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orthodox ireland

The Antiochian Orthodox Church of St. Ignatius
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Orthodox Belfast


We at Saint George support the work of Fr. Irenaeus and Khouria Genevieve, Antiochian Orthodox missionaries to Ireland. They are currently serving three missions, one in Belfast, one in Dublin, and one in Armagh. Fr. Irenaeus also leads spiritual pilgrimages of Ireland where one can walk in the physical and spiritual footsteps of the ancient Irish saints.

Below are some links to this work and a description of a visit made to Belfast in the summer of 2006 by Athanasius and Nektaria Blalock.

The website of the Antiochian Orthodox Church of St Ignatius, Belfast, Northern Ireland. CLICK HERE

The website of Orthodox Ireland Pilgrimages. CLICK HERE

Read about St. George Parishioners 2006 trip to Ireland. CLICK HERE

Read about St. George Parishioners 2008 pilgrimage to Ireland. CLICK HERE

If you would like to contribute to the mission work of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Ireland CLICK HERE.


Belfast Updates


May 2008

In May of 2008 four of the members of St. George, Portland--Don and Karen West, and Athanasius and Nektaria Blalock--journeyed to Ireland to make a pilgrimage to the holy sites sponsored by St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church, Belfast. It was a time of joyful fellowship, prayer, learning, and renewal that will remain in our memories for the rest of our lives. During this time we were able to visit the parish in Belfast, where we had Vespers, Matins, and Divine Liturgy. We were also hosted for two meals where we were able to get to know some of the parishioners.

The parish is in the process of arranging the purchase of the entire church property where they are now holding services in a small chapel. The church building is currently owned by the Anglicans, and the congregation is entirely too small to support such a facility. The Anglican congregation, and their bishop are in favor of selling the property to the Antiochian Orthodox congregation. Now all that is needed is the financing. The larger facility is needed, since St. Ignatius is “busting at the seams” and continuing to grow. One of the difficulties is that the people responding to the Gospel in Belfast are not wealthy people, as far as this world measures wealth. That means it is up to the rest of us to assist in this mission work. If you have any questions about how you can help in this mission, or about the purchase of this property, you may email Fr. Irenaeus at: irenaeus@btopenworld.com

Father Irenaeus and Athanasius Blalock
Father Irenaeus and Athanasius Blalock in Kells


Father John in Saul, Ireland
Fr. John Musther

September 2006
A New Home for the Belfast Mission

The mission in Belfast has now moved from the cramped quarters seen in the photos below to the lovely space pictured above. The vision of the parish includes purchasing this building where they are now renters. This will take a miracle—of course, but then everything that has happened here has been a miracle. Be prepared to contribute generously to this miracle and receive the blessings thereof.

The following is an email sent to people on Fr. Irenaeus's contacts list. It is very interesting to note that on the second anniversary of this parish they already have sixteen students in the St. Stephen's course.

Beloved

Just a few details for us to put in our diaries

1 This Sunday we will have some of the group of the Orthodox Ireland Pilgrimage with us and it will be a unique experience that has never happened in Orthodoxy here in Belfast or in Northern Ireland before.... we will be three Priests and one Deacon concelebrating at Divine Liturgy at 11 am. Please join us for this memorable occasion and also stay for something to eat afterwards.

2 Sunday the 1st of October we will celebrate our second birthday as a Parish Church and we indeed have much to be thankful to the Lord for. I am sure that there will be extra nice afters for us to feast on!

3 This year we have a record ten students who have registered for the St Stephen's three year Diploma course in Orthodox Applied Theology which leads to a Masters degree when combined with a fourth year research dissertation. ( We also have six second year students) For some of our students this is really a step of faith.... especially in the area of finances for tuition and reference books. Please keep them in prayer, but also consider whether you should not join hands with them by financially supporting this worthy cause. All love offerings for student fees and also for us to buy extra handbooks to put in the student reference library should be clearly marked student fund"

Love in Christ
Fr Irenaeus