Creationtide, also known as the Season of Creation, invites us to embrace and share our responsibility for caring for the Earth and all its inhabitants.
The Season of Creation, introduced by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios I in 1989, begins on September 1, the first day of the Orthodox ecclesiastical year. This period, known as Creationtide, extends until October 4, St. Francis Day. The start and end dates of Creationtide highlight its significance as a shared observance between Western and Eastern Christianity.
At St Michael's, the people of the church actively live out the ethos behind the Season of Creation, not just for the month of Creationtide, but all year round. They believe it's important to be considerate, thoughtful and respectful of how the way they live, and to cause as little impact as possible on the Earth and the environment.
Located in the heart of Macclesfield town, the church is ideally positioned to engage with the local community and shops, fostering mutual influence towards more eco-responsible living.
Church member David Mayers is involved with a nearby shop called Scoop and Save, which promotes the use of personal containers for purchasing items like sugar, pasta, and flour. Additionally, they distribute free bread, donated by local supermarkets, often baked the previous day but still fresh and perfectly edible.
The church has played a significant part in organising a series of ECO events in the area during the Season of Creation. Described as an 'Eco Festival of events in Macclesfield', the events and activities take place during the Creation tide period and include prayer services, a scavenger hunt, quizzes, games, talks on beekeeping, a family picnic storytelling and much more.
View the full SEASON OF CREATION Calendar