What is the Greek Orthodox Church?
The Greek Orthodox Church is a member of the wider Eastern (Christian) Orthodox community. There are four 'ancient' Patriarchs - or Fathers - of the Eastern Orthodox Church;
The Patriarch of Constantinople (also known as the 'Oecumenical Patriarchate', and 'first-among-equals') responsible for Constantinople, and those Orthodox Christians who live and worship outside one of the geographical areas covered by the other Patriarchates (hence the term 'Oecumenical')
The Patriarch of Alexandria, responsible for Alexandria and Africa,
The Patriarch of Jerusalem, responsible for Jerusalem and Arabia, and
The Patriarch of Antioch, responsible for Antioch and 'all the east'.
There are five 'junior' Patriarchs, responsible for Bulgaria, Georgia, Serbia, Moscow and Romania.
The Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain is one of the provinces of the Oecumenical Patriarchate, as it is outside the geographical areas served by the other Patriarchs.
Whom does the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen serve?
Although theoretically attached to the Greek Orthodox Church in Leeds, we are a pan-orthodox community; that is, we serve and support Orthodox Christians of any ethnicity, wherever they have previously worshipped, provided that they were baptised or chrismated into one of the churches listed above. Many of our congregation are passing through, perhaps students at the Universities of York or on temporary work contracts here from abroad, and we have stopped being surprised at the diverse nationalities who turn up on our doorstep! They are all made very welcome. We are a small and very friendly community who also welcome visitors; if you are interested in our faith you are welcome to join us. Please note though, that communion is reserved for those who have been baptised Orthodox, or chrismated. Everyone is welcome to share the blessed bread given at the end of the Liturgy.
Why Saints Constantine and Helen?
Saint Constantine was proclaimed Augustus of the Roman Empire here in York in 309AD. Although he never performed any miracles (usually required to establish saint-hood) he is recognised as a Saint because of his liberation of the early Christian church from oppression throughout the Roman Empire. He formally converted to Christianity on his death-bed. His mother, Helena (a Bithynian Greek) was Christian and heavily influenced her son.