Orthodox Church Of The Holy Transfiguration Walsingham

06/04/2026

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION GREAT WALSINGHAM
SERVICE ROTA: HOLY WEEK TO PENTECOST 2026

Wed 8th April ANOINTING SERVICE 7.30 p.m.
(Anointing will also be available before the Liturgy on 9th April)

Thurs 9th April HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY Vesperal Liturgy 3.00 p.m.
Service of the 12 Gospels 7.00 p.m.

Fri 10th April HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY Vespers 2.00 p.m.

Sat 11th April HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY:
Vespers (with 15 OT readings) 2.00 p.m.
PASCHAL MATTINS AND LITURGY 10.00 p.m.
(followed by feast in Ford Cottage – please bring food to share).

Sun 12th April PASCHAL VESPERS 3.00 p.m.

Sun 19th April Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.

Tues 21st April Radonitsa (Joyful Visitation of the Graves) 9.00 a.m.
(starting at Fakenham Cemetery)

Sun 26th April Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 3rd May Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 10th May Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 17th May Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Thurs 21st May ASCENSION Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 24th May (NO SERVICE – DEANERY CONFERENCE)
Sat 30th May PENTECOST Great Vespers 6.00 p.m.
Sun 31st May PENTECOST Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.

17/03/2026

Today, 17th of March, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Patrick.

Troparion Tone 3
Holy Bishop Patrick, / faithful shepherd of Christ’s royal flock, / you filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel: / The mighty strength of the Trinity! / Now that you stand before the Savior, / pray that He may preserve us in faith and love

16/03/2026

16/03/2026

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION SERVICE ROTA
APRIL-MAY 2026
Wed 1 st April Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 10.30 a.m.
Sat 4 th April Lazarus Saturday baptisms and receptions 2.00 p.m.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES:
Sun 5 th April PALM SUNDAY Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Wed 8 th April ANOINTING SERVICE 7.30 p.m.
(Anointing will also be available before the Liturgy on 9 th April)
Thurs 9 th April HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY Vesperal Liturgy 3.00 p.m.
Fri 10 th April HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY Vespers 2.00 p.m.
Sat 12 th April HOLY AND GREAT SATURDAY Vespers (with 15 OT readings) 2.00 p.m.
PASCHAL MATTINS AND LITURGY 10.00 p.m.
(followed by feast in Ford Cottage – please bring food).
Sun 13 th April PASCHAL VESPERS 3.00 p.m.

Sun 20 th April Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 26 th April Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 3 rd May Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 10 th May Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 17 th May Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Thurs 21 st May ASCENSION Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m.
Sun 24 th May NO SERVICE – DEANERY CONFERENCE
Sat 30 th May PENTECOST Great Vespers 6.00 p.m.
Sun 31st May PENTECOST Holy Liturgy 10.30 a.m

25/01/2026

Today, January 25th, we commemorate Saint Gregory the Theologian.

Troparion Tone 1

The sweet-sounding shepherd’s pipe of your theology / overpowered the trumpeting of the orators; / for having searched the depths of the Spirit / eloquence was also bestowed upon you. / Pray to Christ God, Father Gregory, / that our souls may be saved

24/01/2026

Today, January 24th, we commemorate Saint Xenia of Rome and her two maidservants.

Troparion — Tone 3
Living the life of a stranger in the world, / you estranged yourself from every sin; / you abandoned comforts and fleeting honors / and betrothed yourself to your Immortal Bridegroom. / Glorious Xenia, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy

18/01/2026

Today, 18th January, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Athanasios the Great and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria.

Saint Athanasius was born in Alexandria around 296 and showed exceptional theological understanding from youth.

Archbishop Alexander of Alexandria mentored Athanasius, ordained him as deacon, and brought him to the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. After Alexander's death in 326, Athanasius became Patriarch of Alexandria.

When Arius (whose heresy denied Christ's full divinity) sought readmission to the Church, Athanasius refused, knowing his false repentance. This began decades of persecution. Athanasius suffered five exiles.

Despite constant persecution, Athanasius strengthened Orthodoxy throughout Egypt, was beloved as a father by all, wrote the Life of Saint Anthony the Great, ordained Saint Frumentius as first Bishop of Ethiopia, and in 367 AD officially defined the canon of Scripture we use today.

Born around 376, Cyril was nephew to Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria. After spending significant time with the monks of Nitria, he succeeded his uncle as Patriarch in 412.

In 429, Cyril learned that Nestorius, the new Patriarch of Constantinople, was teaching heresy about Christ's nature (claiming Mary wasn't truly "Theotokos"—Mother of God). Cyril first tried private letters urging Nestorius to repent. When that failed, he joined forces with Pope Celestine of Rome.

Cyril presided over the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus with 200 bishops. Through brilliant theological arguments, he exposed and condemned Nestorius's errors—though Nestorius himself refused to appear before the Council!
Beyond defeating heresy, Saint Cyril left the Church comprehensive commentaries on the Gospels of Luke and John. After shepherding Christ's Church for 32 years, he reposed in 444.

Troparion — Tone 3
You shone forth with works of Orthodoxy and quenched all heresy, / and became victorious trophy-bearers, hierarchs Athanasius and Cyril. / You enriched all things with piety and greatly adorned the Church, / and worthily found Christ God, / who grants His great mercy to all.

17/01/2026

Today, January 17th, the Orthodox commemorates Saint Anthony the Great.

Born in Lower Egypt around 251 AD to a wealthy landowning family, he was left to care for his unmarried sister at age 20 following the death of his parents.
Inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:21—"If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor" He gave away his family's lands to neighbours, sold the rest of his property, donated the proceeds to the poor, and entrusted his sister to a community of Christian virgins.

Anthony spent his first 15 years as a hermit learning from another local ascetic.
He then ventured deeper into the Nitrian Desert, where he remained for 13 years practicing extreme asceticism, sometimes fasting for days at a time.

Anthony faced intense spiritual battles with demonic temptations, including boredom, laziness, and lustful visions, which he overcame through prayer.

At age 35, Anthony withdrew into complete solitude, living enclosed in an abandoned Roman fort at Pispir for 20 years. Food was thrown over the wall to him. Despite his isolation, disciples gathered around the mountain, living in nearby caves and huts.

Around 305 AD, Anthony finally emerged.
For 5-6 years, he organized and taught the large monastic community that had formed around him. He then moved to Mount Colzim near the Red Sea, where the monastery Deir Mar Antonios still stands today.

Anthony lived there for his final 45 years. During the Diocletianic Persecutions around 311 AD, he courageously went to Alexandria to minister to imprisoned Christians.

Anthony is called the "Father of Christian Monasticism" for organizing disciples into communities that inspired similar movements throughout Egypt and beyond. Even Emperor Constantine wrote requesting his prayers.

Anthony died around 356 AD at approximately 105 years old, instructing his disciples to bury him in a simple grave near his cell.

Troparion — Tone 4
By emulating the ways of Elias the zealot, / and following the straight paths of the Baptist, / O Father Anthony, you made the desert a city, / and upheld the world by your prayers. / Therefore, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.

15/01/2026

Today, January 15th, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint John the cave dweller.

Saint John was born in Constantinople to wealthy, prominent parents. His father Eutropius was a Roman Senator, and his mother was Theodora.
At just 12 years old, John secretly left home and went to the Monastery of the Unsleeping to dedicate his life to Christ. After six years of monastic life, filled with deep love for his parents, he made the decision to return home, but disguised as a poor beggar.
For many years, John lived in a small hut right outside his own parents' gate—so close, yet unknown to them. He endured mockery and mistreatment from the very servants who had once served him, accepting it all with humility and patience.
Only when he knew his death was near did John reveal his true identity to his parents. Moments after this revelation, he peacefully reposed, around the year 450.

Troparion — Tone 4
From your early youth, / you longed with fervour for the things of the Lord. / Leaving the world and its pleasures, / you became an example of monastic life. / Most blessed John, you built your hut at the door of your parents’ house and overcame the devil’s guiles. / Therefore Christ Himself has worthily glorified you.

12/01/2026

Today, January 12th, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Tatiana of Rome.

Saint Tatiana came from a prominent Roman family—her father was a distinguished consul. Despite her prestigious background, she chose to serve Christ as a deaconess in the early Church.
When she boldly confessed her Christian faith, she faced brutal persecution and torture. But something miraculous happened: as her tormentors inflicted pain upon her, angels struck them with the same torments! Her persecutors cried out that they couldn't bear the invisible scourges being brought upon them.
Saint Tatiana was eventually martyred by beheading during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus (222-235 AD).

Troparion — Tone 4
Your lamb Tatiana, / calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, / and in seeking You, I endure suffering. / In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

10/01/2026

Today, January 10th, the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Gregory of Nyssa.

Born in 331, Saint Gregory was the younger brother of the great Saint Basil. Like his brother, who was inspired by their sister Macrina to serve God, Gregory was guided by their mother Emily toward a life of faith.
As a young man, Gregory reluctantly attended a service honoring the Forty Martyrs at his mother's request. Tired from traveling and lacking enthusiasm, he fell asleep during the service. In a powerful dream, the Forty Martyrs appeared to him, rebuking him for his laziness. This experience transformed him completely, and he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to God's service.

Troparion — Tone 4
O God of our Fathers, / always act with kindness towards us; / take not Your mercy from us, / but guide our lives in peace / through the prayers of the hierarchs Gregory and Dometian.