We are pleased to announce the 2025 Lenten Retreat, a day-long set of discussions, workshops, and services aimed at equipping us for our Lenten journey. Over 200 young adults attended last year’s inaugural Retreat. Join us this year for a guest homily by Rev. Hieromonk Jeremiah from the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos on Mount Athos. Other sessions include a Byzantine chant workshop, an incense-making lesson, and a themed discussion with a panel of clergy. We will begin the day with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated in English.

Lunch and refreshments are provided. The Retreat will run from 10am to 5pm at the Church of the Holy Cross & Archangel Michael in Golders Green. Please let us know if you plan to attend:

For our next expert conversation, we are pleased to welcome iconographer Aidan Hart for his reflections on beauty, its transformative potential, and its representation across art and iconography. Aidan has been painting and carving liturgical art for 40 years, and is based in Shropshire, England. After hearing from him and Q&A, there will be fellowship with snacks and drinks.

Translated literally as “offering,” the prosphoro is the bread used as the Body of Christ during the Eucharist. Traditionally, the faithful prepare this holy bread before the Divine Liturgy. Come learn how to make prosphoro, from preparation to baking the bread. We will also discuss its spiritual significance.

This event is hosted by the COTY Women’s Group in collaboration with the Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom. All are welcome. All equipment is provided, though please do bring your prosphoro seal if you own one!

The workshop is preceded by a Paraclesis service beginning at 6:30pm in the Cathedral.

This second installment in our year-long series on Faith in Modern Life will explore the theme of neighbourly love. Join our panel of clergy as we learn how to put this deep Christian calling - to love one’s neighbour - into practice in our daily lives, no matter how difficult it may be. How can we love those with whom we disagree? What does it mean to love one’s enemies? And how can we be peacemakers and reconcilers?

All are welcome, even those who could not attend the first event in the series (“The Meaning of Faith,” October 27).

Fellowship with snacks and drinks to follow!

For our second expert discussion, we are delighted to welcome therapist Fay Kalapoda for a workshop on stress and cultivating resilience. Drawing on insights from CBT, we will learn, discuss, and practice techniques for noticing and beating stress. The workshop will be followed by refreshments and fellowship.

Fay Kalapoda practices psychotherapy and teaches regularly on mental health, coping, and anxiety.

The new COTY Southwest hub is hosting its inaugural event. Join us for a talk on faith in modern life at the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Bristol, followed by a casual reception at the local pub. There are also vespers at the Church at 5:30pm. If you are located in the region (or visiting from without!) and are keen to meet and worship with other young adults (16-35), COTY is pleased to welcome you.

COTY Southwest is a new hub centred on Bristol which will serve young adults throughout southwest England and Wales.

Our four-part series on “Faith in Modern Life” begins with a discussion on the meaning of faith — a word we hear so often but may find difficult to describe or place in our own lives as young Orthodox Christians. What is faith? What does it mean to “believe”? What are the fruits of faith? Join us as we hear from a panel including Fr. Nephon Tsimalis (St. Sophia, Oxford) and Fr. Stephen Platt (St. Nicholas, Oxford) followed by a Q&A period. The discussion will be followed by a fellowship with drinks and snacks.

In our first talk of the year, we will explore the importance of advice in our spiritual journeys. Joined by visiting scholar Dr. Philip Mamalakis, we will learn how young adults can cultivate supportive relationships with both clergy and laity, as well as support others, whether friends or family. How should we approach and rely on spiritual Fathers? How can Church and secular sources of counseling and mentorship complement each other? And what is our responsibility to support and advise members of our own communities?

The talk will be followed by fellowship with drinks and snacks.

Dr. Philip Mamalakis is an Associate Professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA. He teaches courses on pastoral care, counseling, mental health, grief, and marriage. He has written books on parenting and co-edited the marriage preparation program for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.