On Wednesday 8th October 15 members and friends made the trip by car to the West End of Glasgow, just off Byers Road to pay a visit to St Lukes Greek Orthodox Cathedral. We received a very warm welcome from the Priest, Father Mark, and once inside the Gothic Style Cathedral which was formerly a Church of Scotland, with the interior now transformed in the Orthodox Style . Father Mark - a Scotsman! - gave us a very interesting talk on the slightly complicated history of the Orthodox Church and its origins in Glasgow. In its early days the main Congregation comprised of the inhabitants of two villages in Cyprus, all of whom had migrated here to work for the well known and very successful Restaurateur & Hotelier Mr Reo Stakis - who eventualy bought the Church from the C.O.S. - and is owned by the Reo Stakis Trust. Father Mark explained how Services were run, and demonstrated to us how the Bible lessons are not read, but sung, and also explained the significance of the impressive display of Icons decorating the walls, There were a number of questions from our Group which Father Mark dealt with in his  own inimitable style before taking us all to enjoy the warmth of the Hall to enjoy teas & coffees and Tattie scones and Pancakes from our Leader Margaret, Soon it was time to face the rush hour traffic back to Ayrshire, but not before Margaret and Rev. Ken had thanked Father Mark for his special hospitality which we all enjoyed. ​
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