The Red Egg Easter is a special time of year for all Orthodox homes. Preparations are made for our spiritual journey towards Pascha, which includes extra Church Services, fasting, prayer, Confession and alms giving. On the ascent towards Pascha, we have the tradition of dyeing eggs on Holy Thursday. In the Greek tradition, the eggs are dyed red while in other Orthodox jurisdictions these may be dyed multiple colours. The custom of the Easter egg originated amongst the early Christians of Mesopotamia, who dyed the eggs red to represent the blood of Christ, which was shed on the Cross. The [...]

The most natural thing an Orthodox Christian can do is to kiss his 'spiritual family', including the icons of the Saints, Holy Relics, the Cross, the Gospel, as well as kissing the priest's hand. It is an ancient custom signifying love, respect and reverence: as it is Christ Himself that we encounter and experience through these holy things. St Paul instructs us to "greet one another with a holy kiss" (2 Cor 13:12); hence we greet the priest or bishop by making a bow and saying, "Father bless", kissing his right hand. When a priest is ordained, he receives the [...]

Vasilopita On January 1st we observe a tradition, both in our churches and in our homes, which has been handed down from the 4th century. It is the baking and cutting of the sweet bread (or cake) known as the Vasilopita (Βασιλόπιτα), aptly named after St Basil the Great. St Basil came from a Christian family, and is considered one of the most wise and compassionate clergymen in the entire history of the Church! He was made Bishop of Cappadocia in Caesarea, and was the first to establish orphanages, hospitals and age-care homes. We are told that during a time [...]

Our Orthodox Customs Incense “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling fragrance”. (Eph 5:2) Anyone who walks into an Orthodox church cannot remain unmoved by what they encounter. All their SENSES will be heightened as they take in the iconography, the sound of chanting, the lighting of candles and oil lamps, the taste of the Bread and Wine and the sweet smell of incense filling their being. The use of incense is traced back to the Old Testament when God [...]

Namedays When a child is born it is given a name that will stay with them (unless changed) for the rest of their life. Traditionally, people choose names to express continuity with their family, i.e, they will ‘recycle’ the names of parents, grandparents and other relatives. Orthodox Christians have long chosen the names of Saints to proclaim their link with their spiritual family, the Church. Every day of the year is dedicated to the memory of at least one Saint or Martyr, as well as events in our Church (Resurrection, Transfiguration) and others (Angels, Holy Cross, Memory of Relics). Mostly [...]