, 2026

'GOOD SERVANT', OR 'EVIL SERVANT...?
In today's Holy Gospel lection (Matthew 18:23-35), we hear about the 'evil servant' (δοῦλε πονηρέ- 'thoulē ponirē'; effectively, also, a 'servant of the evil-one'). We should understand that the 'merciful King' depicted is God; the 'evil servant' is the hard-hearted and recalcitrant sinner; the 'throttled servant' is each and every person whom I have mistreated (physically, psychologically, etc.) or considered mistreating; the 'fellow servants' are the scandalised brethren. But, where am I...? To answer this question I could use this lection as a matrix to generate some self examination:
Do I honour and love god; do I serve Him to the best of my ability?
Am I truly aware of all that I owe to God; do I demonstrate sufficient gratitude?
Am I disproportionately offended by trivial things; do I 'lord it' over others?
Do I forgive those indebted to me?
Am I a fraud - a hypocrite who neither truly loves God nor truly loves my sister/brother?
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SANCTIFICATION OF THE HOME, OR SECULARISATION OF THE HOME...?
Each year, following the Holy Theofania (6th January), the faithful Orthodox Christian faithful invite the priest to bless their home. It is always joyful and prudent that we have our home blessed!
Some homes have been blessed many times, every year; others blessed infrequently; some others have never been blessed. Where the house is 'mixed' Orthodox/non-Orthodox there is no reason for not seeking a blessing. With a gentle and persistent explanation of its importance, with love and consideration, the blessing of the home can usually be made without controversy.
It is now eight months and ten days since the Theofania- two thirds of this year have already elapsed. This is a reminder that if you want to invite the priest to bless your home, you should ask.
Please be aware that although the priest would very much love your home to be blessed, he will never come uninvited.
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ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Those quiet, humble, committed people - the 'good servants' - who serve in our parish.
Our patrons/benefactors who have come forward to purchase small items for katekhoumens and for our holy temple.
Our dedicated editorial/production team and all who help share the children's magazine. It's our 200th issue next weekend!
Subdeacon Aaron - for purchasing a small and very nice book-shelf for choir books.
Daniel O. - for service in the holy altar, repositioning the old choir lectern before the Crucifixion eikon, and numerous other odd jobs. Many years upon his birthday!
Savvas (Gareth) - regularly baking beautiful prosfora.
Elizabeth - received on Friday by Holy Chrismation. Her godmother, Presbytera Susanna.
Nataliya - 100% pass rate from her GCSE students. She - instinctively - gave all glory to God for this blessing and made a gift to the parish!
Ted - for organic eggs, bread, vegetables.
Paraskevi & Serafim - for black sacks and cleaning materials.
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YOUR PRAYERS
That we will truly serve God, and truly love our neighbour.
***Orthodox Christian couples in our parish preparing for holy matrimony.***
Elizabeth (newly-illumined) - In hospice care. Help her, and Ted, if you are able.
Subdeacon Aaron, Emily Katherine, Irene - travelling, various days this week.
Michael - travelling on Friday.
Adam - travelling, today, to the US to begin two years of study.
Serafim - change of job.
Savvas - may God give him strength in his work.
Maria - facing difficult challenges.
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With love and prayers, in Christ God,

Father Jakob
sinner and unworthy presbyter

Please feel free to post online and share with friends and family

Glory to God, here is issue 199 of our weekly children's magazine. Happy Feast!
15/08/2026

Glory to God, here is issue 199 of our weekly children's magazine. Happy Feast!

09/08/2026

ALL SAINTS: NOTICES - - AFTERFEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION, 2026

CHRIST IS TRANSFIGURED!
SATURDAY, 15th AUGUST - DIVINE LITURGY
FALLING-ASLEEP OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD (one of the twelve Great Feasts)
Holy Temple opens at 09:30

TODAY'S HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 17:14-23 (Tenth Sunday of Matthew)
Here we have an example of great faith (from the loving father who asks Christ that his son be healed), an example of weak faith and miscomprehension (from the disciples), and a display of the omnipotence and compassion of Christ God.
Christ reminds us that suffering and death are coming – for Him and for us - but so, too, is the glorious Resurrection. Our own (personal, communal) resurrection is enabled by the grace of God; to become an active and participating Christian requires of us a humble heart and the willingness to bear our cross.
The disciples had previously failed to heal the epileptic. Elsewhere we read that to drive out demons requires both prayer and fasting. Faith, prayer and fasting are things especially emphasised by Christ to His followers. Fasting - from food and the passions - controls the body and tames the ego; prayer gives strength to faith and enables us to endure our struggles.
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It is clear from Holy Scripture that true Christian faith is indivisible from prayer and fasting- our Salvation is dependent upon them.
Fasting should come from the soul- it allows us to put God’s will before our own, putting our faith before our belly. And, together with prayer, fasting helps us to become more fully a true person, one made in the image and potential likeness of God. Prayer and fasting must be undertaken of our own choice, our tiny versions of the loving sacrifice which God made for us.
We have faith in a God who is LOVE. When Christ heals the boy, He does so in answer to the father’s heartfelt plea, in answer to the father’s faith. Christ is able to heal the boy because He is almighty God, but He does so because He is boundless love and compassion.
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SAINT PORPHYRIOS: marriage or celibacy?
'Rather than wearing yourself out, vainly trying to find the answer for yourself, spend all your effort in trying to love Christ with all your soul. Then He will give you, at the most suitable time, the answer that suits your soul. You’ll accept it not with force or distress, but calmly with thanksgiving. Then you’ll be freed from that question forever. You’ll walk along the right road, giving all glory to God.'
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ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Those who serve in our parish, with such dedication and love and humility.
Our editorial-production team and all who help share the magazine with children and families around the world.
Subdeacon Aaron - for cleaning in the holy altar.
Emily Katherine, Michael, Delia, Adrian, Andrada, Ecaterina - for cleaning and tidying inside and out.
All who have made holy confession during the fast.
Nataliya - for olive oil.
Ted - for organic bread and vegetables.
Daniel (altar-server) - birthday on Thursday.
Harry (katekhoumen) - birthday on Wednesday.
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YOUR PRAYERS
That we will truly love God and truly love our neighbour.
***Orthodox Christian couples in our parish preparing for holy matrimony.***
Savvas - unwell.
Serafim - important decision regarding employment opportunities.
Maria - facing challenges.
Susannah & James; Angel - travelling today.
Gabriela & family - travelling, Thursday.
Delia, Adrian, Andrada, Ecaterina - travelling Friday-Sunday.
Elizabeth (katekhoumen) - severely unwell. Help her, and Ted, if you are able.
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CHRIST IS TRANSFIGURED!

With love and prayers, in Christ God,

Father Jakob
sinner and unworthy presbyter

Please feel free to post online and share with friends and family

Glory to God! Here is issue 198 of our weekly children's magazine.
08/08/2026

Glory to God! Here is issue 198 of our weekly children's magazine.

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North Benfleet Hall Road
Basildon
SS129JR

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