Halifax, England, July 29, 2026
Photo: antiochian-orthodox.com
Deacon Caedmon, a former Evangelical pastor whose congregation joined the Antiochian Orthodox Church in England last year, was ordained to the holy priesthood on Sunday, July 26.
The ordination took place during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland. The Liturgy was held at St. Malachy’s Catholic church, where the St. Hilda Parish has been serving, the Archdiocese reports.
Members of the Halifax Orthodox community acclaimed “Axios! He is worthy!” as the Archbishop laid hands on Fr. Caedmon following the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
During the same service, Met. Silouan gave the epigonation to a Fr. Stavros, allowing him to serve as a confessor for the community alongside parish priest Fr. Gregory Hallam.
Met. Silouan also announced that the Halifax community would no longer hold Mission status, becoming instead the Parish of St Hilda, citing the progress made in under a year. Fr. Caedmon will serve as priest in charge under the continuing guidance of Fr. Gregory and Fr. Stavros, with Fr. Gregory remaining parish priest for one year. Fr. Caedmon will not yet hear confessions while he establishes himself in liturgical and pastoral duties.
Photo: antiochian-orthodox.com
In his homily, Met. Silouan spoke on the calling of the priesthood, describing it as “a life of sacrifice” rather than “a position of authority,” and quoted St John Chrysostom’s teaching that the priest “stands on earth while ministering heavenly things.” The Archbishop presented Fr. Caedmon with a prayer rope, telling him, “the salvation of a priest begins on his knees.”
Following the Liturgy, a reception with an Agape buffet lunch was held, with gifts exchanged among the clergy and faithful.
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Fr. Caedmon, born Doug Clark, founded the Evangelical Hope Church in Halifax in 2018. He began studying Orthodox Christian teachings and deepened that research during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually incorporating Orthodox beliefs on topics including the Real Presence in the Eucharist and Mary as Theotokos into his church’s services. After attending Vespers at St Aidan’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Manchester in 2024, he became convinced his congregation should join the Orthodox Church.
Guided by Fr. Gregory Hallam, the process began in February 2025, and on September 6 of that year, 34 members of the former Hope Church were received into the Orthodox Church through Baptism and Chrismation. The following day, Clark, having taken the name Caedmon, was ordained to the diaconate at the same church where his priestly ordination has now taken place.
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