The Journey Home, from Halifax to Antioch, Part 1

34 believers were either baptised or chrismated for God and St Hilda's Orthodox Church, Halifax

VIDEOS

The Baptism of Harvey (Elliott) taking the name "Vladimir".

The chrismation of Doug (Clark) taking the name "Caedmon" and his wife Rachael, taking the name "Anna" mother of the Theotokos.

The Procession around the font, so long it had to be three circuits around the perimeter of the School Hall!

GALLERY

In 2018 Pastor Doug Clark with his wife and children, together with one other family, moved from the south of England to Halifax in West Yorkshire. Founding Hope Church in a socially deprived area of their new hometown. Soon, after having searched Holy Scripture, they began their journey to Orthodoxy.

During the Covid pandemic, Pastor Doug started researching more deeply into Orthodox beliefs, such as the eucharistic Presence of our Lord, baptism, confession, and Mary as Theotokos, and began teaching about them in church. However, it was only after attending Vespers at St Aidan’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Manchester in 2024 that Doug was convinced that they had to become part of the Orthodox Church.

Despite all the obstacles, Doug reached out to Fr. Gregory Hallam, Priest at St. Aidan’s, who happily agreed to guide Doug, and the members of Hope Church into the Antiochian Orthodox Church. In February of 2025 the process officially began with most of the members of Hope Church, along with others interested in joining the Orthodox Church being received as Catechumens.

On September 6^th having made their life confessions, 34 Catechumens were received by Baptism and Chrismation into the Antiochian Orthodox Church in a service presided over by His Eminence, Silouan, Metropolitan of the British Isles and Ireland, assisted by Fr. Gregory from St Aidan’s, Manchester, Fr. Michael from St Constantine’s, York and several other clergy. The service was held in the main hall at Dean Field Primary School where, until recently the community had held its Sunday services, though the room was barely big enough to hold the candidates, their Godparents, families and well-wishers. The service concluded with Doug Clark, now known as Caedmon, received Holy Communion in preparation for his ordination to the Diaconate.

Reader Stephen Nendick

[Part 2 continues this story]