Mission

MISSION

Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St.Luke

Mission of our Orthodox Community

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Luke the Evangelist is the spiritual and community centre for Greeks from mainland Greece and Cyprus. It is one of three Orthodox Churches and the only Orthodox Cathedral in Scotland. It also serves all other Orthodox communities in Glasgow, such as Serbs, Romanians, Russians etc. Visit the Building History section to view the history of the building.

After a generous donation in 1960 by Sir Reo Stakis, the Greek Community in Glasgow moved from a small church in Crafton St. to the present building in Dundonald Road, creating the very first centre of orthodoxy in Scotland. The consecration of this Church by the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, was attended by the Lord Provost of Glasgow and other church and civic dignitaries. The commemorative bronze plaque on the left side of the entrance hall marks this occasion.

On 24 May 1970 the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, Nicholaos VI, who was attending the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, visited St. Luke's and to mark the occasion he elevated it to the status of a Cathedral, with the blessing of the Oecumenical Patriarchate. An appropriate marble plaque, inscribed with gold letters, at the right side of the entrance hall commemorates this most memorable day.

Another visit by the spiritual leader of the world orthodox churches took place on

Sunday 7 July 1996, when that day's Divine Liturgy was conducted by the Oecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Vartholomaeos I, who had come to Scotland to receive an honorary degree from the Department of Practical Theology of the University of Edinburgh.

Apart from the prayer life and upbuilding of the Greeks in Scotland, St. Luke's serves as an important meeting place for Greek Orthodox and other Christian Orthodox students and scientists who come to study or work in Scotland. Special functions are undertaken from time to time to meet the needs of the visitors or to promote intercultural exchange between Greeks and Scots. Members of the congregation have the opportunity to meet in the church hall at the end of the Divine Liturgy every Sunday, and catch-up on the week's events over 

refreshments and cakes provided by the Ladies of the Christian Fellowship.

The cathedral welcomes visitors of all denominations throughout the year, the 

traditional Easter service being a particularly well attended event, whilst the cathedral's participation in Glasgow's annual Doors Open Day provides visitors with another opportunity to visit this historic building.