St Nicholas' Orthodox Church in Manchester, UK

23/07/2026

Through the prayers of St Nikolai Velimerovich, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us and save us. Amen ... ☦️

I repent for all those who are worried, who stagger under a burden of worries and do not know that they should put all their worries on You. For feeble man even the most minor worry is unbearable, but for You a mountain of worries is like a snowball thrown into a fiery furnace.

St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Prayers by the Lake.

22/07/2026

Saint of the day + Associated Hymns:

Holy New Martyr Michael Paknanas the Gardner

He had his beginning in the city of Athens, in his eighteenth year of age he struggled, he was pious and God-fearing, and his surname was Paknanas. By trade he was a gardener, by which he provided for life's needs, for he lived on little and was poor. One day, as he came to the gates of the city, those who were entrusted with guarding it, were moved by envy, and accosted him, saying that he was smuggling weapons to the armatoloi, and having slandered him, they shut him bound in prison, although the blessed one was simple and harmless and guileless. He underwent various torments because he would not deny the name of the Savior, remaining firm and steadfast in his good confession, in a superhuman and auspicious manner. Neither the flower of his youth, nor the rage of the tyrants, nor all good attachments could bring him to deny his beloved Christ. After thirty days he was removed from prison, and standing before the adversaries, he confessed again that he was a Christian. When they saw that they could not change his mind, that he disdained all things and there was nothing suspicious, they sentenced him to death. After he was beheaded at the neck by a sword, he ascended bearing a crown into the heavens, being adorned with the crown of martyrdom, for he struggled well in the contest till the end.

21/07/2026

Saint of the day - The British Isles:

Venerable Martyr Urith of Chittlehampton

Saint Urith (Uritha, Hieritha), a holy virgin and martyr of Devon, lived most probably in the sixth century, though some suggest the seventh or the early eighth century. It is traditionally believed that young Urith took up monasticism and led a holy life in chastity in Devon on the site of the present-day Chittlehampton (meaning “farm of dwellers in the hollow”)—a picturesque and tranquil village, set in the north Devon countryside, amid hills and valleys. She was most likely slain by pagan Saxons who at that time were invading much of Britain. According to a late legend, the holy maiden was born in the area of East Stowford in Devon, was a devout Christian who spent all her time in prayer and even built a small church. But, at the instigation of her wicked stepmother who was a pagan the pious girl was killed by local inhabitants—namely she was beheaded with a scythe.

Despite the conflicting versions of the form of her martyrdom, there is a firm tradition that immediately after the saint’s death a holy spring gushed forth on the same site in the drought-ridden soil and flowers (scarlet pimpernels) began to blossom. The saintly virgin was buried in Chittlehampton and a church was erected above her grave. Every year a great many pilgrims visited the wonderworking relics and the holy well of Saint Urith in Chittlehampton. Miraculous healings were performed, and people brought generous donations with them. This contributed to the appearance of the very tall, massive bell tower of the Chittlehampton church and the church itself was considerably enlarged, which is quite unusual for a small village.

Urith became one of the most celebrated saints of all Devon, believers from far and wide hastened to visit her shrine on her feast-day, and “Urith” became a popular feminine name in Devon. Love for Urith was such that her relics were annually taken from Chittlehampton and visited many neighboring parishes for veneration by all. The veneration of our saint continued through the “Age of Saints” and the Middle Ages, but was officially suppressed by the sixteenth-century Reformation, However her veneration among the pious has never ceased.

21/07/2026

On the sign of the cross ... ☦️

21/07/2026

Updated service list for the month of August in to September 2026.

19/07/2026

List of services for the remainder of this month into the 1st Sunday of the month of August 2026.

12/04/2026

Christ is Risen❣️
Xристос воскрес❣️

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter and healthy year ahead 🙏🏽 ☦️ 🪺🙏🏽

Indeed he is risen ❣️

11/04/2026

04/04/2026

03/04/2026

Good morning and a welcome invite to our following Divine Liturgies during holy Easter week ☦️