In 1986 Metropolitan Anthony decided to constitute the communities in Exeter and North Devon as a single parish under the patronage of the Holy Prophet Elias whilst maintaining the public church of Saint Anne in Exeter and the house chapel of Saints Simeon and Anna in Combe Martin.

The History of our Parish

Our founder was Archimandrite Barnabas of blessed memory (+ 14 March, 1996), who had a small monastery in Willand, near Cullompton, from July, 1967 till July, 1973. During his time at Willand, Fr Barnabas was anxious to see a parish develop in Devon beyond his monastery.

In Exeter, a number of little used Anglican churches were tried for occasional services until Fr Benedict, who had succeeded Fr Barnabas at Willand in July 1973, and was priest in charge of Willand and Exeter until 1986, managed to obtain the use of the alms house chapel of Saint Anne which has remained our public building ever since.

The parish numbers some seventy-five people over sixteen and about ten below that age. St Anne's also has a shifting congregation of Greek, Cypriot and Slavs who are either students at the university or working in the city. There are visitors who come to observe Orthodox services and regular parties of school children who are brought to look at the differences between Orthodox and Western church buildings. The church is also open once a year when Exeter has the churches 1 open day.

The chapel of St Simeon and St Anna serves the small community of people living in North Devon who find it difficult to travel to Exeter.

The parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar as being more appropriate for Orthodox Christians living in a Western society. Services are mostly in English, being the mother tongue of the majority of the community, although at St Anne's in particular, some Greek and Slavonic are used.

We have always considered the Orthodox Church to be a continuation of the earliest Christian tradition in these islands and for that reason have stressed the necessity of keeping up the veneration of our local saints Sidwell of Exeter, Urith of Chittlehampton, Brannoc of Braunton, Nectan of Hartland, Petroc, whose name is known all over the Westcountry, and many others.

Moves were made to find a suitable building in Exeter and a small house church was set up in Combe Martin, North Devon, in 1972, which was dedicated to The Righteous Elder Simeon and the Prophetess Anna.