A message from our Chairman of the OFSJB  (Mr Andreas Georgiou) on the recent repose of Fr Alexander Haig Jr …

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Dear all,

I am very sorry to learn about the recent loss of our dear friend and servant of Christ, Father Alexander Haig (Jr).  Father Alexander was a man full of joy, love, and care, and he was gracious to all who knew him.

I remember meeting Father Alexander many years before he became a priest in 2006.  He was a wonderful man, always full of joy and with a special jovial character.  He always had a smile on his face and possessed a laid-back attitude that I sometimes wish I had myself.

Later in life, he was blessed with a wonderful wife in Mihaela and was also blessed when his son Alexander was born.  Following in the footsteps of his father, Father Alexander (Sr), he became an Orthodox priest within the Antiochian Archdiocese and served his community for many years at The Twelve Apostles Antiochian Orthodox Parish in Eastleigh.  He was a dedicated member of the OFSJB and, along with his sister Margaret, helped to organise the youth festival, conferences, and other events over the years.  He attended many himself, always being a firm supporter of the organisation.

Father Alexander was someone who never put himself first but thought of others beforehand.  His knowledge of the scriptures and love of the Orthodox Church is something that we should all remember and aspire to.  His love for Christ never wavered, and this is something that we should all remember and aspire to as well.

His sudden passing came as a shock to us all as it seems only yesterday that he was diagnosed with a stroke, and little did we know that this was something far worse.  He will be truly missed, and his passing has left a deep hole in all of us that will be very difficult to fill.  Our prayers and thoughts must be with Mihaela, Alexander, and his family at this time, and we must always be respectful and courteous in this regard.

He will be missed, and the love and caring that he showed to others during his time on this earth will be something that will never be forgotten by those who knew him.

May his memory be eternal!

Being a Family in Christ: How do we relate to one another in the Church?

Every year, we organise a festival to bring together young adults from all over the world to explore the Orthodox faith in a fun and relaxing environment. You can look forward to engaging lectures, discussions, prayer and services, fellowship, and incredible memories with friends new and old!

◉ Festival theme:

The theme of this year’s Festival is “Being a Family in Christ: How do we relate to one another in the Church?”, and it will take place on 1st-4th May at the Othona Community, on the beautiful Essex coast near Bradwell-on-Sea. For more information, please visit the Festival website: orthodoxyouth.org.uk

◉ Speakers:

Fr Timothy Pearce will be our chaplain this year, joining us from The Three Holy Hierarchs and St Cybi Orthodox Church in Lampeter, West Wales. Klaus Kenneth, the author of “Born to Hate, Reborn to Love”, will also be one of our speakers this year. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

◉ Registration:

The festival is aimed at young adults aged between 18 to 35 years old (approx). You don’t need to have a deep understanding of the Orthodox faith, but we hope you have an open mind and are curious to learn more about it. If you’re interested, please apply using the link below, and complete the form to book your place: link.ofsjb.org/OYF26-signup

◉ Get in touch:

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the organisers at: ofsjbyouthuk@gmail.com.