Fr. Alexander is a Canadian residing in London. As a child, he attended the Orthodox Church but was not baptised until his twenties. Thus, he speaks to both 'cradle' and 'convert'. Fr. Alexander has taught the Orthodox faith for twenty years. Graduating from St. Tikhon's Seminary in Pennsylvania, he was ordained a deacon in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Coming to England to pursue doctoral research, he was appointed a tutor and later chaplain of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge. Upon transfer from the OCA to Antioch, he was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware).

The Reverend Archpriest Michael Harper

Archpriest Michael Harper was the Priest of St Botolph’s Orthodox parish since it began around 1995. He was also the founding Dean of the Antiochian Orthodox Deanery of the United Kingdom and Ireland, which comprises numerous parishes and missions. He was born in London and graduated from Cambridge University. He married Jeanne who is a Graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and still leads the choir at St Botolph’s. Father Michael has written the book A Faith Fulfilled which tells the story of how the Deanery started and why more and more people are joining the Orthodox Church.

Just before 4pm on January 6th, on the day of the Feast of the Theophany, Father Michael reposed in the Lord in the hospice he had just recently entered. Pray for the repose of his soul and for his wife Khouria Jeanne. May his memory be eternal. The homilies written by Father Alexander Tefft in honour of Theophany and Fr. Michael are available by clicking on the "News and Views" tab.