Ordination to the Holy Priesthood of Fr Dn Caedmon at St Hilda, Halifax on Sunday 26 July 2026
- Reverend Fr Gregory Hallam
- Jul 27
- 9 min read
This is a selection of a full photo album, the link for which is here: Photo Album
The Archbishop's homily is in full on this page but also as a file here:
An Account of the Day
Venue: St Malachy's Catholic Church, Halifax by kind permission of the parish.
Day: Sunday 26 July 2026 Feast: Martyr Parakevi of Rome
After a pleasant and happy time together at an evening meal at his hotel with the Clergy and their wives, the bishop gathered together with his people, the deacon and the assisting clergy, at the church the following day for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
In this service Sayedna first gave the epigonation to Father Stavros, enabling him to be a confessor for the community alongside the parish priest, Father Gregory. The Liturgy then proceeded to include the ordination of Father Deacon Caedmon to the Holy Priesthood. A great number of believers from the Halifax community had gathered together, with others, to acclaim: "Axios! he is worthy!" at the point of the descent of the Holy Spirit, following the Bishop's prayer with the laying on of hands.
The Archbishop preached a homily before Holy Communion - an inspiring sermon on the theme of the calling of the priesthood and its role in serving the people of God (see below and in the linked files).
The Archbishop also announced to the people that the Community would no longer have a Mission status but now become the Parish of St Hilda in light of the fact that so much progress had been made in every aspect of Church life in just under a year. Father Caedmon was now a priest in charge under the continuing training of Father Gregory and Father Stavros, with Father Gregory remaining a parish priest for one year. The spiritual burden of hearing confessions would not be required of Father Caedmon for a little while while he established himself in the liturgical rites and other pastoral duties.
A Reception was then held with an Agape buffet lunch at Halifax Golf Club. Gifts were exchanged, and a very happy band of people then dispersed to their homes.
Sermon for the Ordination of Father Deacon Caedmon to the Holy Priesthood
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved Fathers, brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is a day of great joy and thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit has once again visited His Church and has called another labourer into His holy vineyard. Today our beloved Father Deacon Caedmon is ordained to the sacred priesthood, and we all rejoice because Christ continues to care for His Church by raising up shepherds after His own heart.
Every priestly ordination reminds us that the Church is alive. The Lord has not abandoned His people. He continues to call men to leave everything behind and dedicate their whole lives to Him and to the salvation of His people.
The priesthood is not an honour. It is not a reward for education or ability. It is not a position of authority. It is a life of sacrifice. It is a cross. It is the calling to lay down one’s life every day for Christ and for His flock.
The holy Fathers teach us that there is no greater ministry on earth than the priesthood. Saint John Chrysostom says that the priest stands on earth while ministering heavenly things. He offers the Holy Sacrifice, blesses God’s people, forgives sins by the grace given through Christ, and places into the hands of the faithful the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even the holy angels stand in reverence before the mystery that is celebrated upon the Holy Altar.
Today we also give thanks to God for the remarkable journey of Father Caedmon.
He faithfully served Christ according to the light he had received within the Protestant Church. Yet when the Holy Spirit revealed to him the fullness of the Orthodox Faith, he responded with courage and humility. He did not count the cost. He chose the truth because he desired Christ above all else.
His witness did not end with his own reception into the Orthodox Church. Through his faith, love and example, he led many of those who worshipped alongside him to embrace the Orthodox Faith. This reminds us of the words of our Lord:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
After entering the Orthodox Church, Father Caedmon desired not simply to belong to the Church, but to serve her faithfully. He enrolled in our Archdiocesan E-Quip theological programme. Throughout his studies he demonstrated diligence, humility and dedication. He completed every subject with distinction and achieved the highest marks in the programme.
Yet the Church does not ordain a man because he has knowledge alone.
Knowledge fills the mind.
Prayer fills the heart.
Holiness transforms the whole person.
The priesthood requires all three.
The Church has recognised in Father Caedmon not only theological understanding, but also humility, obedience, faithfulness, and a sincere desire to serve every person who comes to him seeking Christ.
Dear Father Caedmon,
Today Christ entrusts His flock into your hands.
These people do not belong to you.
They belong to Christ.
Never forget that you are not called to build your own ministry.
You are called to reveal Christ.
You are not ordained to make disciples for yourself.
You are ordained to lead every soul to Jesus Christ.
You are called to love them, pray for them, teach them, comfort them, strengthen them in times of weakness, rejoice with them in times of blessing, and weep with them in times of sorrow.
Your ministry has one purpose.
The salvation of every soul.
Everything else is secondary.
Our Lord does not simply call Himself a shepherd.
He calls Himself the Good Shepherd.
What does it mean to be a good shepherd?
A shepherd knows his sheep.
He calls them by name.
He walks before them.
He searches for the one who has wandered away.
He binds the wounds of the injured.
He strengthens the weak.
He comforts the fearful.
He protects the flock from wolves.
He does not abandon his sheep when danger comes.
Our Lord says,
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
This is the model of every Orthodox priest.
Dear Father Caedmon,
Today Christ calls you to become an icon of the Good Shepherd.
Not because you replace Christ, for there is only one true Shepherd of the Church.
Rather, you are ordained to make His presence visible among His people.
When the people look at you, they should see something of Christ’s compassion.
When they hear you preach, they should hear the voice of Christ calling them to repentance.
When they come to confession, they should encounter the mercy of Christ.
When they receive the Holy Mysteries from your hands, they should recognise the love of Christ who feeds His flock with His own Body and Blood.
The shepherd never asks,
“What can these people do for me?”
He asks,
“How can I lead these souls safely into the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Remember that every person who enters your church is carrying a burden that others cannot see.
Some come with grief.
Some with fear.
Some with doubts.
Some with broken families.
Some with hidden sins.
Some simply longing to know that God still loves them.
Receive every person with the compassion of Christ.
Correct with gentleness.
Teach with patience.
Encourage with hope.
Never humiliate anyone.
Never close the door of repentance.
Never despair of any soul, because Christ never despairs of anyone who turns to Him.
Always remember that these sheep belong to Christ.
You are not their owner.
You are their servant.
One day you will stand before the Chief Shepherd and give an account for every soul entrusted to your care.
This is why the priesthood is both a great joy and a great responsibility.
It is a joy because Christ allows you to share in His saving work.
It is a responsibility because every soul is infinitely precious in His sight.
Saint Gregory the Theologian writes that a priest must first be purified before he can purify others, first be taught by God before teaching others, first become light before enlightening others, first draw near to God before bringing others near to Him.
Never cease striving for your own repentance.
Never imagine that ordination is the end of your journey.
Today is only the beginning.
The closer you come to Christ, the more your people will see Christ reflected in you.
When our Lord restored Saint Peter after his denial, He did not ask him whether he was educated.
He did not ask whether he was talented.
He asked only one question:
“Do you love Me?”
And after Peter answered,
Christ said,
“Feed My sheep.”
Love for Christ is the foundation of every priestly ministry.
Today, Father Caedmon, I wish to present you with a simple gift.
A prayer rope.
Some may see only wool tied into knots.
But the Church sees something far greater.
Every knot is a prayer.
Every prayer is an act of love.
Every prayer is a step towards the Kingdom of God.
This prayer rope is more precious than gold, because it reminds us that the strength of a priest is never found in himself.
It is found in Christ.
Father Caedmon, today I place this prayer rope into your hands.
It is more valuable than any earthly treasure, because it reminds us that the salvation of a priest begins on his knees.
Every knot represents a soul entrusted to your care.
Every prayer becomes an offering before the throne of God.
Never allow a day to pass without standing before Christ and carrying your people in prayer.
Before you stand at the Holy Altar, stand in prayer.
Before you preach to the people, speak to God.
Before you teach the people, pray for them.
Before you hear confessions, pray for those who are coming.
Before every decision, pray.
Before every visit, pray.
When people praise you, pray.
When people criticise you, pray.
When you are joyful, pray.
When you are tired, pray.
When you know what to do, pray.
When you do not know what to do, pray even more.
If you keep this prayer rope close to your heart, Christ will keep His flock close to His.
My dear brothers and sisters,
This gift is not only for Father Caedmon.
It is a reminder to every one of us.
Prayer is not one activity among many.
Prayer is the very life of the Church.
Without prayer, no Christian can grow into the likeness of Christ.
Without prayer, no family can remain united.
Without prayer, no priest can fulfil his ministry.
Without prayer, no parish can accomplish its mission.
A parish without prayer easily becomes a place of meetings, activities and social gatherings.
It may be busy.
It may appear successful in the eyes of the world.
But if prayer is absent, it has forgotten its true purpose.
The purpose of the Church is not simply to organise activities.
The purpose of the Church is the salvation of souls.
Everything we do, every Divine Liturgy we celebrate, every sacrament we serve, every ministry we undertake, every charitable work we perform, every meeting we organise, every class we teach, must lead people to one destination.
To Jesus Christ.
Because only in Him is salvation.
And only in His Holy Orthodox Church do we receive the fullness of the faith once delivered to the saints, the grace of the Holy Mysteries, and the path that leads to eternal life.
Therefore, I ask every member of this parish today:
Pray for your priest.
Love him.
Support him.
Forgive his weaknesses, just as he must patiently bear yours.
Walk together with your priest, but always behind Christ, for He alone is the Good Shepherd. The priest follows Christ, and the faithful follow Christ with their priest. When this happens, the parish becomes a true icon of the Kingdom of God, where the Shepherd and His flock journey together towards eternal life.
May the Most Holy Theotokos protect our newly ordained priest beneath her precious veil.
May the Holy Apostles strengthen him.
May Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Gregory the Theologian intercede for him, that he may worthily fulfil the ministry entrusted to him.
May the Holy Spirit grant him wisdom, humility, purity, courage, patience and unfailing love.
And may Father Caedmon’s ministry bring many souls into the Kingdom of Heaven, so that one day, together with those entrusted to his care, he may hear the joyful words of our Lord:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
To our Lord Jesus Christ be all glory, honour and worship, together with His Father Who is without beginning, and His all holy, good and life giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
+Silouan
Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland
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