DECEMBER 2025 SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR SAINT PATRICK’S CHAPEL IN CLIFDEN, IRELAND
We begin the Advent fast leading up to Christmas after touring Ireland with the wonder-working Kursk Root Icon, from Stradbally, to Clifden, to a pilgrimage around Saint Patrick’s grave in Belfast. For the icon’s visit, in honour of the Theotokos, our chapel wore blue. Blue robes and icon covers also mark her Entry Feast, which we celebrate on the 4th of December. In fact, the Orthodox Church uses various colours to symbolise the seasons and feasts according to the church calendar. For instance, this 40-day fasting season of Advent, which we have just begun, will be robed with red. Then, Christmas, like all the major Feasts of our Lord, will be celebrated in white. As we anticipate this joyous holiday, please note that we will celebrate Christmas in Clifden.
December 2025 Service Schedule
- We 3.12: 9 pm – Midnight All-Night Vigil
- Th 4.12: 5:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.
- Sa 06.12: 10 pm Great Vespers
- Su 07.12: 6:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy
- Sa 13.12: 6 pm – 8:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Sun 14.12: 9 am – 11:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy
- Th 18.12: 9 pm – Midnight All-Night Vigil
- Fr 19.12: 5:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the feast of Saint Nicholas.
- Sa 20.11: 6 pm – 8:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 21.12: 9 am – 11:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy
- We 24.12: 9 pm – Midnight All-Night Vigil
- Th 25.12: 5:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the feasts of Saint Finnian of Clonard and Saint Spyridon
- Sa 27.12: 6 pm – 8:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 28.12: 9 am – 11:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy
- Sa 03.01: 6 pm – 8:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 04.01: 9 am – 11:30 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast of Saint Anastasia
- Tu 06.01: TBA Christmas Eve
- We 07.01: TBA Feast of Christmas
- Mo 05.01: 7 pm – 8:30 pm Royal Hours
- Tu 06.01: 7 pm – 10 pm Great Compline and Matins (Christmas Eve Vigil)
- We 07.01: 8 am – 10 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast of Christmas
From our recent pilgrimage, the wonder-working Kursk Root Icon visits the Saul Church where Saint Patrick began his ministry in Ireland. The icon also visited the nearby grave of Sts. Patrick, Bridget, and Comcille at the Downpatrick Cathedral, Belfast.
Thy discourse most wise brought many out of the madness of idolatry unto salvation, and thou didst show them forth as radiant martyrs, who cry aloud with thee: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
From the Vigil Hymnography for Saint Catherine, a beautiful young girl and renown rhetorician. Rejecting the marriage proposal of Emperor Maximian, she converted many of his closest advisors, philosophers, and officers to such Christian faith that they gladly shared her martyrdom in Christ. Saint Catherine’s feast day will be celebrated on Sunday, December 7.