Prayerful whispers echo in Cambridge at St. Botolph Orthodox Chapel. This chapel offers a unique expression of the Orthodox faith. It is not just a place of worship. It is a bridge between traditions.
St. Botolph Orthodox Chapel serves the Boston area. It operates as a reader’s chapel. This means it’s under an Orthodox bishop. It is still growing and developing its community. Regular weekly services are led by Mr. Augustine Watson. The Holy Mass is celebrated by Fr. Justin Doty. This happens usually on the first Sunday of each month.
Who was St. Botolph? He was an English abbot from the 7th century. Born to noble Saxon Christian parents, he was educated by Saint Fursey. He and his brother, Adulph, became Benedictines. St. Botolph returned to England. He built a monastery on desolate land granted by a king. He is known for his virtue and for evangelizing East Anglia, Kent, and Sussex. Boston, England is named after him. He is its patron saint.
The Orthodox Church has diverse rites. It worships in the language of its location. It spread throughout the world. Examples are Rome and Constantinople. The Western Rite came about when Western Christians sought the ancient faith. They found it in the Orthodox Church. They brought their language and liturgical forms with them. St. Botolph is part of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. It is in the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate. It is fully canonical and Orthodox. It worships in a fully Orthodox manner.
What are services like at St. Botolph Orthodox Chapel? Mass is only once a month. Every Sunday, they pray Mattins, Litany, and Antecommunion. These are English Orthodox versions of traditional prayers. Every Wednesday and Saturday, they pray Evensong or Vespers. They chant the Psalms and other prayers. Additional services are held for Feast Days. All are welcome to attend. Orthodox Christians fulfill their Sunday obligation here. This is true even when there is no Holy Communion.
When there is Holy Communion, prepared Orthodox Christians may partake. Non-Orthodox visitors are welcome. However, they are asked to refrain from communion. St. Botolph uniquely worships in the English tradition. This may feel familiar to those from Anglican or Roman Catholic backgrounds. The community invites all to explore the English expression of Catholic Orthodoxy at St. Botolph.
St. Botolph Orthodox Chapel meets at St. Peter Episcopal Church. This is at 838 Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge. Sunday service is at 8 AM. Wednesday and Saturday Evensong are at 6 PM. Check their calendar for Feast Days or service changes. The chapel offers traditional worship. It lives in the English expression of the Orthodox Faith. St. Botolph traces its heritage back to the apostles. It trusts in the promise of salvation. It professes the faith once delivered to the saints.