The Community of the Archangel Gabriel, Glasgow

In 2013 the community was kindly provided with a crypt room underneath the Wellington Church, University Avenue, by the Church of Scotland.

This room was completely renovated into a chapel by Bishop Augustine; it is dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel and to the loving memory of the episcopacy of Archbishop Gabriel, whose love, desire to share this Pearl of Great Price and influence are an inspiration to the life of the community.

We have seen a desperate need in Glasgow for the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ, contained in its fullness in the Orthodox Church and our community hopes to begin to fulfil this need by celebrating our beautiful liturgical services in English, by being available to teach, preach, give spiritual support and visit the sick.

We want you to know that:

• You are welcome here. We are always honoured to have visitors join us for prayer and worship.
• All of our services are in English.
• You won’t be asked to do anything which would make you uncomfortable.
• We don’t expect visitors to contribute anything to the financial support of our chapel, parish or our programmes unless they want to.
• Our children worship with us. If you have young children, they are welcome here, too.
• If you are an Orthodox Christian, and you have prepared yourself to receive Holy Communion according to your Spiritual Father’s direction, be sure to introduce yourself to our priest before the service.
• We do not expect women to wear head coverings if they do not want to.

A few facts about the Orthodox Church

• We chant or sing all our services
• We fast before Holy Communion
• We believe every human is an icon of God, made in the image and likeness of our Father
• There are no pews: please stand if you are able or use a bench if you need a rest
• “Orthodox” means “straight teaching”
• Icons adorn our walls, linking our prayers with the constant worship in Heaven
• Only Orthodox Christians may receive Communion but you are welcome to have the blessed bread at the end of the Liturgy
• Our clergy can be monastic or married
• We recite the Nicene Creed (without the Filioque)