Welcome to the Parish of St. John of Kronstadt
An Orthodox parish within the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Regular services
We worship at the church of St. John the Baptist, St. John’s Road, Bathwick. Our regular services each week are:
Saturday, 5pm: Vespers or Vigil
Note there will be no service of Vespers on the evening of Saturday 15th August after the feast of the Dormition.
Sunday, 11am: Divine Liturgy
Monday, 6pm: Jesus Prayer at the Convent
Wednesday, 5pm: Vespers at the Convent
God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness”(Gen 1:26). Everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14).
Whoever you are, whatever your story, we hope to welcome you when you join us in worship or fellowship.
On Sundays the Divine Liturgy lasts around two hours, and everybody is welcome to join us for a bring-and-share lunch after the service.
Our community is made of people of many nationalities. Our services are all in English, although some litanies are sung in different languages.
Additional events
Wednesday 24th June, 9.30am
Divine Liturgy at the Convent in celebration of the Nativity of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John
Throughout June
Local churches and community groups are screening the Climate Emergency film
Details of dates and locations are in our newsletter, and you can access the film directly here.
Saturday 27th June, 5pm
Vigil anticipating by one day the feast of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul
Sunday 28th June, 11am
Divine Liturgy anticipating by one day the feast of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul
Wednesday 1st July, 7.45pm for 8pm
The final study evening, where Mother Sarah will give a talk on the teaching of Elder Tadej entitled Transmitting Peace. Details by email.
Saturday 4th July, 10.30am
Pilgrimage and Divine Liturgy in the Saxon church of St. Laurence, Bradford on Avon
Our annual pilgrimage to the Saxon church of St Laurence will take place on Saturday 4th July. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10.30 am, followed by a picnic. If you would like to walk, all or part of the way, from St John's church in Bath to the Saxon church please call Mike Henderson on 07796 271158. NOTE: the road adjacent to the church will have highly limited access due to a street fair taking place; please park elsewhere and walk to the Liturgy if you are able.
Saturday 11th July
10:15am: Mendip Hills walk
A lovely mixed terrain walk that goes through the market square at Axbridge. The walk is 9 miles and will take 3.5 hours plus a refreshment stop. We shall take a break at the Lamb Inn, Axbridge. Meet at The Mendip Activity Centre Car Park at 10.15, Lyncombe Drive, Sandford, Churchill, Winscombe BS25 5PQ. Those interested please contact Nick Adams.
10:30am: work party to dewax the church carpets, coinciding with a coffee morning hosted by the Anglican parish.
Wednesday 5th August, 7pm
Vigil for the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Thursday 6th August, 8am
Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, followed by breakfast
Friday 14th August, 7pm
Vigil for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
Saturday 15th August, time TBC
Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
Note there will be no service of Vespers on the evening of Saturday 15th August after the feast of the Dormition.
Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September
Parish weekend away at Hebron Hall, Vale of Glamorgan.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better in a relaxed and informal setting, with plenty of activities as well as time to talk. Children are welcome, new members are encouraged to attend, and all will appreciate the chance for a longer conversation than Sundays provide. Please e-mail James Jackson who is keeping a list of all those attending, along with any dietary requirements. rossroad@igmx.com
Sunday School
We have a number of families with children in our congregation. Once a month the main sermon is prepared with children in mind. On several Sundays we also offer teaching for children of all ages in the church hall.
Sunday School and other children’s activities are led by qualified teachers, or by adults who have been DBS-certified. If you would like to see a copy of our Vulnerable Person Protection Policy, please contact us.
Our designated officers are Phil Lytra and Zoe Bates who can be contacted at stjsafeguarding@yahoo.com.
A prayer for Ukraine
O Lord our God, we turn to you in ardent prayer for Ukraine and its people, whether still in Ukraine or refugees in other lands. Protect those who live in terror, under bombardment, those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, those who have been forced to flee.
True Helper in times of trouble, grant us the wisdom to be always on the side of the defenceless, and sustain us with your teaching of loving kindness, human kinship and faithful justice.
For on your Holy Cross you bore all the pain and the sin of the world, and in your Resurrection you overcame sin, death and injustice, and we give you glory, together with your eternal Father and your Holy Spirit, the One True God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
A prayer for the Middle East
Have mercy O Lord upon all who suffer because of the conflict in the Middle East. We beseech you to bring a halt to violence, to bring peace, to end hatred.
In this time of unimaginable heartbreak, speak peace to those who have the power to end the violence. Give courage, inspiration and clear judgement to those who work for peace. Grant compassion and restraint in all those places where it is so desperately needed.
Strengthen and uphold all those who work to relieve suffering, care for the sick, tend the wounded. Open the channels which provide basic necessities to those in desperate need.
We pray especially for those who are grieving, the injured and those without food, shelter or medicine. Protect all those who live in fear.
Open the doors of your heavenly kingdom to all those who have died. May they know the joy and peace of your kingdom, free of all pain, sorrow and fear.
Give us strength of faith to go on praying, compassionate hearts which do not become hardened, and faithfulness to your truth and justice.
Amen.
Donate to us
Any donations towards the life and work of our parish are much appreciated. The easiest way to do so is through our Stewardship giving page. You can access it by clicking the button below.
