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# Saint Dunstan Orthodox Church: Saint Dunstan Orthodox Church

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Pages
- [Recordings](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/recordings/): RECORDINGS Name Reading Gospel Homily 260803 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost Click Here Click Here Click Here 260726 – Matthew 8 Click Here Click Here Click Here 260719 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost Click Here Click Here Click Here 260712 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost Click Here Click Here Click Here 260705 – 5th Sunday after Pentecost Click Here Click Here Click Here 260628 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost Click Here Click Here Click Here 260621 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Click Here Click Here Click Here 260607 – Matthew 2 All Saints of Antioch Click Here Click Here Click Here Bible Studies Link July 26th 2026 Click Here June 20th 2026 Click Here
- [25-06-08 Pentecost](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/25-06-08-pentecost/): PENTECOST 2025
- [Library](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/library/): Library Name Links Fr Chrysostom MacDonnell – Old Testament Lectionary Click Here St Dunstan of Canterbury Orthodox Church Poole – Saint Theodore Prayer Book. Second Edition (Kindle format) Click Here St Dunstan of Canterbury Orthodox Church Poole – The Saint Theodore Prayer Book. Second Edition Click Here Fr Chrysostom MacDonnell – The Way the Truth the Life – Catechetical Notes on Orthodox Christianity Click Here St Dunstan of Canterbury Orthodox Church Poole – Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Click Here
- [Hall Booking](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/hall-booking/): We're glad to welcome community groups, individuals and businesses to hire our space. Please see our availability calendar below, and use the booking form to make a booking.
- [Complete Payment](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/bookingpress-complete-payment/)
- [Notices](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/notices/): 16/03/2024
- [Homilies](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/homilies/): HOMILIES Name Links HOMILY – 260803 – FF – 9th Sunday After Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260726 – FrC – Matthew 8 Click Here HOMILY – 260719 – FrDcnR – 7th Sunday After Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260712 – FrC – 6th Sunday After Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260705 – FrC – 5th Sunday of Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260628 – FrDcnR – 4th Sunday of Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260621 – FrF – 3rd Sunday of Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260614 – FC – Matthew 2 All Saints of Antioch Click Here HOMILY – 260607 – FrDcnR – Homily for the Sunday of All Saints Click Here HOMILY – 260531 – FC – Pentecost Sunday Click Here HOMILY – 260524 – FrDcnR – Homily before Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 260517 – FF – Homily on the 6th Sunday of Pentecost – The Blind Man Click Here HOMILY – 260510 – FC – Homily on the 5th of Pascha Click Here HOMILY – 260503 – FC – Homily on the 4th of Pascha Click Here HOMILY – 260419 – FF – Homily on Thomas Sunday Click Here HOMILY – 260412 – FC – Pascha Sunday Click Here HOMILY – 260329 – FC – Homily on the 5th Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 260322 – FC – Homily on the 4th Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 260315 – FF – Homily on the Third Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 260308 – FC – Homily on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 260301 – FF – Homily on the Sunday of Orthodoxy Click Here HOMILY – 260222 – FC – Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Click Here HOMILY – 260215 – FF – 3rd Sunday of Triodion – The Last Judgement (Meatfare) Click Here HOMILY – 260208 – FC – 2nd Sunday of Triodion – The Prodigal Son Click Here HOMILY – 260201 – FC – 1st Sunday of Triodion – The Publican and the Pharisee Click Here HOMILY – 260125 – FC – Sunday of Zaccheus Click Here HOMILY – 260118 – FF – Sunday of the ten lepers Click Here HOMILY – 260111 – FC – Sunday after Theophany – The foundation of the apostles and prophets Click Here HOMILY – 260104 – FF – Sunday before Theophany – St John the Baptist Click Here HOMILY – 251228 – FC – Sunday after Nativity – Is happiness possible in this life Click Here HOMILY – 251225 – FC – Feast of Nativity Click Here HOMILY – 251207 – FF – 26th Sunday after Pentecost – A spirit of infirmity Click Here HOMILY – 251130 – FC – 25th Sunday after Pentecost – St Andrew the Apostle Click Here HOMILY – 251123 – FC – 24th Sunday after Pentecost – The Rich Fool Click Here HOMILY – 251116 – FC – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost – Why is He mixing with such people Click Here HOMILY – 251109 – FF – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost – Be of good cheer; your faith has made you well Click Here HOMILY – 251102 – FF – 21st Sunday after Pentecost – The Rich Man and Lazarus Click Here HOMILY – 251026 – FC – 20th Sunday after Pentecost – St Demetrius of Thessalonika Click Here HOMILY – 251019 – FF – 19th Sunday after Pentecost – Our Lord is a Person not an abstract idea Click Here HOMILY – 251012 – FC – 18th Sunday after Pentecost – Bring forth fruit with patience Click Here HOMILY – 251005 – FF – 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Loving our enemies Click Here HOMILY – 250928 – FC – 16th Sunday after Pentecost – Each has a service to offer within the Body of Christ Click Here HOMILY – 250921 – FC – 15th Sunday after Pentecost – How do we take up our cross Click Here HOMILY – 250914 – FC – 14th Sunday after Pentecost – Elevation of the Holy Cross Click Here HOMILY – 250907 – FF – 13th Sunday after Pentecost – God saves the world with endless love Click Here HOMILY – 250831 – FF – 12th Sunday after Pentecost – On tithing Click Here HOMILY – 250824 – FC – 11th Sunday after Pentecost – On forgiveness Click Here HOMILY – 250817 – FF – 10th Sunday after Pentecost – The strenght of our faith Click Here HOMILY – 250810 – FC – 9th Sunday after Pentecost – People mature in Christ at different paces Click Here HOMILY – 250803 – FC – 8th Sunday after Pentecost – The mind of Christ vs differences of opinion Click Here HOMILY – 250727 – FC – 7th Sunday after Pentecost – After Baptism, how can we possibly remain the same Click Here HOMILY – 250720 – FF – 6th Sunday after Pentecost – The Lord first heals the soul and then the body Click Here HOMILY – 250713 – FF – 5th Sunday after Pentecost – What are we going to do with what God does for us Click Here HOMILY – 250706 – FC – 4th Sunday after Pentecost – It is in humility that we must come to Christ Click Here HOMILY – 250629 – FF – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost – Seek first the Kingdom of God Click Here HOMILY – 250622 – FC – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost – Of All Saints of Antioch and British Isles Click Here HOMILY – 250615 – FC – 1st Sunday after Pentecost – Of All Saints – New Testament prefigured in the Old Click Here HOMILY – 250601 – FC – Sunday after Ascension – Holy Tradition – Final revelation of the knowledge of God Click Here HOMILY – 250525 – FF – Sunday of the Blind Man – All healing is a gift from God Click Here HOMILY – 250518 – FC – Sunday of the Samaritan Woman – True glory of God knows nothing of empty symbolism Click Here HOMILY – 250511 – FC – Sunday of the Paralytic – Our life in Christ. Repentance Thanksgiving and Change Click Here HOMILY – 250504 – FF – Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing women – They feared God more than they feared man Click Here HOMILY – 250427 – FC – Sunday of St Thomas – Our faith is not blind guesswork Click Here HOMILY – 250419 – FC – Paschal Vigil – Harrowing of Hades Click Here HOMILY – 250413 – FF – Palm Sunday – What kind of King is Christ Click Here HOMILY – 250406 – FC – 5th Sunday of Great Lent – Let us learn to keep silence Click Here HOMILY – 250330 – FC – 4th Sunday of Great Lent – Nothing can undo the promises of God Click Here HOMILY – 250323 – FC – 3rd Sunday of Great Lent – Holy Cross Click Here HOMILY – 250316 – FF – 2nd Sunday of Great Lent – The healing of the paralytic of Capernaum Click Here HOMILY – 250309 – FC – 1st Sunday of Great Lent – Forty Martyrs Click Here HOMILY – 250302 – FF – Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Click Here HOMILY – 250223 – FC – Sunday of the Last Judgment Click Here HOMILY – 250216 – FF – Sunday of the Prodigal Son Click Here HOMILY – 250202 – FC – The Meeting of Our Lord Click Here HOMILY – 250126 – FC – Luke 15 – Zacchaeus Click Here HOMILY – 241215 – FC – Sunday of the Forefathers Click Here HOMILY – 241201 – FC – Pentecost 23 – Luke 14 Click Here HOMILY – 241124 – FC – Pentecost 22 – Luke 13 Click Here HOMILY – 241117 – FC – Pentecost 21 – Luke 9 Click Here HOMILY – 241110 – FC – Pentecost 20 – Luke 8 Click Here HOMILY – 241027 – FC – Pentecost 18 – Luke 7 Click Here HOMILY – 241013 – FC – Pentecost 16 – Luke 4 Click Here HOMILY – 240901 – FC – The Indiction Click Here HOMILY – 240818 – FC – Matthew 8 Click Here HOMILY – 240811 – FC – Matthew 7 Click Here HOMILY – 240721 – FC – Pentecost 4 – Matthew 4 Click Here HOMILY – 240714 – FC – Matthew 3 – Fathers of 4th Council Click Here HOMILY – 240707 – FC – Matthew 2 – All Saints of Britain Click Here HOMILY – 240623 – FC – Holy Pentecost Click Here HOMILY – 240609 – FC – 6th Sunday of Pascha – The Man Born Blind Click Here HOMILY – 240512 – FC – Thomas Sunday Click Here HOMILY – 240428 – FC – Entrance of the Lord – Palm Sunday Click Here HOMILY – 240421 – FF – 5th Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 240414 – FC – 4th Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 240407 – FC – 3rd Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 240331 – FF – 2nd Sunday of Great Lent Click Here HOMILY – 240324 – FC – Lent 1 Click Here HOMILY – 240317 – FC – Cheesefare Sunday Click Here HOMILY – 240310 – FC – Last Judgement Click Here HOMILY – 240211 – FC – Pentecost 36 – Matt 16 Click Here HOMILY – 240128 – FC – Pent 31 Lk 15 Click Here HOMILY – 240121 – FC – Pentecost 29 – Luke 12 Click Here HOMILY – 240107 – FC – St John the Baptist Click Here
- [23-05-07 Big Lunch](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/23-05-07-big-lunch/): CORONATION BIG LUNCH 2023
- [23-04-16 PASCHA 23](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/23-04-16-pascha-23/): PASCHA 2023
- [22-10-23 London Church Visit](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/22-10-23-london-church-visit/): LONDON PARISH VISIT 2022
- [22-08-04 Church Outside](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/22-08-04-church-outside/): CHURCH BUILDING
- [22-04-23 PASCHA](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/22-04-23-pascha/): PASCHA 2022
- [22-04-22 Friday](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/22-04-22-friday/): HOLY WEEK 2022 - GOOD FRIDAY
- [22-04-20 Wednesday Service](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/22-04-20-wednesday-service/): HOLY WEEK 2022 - WEDNESDAY
- [21-7-11 Wedding](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/21-7-11-wedding/)
- [Gallery](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/gallery/): Gallery METROPOLITAN VISIT PENTECOST 2025 CORONATION BIG LUNCH 2023 PASCHA 2023 LONDON PARISH VISIT 2022 PASCHA 2022 PASSION WEEK 2022GOOD FRIDAY PASSION WEEK 2022HOLY WEDNESDAY CHURCH BUILDING 2022
- [Donation](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/donation/): DONATE BY BANK PAYMENT (BACS TRANSFER)
- [Newsletter](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/newsletter/): The Narthex - Our Newsletter 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 Jan - Feb Jan - Feb Jan - Feb Jan - Feb Jan - Feb Jan - Feb Jan - Feb Jan - Feb NA Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr Mar - Apr May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun May - Jun – Jul - Aug Jul - Aug Jul - Aug Jul - Aug Jul - Aug Jul - Aug Jul - Aug Jul - Aug – Sep - Oct Sep - Oct Sep - Oct Sep - Oct Sep - Oct Sep - Oct Sep - Oct Sep - Oct – Nov - Dec Nov - Dec Nov - Dec Nov - Dec Nov - Dec Nov - Dec Nov - Dec Nov - Dec
- [Useful Links](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/useful-links/): Useful Links NameLinksAntiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and IrelandClick HereAntiochian Parishes and British Isles and IrelandClick HereAntiochian Orthodox Deanery of the United Kingdom and IrelandClick HereOur YouTube Channel, with sermons from our churchClick HereMeeting the Orthodox: answers to most commonly asked questionsClick HereWritings of the early church fathers up to 325 ADClick HereChristian Classics - Ethereal LibraryClick HereThe audio bible. The complete bible narrated by Alexander Scourby free online.Click HereAncient Faith Radio – Live Streaming & Pod CastsClick HereDiscover OrthodoxyClick HereHistory Of Our Church On WikipediaClick Here  
- [Clergy](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/clergy/): Born in Bristol in 1954, Fr. Chrysostom was brought to his Mother’s home, Ireland, to be baptized Charles Leonard at the age of two months. Raised in an Anglican family, his parents, Charles and Pat, ran a pub in Bristol and then, in Clevedon, Somerset. In 1973, he began studying Theology at Bristol University. Graduating in 1976, he trained for the Anglican ordained ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon (Oxford). In 1978 he married Mo (Maureen), a teacher, soon after his ordination. For sixteen years he served as an Anglican minister in Swindon, Bristol and Cornwall. Their daughter, Eleanor, who was born in Cornwall, is a police detective with Devon and Cornwall Police.It was whilst in Cornwall Father's long-standing interest in Orthodox Christianity had time to develop. Finding time for study, especially in the areas of Liturgy and Church History, he was increasingly convinced of the rightness of Orthodoxy and that, correspondingly, the whole western Christian tradition was, in varying degrees, evidently heterodox. As for Anglicanism itself, there was much in its history that might be admired but it was clearly losing its intellectual and moral power. From the Nineteen-Eighties, liberalism in particular was the driving force of the Church of England and with the advent of "women-priests" in 1994 the break was inevitable.In the early Nineties Father Chrysostom formed the Pilgrimage to Orthodoxy movement that gathered together likeminded clergy. He was soon receiving post from all over Britain from fellow Anglican priests distressed at what had become of the Church of England. These were clergy for whom the allure of the Roman Church did not exist yet they felt at a loss as to what they might do. Many knew very little about the Orthodox Church.In September 1994 Father Charles, as he still was, together with a party of other clergy from the movement, now led by Michael Harper, met His late Beatitude, Ignatius IV, Patriarch of Antioch in Paris. So began the history of the British Antiochian Deanery with the ordination of priests and the formation of Orthodox communities in various parts of the country.Taking the name Chrysostom at his Chrismation in April 1995, he was ordained deacon in Paris in September of the same year and priest, a week later. Having left the Church of England, Father trained as a teacher, so was only able to minister in his free time. The small congregation in the Church of St. Petroc and St. Keyna never really developed with its rural location and several members moving out of the area. With the death of Fr. John Nield in Dorset, Fr. Chrysostom was asked to take over his parish at Athelhampton. This proved convenient for family and work reasons and with the help of his deacon, Fr. David, he ministered once again in a rural setting.It was evident, however, that although it had a beautiful setting, such "hidden" Orthodoxy was not able to contact or attract many who might be searching for the truth of salvation. So, a mission was started in the Poole-Bournemouth conurbation, reflecting the missionary zeal of what had now become the Antiochian Orthodox Deanery of the United Kingdom and Ireland. With the ordination of Fr. Deacon David to the priesthood (to serve at Athelhampton), Fr. Chrysostom was appointed priest of the new community of St. Dunstan. Gathering in people of Orthodox background, as well as inquirers, the community has now become established as a parish with the Deanery. The Community, originally sited at the former St. Osmund's church in Poole, worshipped for a time at the church hall belonging to the Roman Catholic parish of St. Edmund Campion at Castlepoint, Bournemouth through the kindness of Fr. Marcus Brisley. Eventually, the community was able to buy the former St. Osmund’s building and are actively working to restore it, both internally and externally. Fr. Chrysostom established the Bourenmouth-Poole Orthodox Christian Foundation as both a registered company and a registered charity to manage the care and maintenance of the building, now re named, St. Dunstan of Canterbury Orthodox Church. Ministering within the church at this time, though, was limited, as both father and his wife were employed in teaching.Fr. Chrysostom retired from teaching in 2015 and has since been able to give his time to the full-time ministry at Poole and moreover, take a wider interest in the affairs of what has become the Antiochian Archdiocese.Fr. Chrysostom envisages St. Dunstan’s parish as a centre for mission in the region of the ancient kingdom of Wessex, enabling as many as possible to find the ancient Christian faith of these islands, that Orthodoxy that had taken root here before the Great Schism of 1054. At the same time, the church is bringing in those in the area who are Orthodox by historical or ethnic background. Having acquired our own building the lengthy programme of restoration still continues on its way. To assist in this The Bournemouth Poole Orthodox Christian Foundation was established since 2011, a charitable company, which owns and runs the building. Alongside this, there is the Parish Committee, organising the parish community's life.
- [About Saint Dunstan](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/about-saint-dunstan/): Saint Dunstan About Saint Dunstan The early history of Christianity in England is marked by sharp fluctuations. Soon after the Romans withdrew from the island, staunchly heathen Anglo-Saxons virtually obliterated all traces of the first Christian communities planted by St. Joseph of Arimathea and Apostle Aristubules and watered by the martyric blood of St. Alban and others. The vigorous missionary thrusts of the sixth and seventh centuries-effected in the north by Celtic monks from Ireland, and in the south by St Augustine and his followers from Rome---- ushered in a golden age which saw the establishment of many great monastic houses and centers of learning--Iona, Lindesfarne, Wearmouth--and provided England with some of her most illustrious saints: Columba, Alden, Oswald, Cuthbert, Bede, the holy abbesses Hilda and Etheldreda. In the ninth century paganism against raised its head. Raiding Norsemen ravaged monasteries, burning their libraries; the interests of war eclipsed the interests of the Church, and spiritual life declined, hastened by the dissolution of the monastic ideal. Then, once again, the tide began to turn. It was just at this time that the Anglo Saxon Chronicle records the birth of St. Dunstan, a key figure in England's subsequent recovery of Christianity, a magnificent flowering before its unfortunate departure with Rome into schism in 1054.Although the Chronicle gives 925 as the year of St. Dunstan’s birth, most historians place it somewhat earlier, c. 910, on the basis of the fact that from 940-45 he was attached to the court of King Edmund as a priest, a rank which required that he be at least thirty year old.St. Dunstan was born into a noble Wessex family whose property lay close by Glastonbury Abbey. Although monastic life was scarcely in evidence, Glastonbury's tradition as Britain's oldest Christian settlement still attracted numerous pilgrims, and its well-stocked library accounted for some Irish scholars in residence. There Dunstan received a good education before joining his uncle Athelm, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the court of King Athelstan. Another relative, Aelfheah "the Bald," who later became Bishop of Winchester, encouraged the youth to become a monk. Dunstan had his eyes on marriage, but he became afflicted with a skin disease which he feared was leprosy, and when he recovered he acted upon his relative's suggestion and was tonsured. Saint DunstanReturning to Glastonbury, Dunstan built a small cell adjoining the "Old Church," and there he occupied himself with prayer, study and manual labor, showing a talent for fine metal work in his crafting of bells and church vessels. (In the Roman Church tradition, he became the patron saint of goldsmiths and jewelers.) His musical ability was reflected in the hymns he composed. He also spent time in the scriptorium, copying and illuminating manuscripts. Among his peers, he was considered to be a mystic. Nurtured partly in the strictly ascetic Celtic tradition, he concentrated on the inner spiritual warfare and wrestled with visible demons and heard mysterious, heavenly voices. One of his contemporaries wrote that when he sang at the altar he seemed to be talking with the Lord face to face.Athelstan's successor, King Edmund, recalled Dunstan to the court as a priest, but jealousy soon conspired to disgrace the monk. He was about to leave the country when the King, in a narrow brush with death while out hunting, had a sudden revelation of Dunstan's innocence. In making amends, he granted Dunstan some land and, in 943, appointed him abbot of Glastonbury, charging him with the renewal of its monastic life.One of Dunstan's first steps as abbot was to reintroduce monastic discipline using the Rule of St. Benedict (+ 547). He enlarged the church and other buildings and bolstered the abbey's reputation as a center of learning. Students at the school were taught by professed monks and were expected to participate in the daily monastic observances. This preparation provided a good crop of candidates for monasticism. Soon Glastonbury became a spearhead for a widespread monastic revival.The period of St. Dunstan's reforms coincided providentially with a change in England's political fortunes: the death of Eric "Bloodaxe" of Norway in the late 940’s opened the possibility for England's unification, and the country entered a quarter century of peace. Dunstan continued to enjoy royal patronage under Edmund's successor, Eadred (946-55) and, as one of his closest advisors, he helped to conciliate the Danes.As a statesman, Dunstan's zeal for moral reform and his promotion of monastic interests were resented by some of the West Saxon nobles, and they were only too glad when he was exiled by King Eadwig, although the king's motive was hardly political: the 16 year-old monarch had slipped away from his coronation banquet and was severely chastised by Abbot Dunstan--no respecter of persons--when he found him sequestered in a room with two women, mother and daughter, both making overtures with an eye to marriage. Resentful of such a reproof, Eadwig deprived Dunstan of his property and forced him out of the country, casting uncertainty over the future of England's monastic revival.Dunstan found refuge in a monastery in Ghent, where he scarcely had time to observe the reformed type of continental monasticism before he was recalled to England by Eadwig's half-brother Edgar ("the Peaceable", 959-75), who had been elected ruler by the Mercians and Northumbrians. It was Edgar's ambition to restore all the great monasteries of England, and the partnership of these two ardent reformers shifted the monastic revival into high gear. Dunstan became successively Bishop of Worcester and London, and, in 960, after Eadwig's death, Archbishop of Canterbury.Monarch and hierarch were assisted in their' campaign by two very able and saintly men: Ethelwold and Oswald of York. It was Ethelwold who was primarily responsible for drawing up the Regularis Concordia (c. 970), a common rule for monasteries. The English reformers were not innovators; the rule followed closely that of St. Benedict. >From it there emerges a picture of the rigorous daily life of a tenth-century English monk: in winter he was roused at 2:30 AM for the first service of the day; two hours each morning were occupied in manual labor, the rest of the day was devoted to the cycle of services; five hours a day were spent in prayer, psalms singing and scriptural reading; the day ended at 6:30 PM. In summer the day was extended by an hour at each end.Monarch and hierarch were assisted in their' campaign by two very able and saintly men: Ethelwold and Oswald of York. It was Ethelwold who was primarily responsible for drawing up the Regularis Concordia (c. 970), a common rule for monasteries. The English reformers were not innovators; the rule followed closely that of St. Benedict. >From it there emerges a picture of the rigorous daily life of a tenth-century English monk: in winter he was roused at 2:30 AM for the first service of the day; two hours each morning were occupied in manual labor, the rest of the day was devoted to the cycle of services; five hours a day were spent in prayer, psalms singing and scriptural reading; the day ended at 6:30 PM. In summer the day was extended by an hour at each end.There were, however, some unique features in the English rule: prayers were offered daily for the king, and an attempt was made to integrate monasteries into the life of the people. It was Dunstan's aim that the monastic reform should encourage personal piety among the laity as well, and he attached great importance to the monastic schools. As Edgar's advisor, Dunstan persuaded him to defer his coronation until he reached the age of thirty. Dunstan himself composed the rite, shifting the emphasis from the crowing to the anointing, which gave it a sacred character and suggested strong parallels to the consecration of a priest, forging a mystical link with the ancient Hebrews and cementing the relationship between Church and Crown. It is said that Dunstan attended to all the details of the service, down to making the crown, its four equal sides representing the City of God. The form of the rite is still used in the coronation of England's kings.After Edgar's untimely death, Dunstan continued as advisor to his teen-age son Edward. But resentment at the Crown’s extensive land grants to the Church inspired a certain anti-monastic faction of nobles to support Edward's more malleable younger brother Ethelred. Edward was viciously murdered and Dunstan withdrew from the affairs of state to concentrate on his pastoral duties there at Canterbury and his personal service to God. Even as he grew old, it was his delight to teach the boys of the cathedral school. He was, it seems, a gentle master. and after his death the boys would invoke the aid of their "sweet Father Dunstan" to mitigate the corporal punishment which was so readily meted out in those days.After Edgar's untimely death, Dunstan continued as advisor to his teen-age son Edward. But resentment at the Crown’s extensive land grants to the Church inspired a certain anti-monastic faction of nobles to support Edward's more malleable younger brother Ethelred. Edward was viciously murdered and Dunstan withdrew from the affairs of state to concentrate on his pastoral duties there at Canterbury and his personal service to God. Even as he grew old, it was his delight to teach the boys of the cathedral school. He was, it seems, a gentle master. and after his death the boys would invoke the aid of their "sweet Father Dunstan" to mitigate the corporal punishment which was so readily meted out in those days.After celebrating the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Ascension, 988, St. Dunstanpreached a sermon in which he foretold that within the next three days he would die. He indicated the place he wished to be buried and, on the second day, May 19, after having communed of the Holy Mysteries, his soul departed to the Lord. His last words, according to tradition, were those of the Psalmist: The merciful and gracious Lord hath made a remembrance of His marvelous works; He hath given food to them that fear Him.In the Chronicle, the entry for 988 says simply "In this year...the holy Archbishop Dunstan departed this life and attained the heavenly."Â
This glorious chapter in England's Orthodox heritage, in which St. Dunstan figured so prominently, gives the impression "of a religion of the sprat rather than of the letter, of a church not noted for its rigid enforcement of ecclesiastical discipline and. given its heritage from the Celtic Church and the size of its still not fully assimilated Scandinavian population, retaining much of that pastoral character of a missionary church whose first duty was that of patient conversion"
- [Contact Us](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/contact-us/): Hall bookings only: miha@saint-dunstan.org07521 012825 (Whatsapp)
- [Home](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/): We are a community of Orthodox Christians gathered under the pastoral jurisdiction and spiritual care of the ancient Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, originally founded by the Apostles Peter and Paul (See Acts. 11:26). Our parish is part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland. 
- [Website under reconstruction…](https://www.saint-dunstan.org/sample-page/): We are currently rebuilding the website, thank you for your patience.