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2025-12-31-accounts

Orthodox Church of the Nativity of The Mother of God Bristol

Registered Charity No. 290747

Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31[st] December 2025

CONTENTS: Page
Legal and Administrative Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Notes to the Accounts 6
Independent Examiner’s Report 7 to 8

Orthodox Church of the Nativity of The Mother of God Bristol

Charitable Status: Orthodox Church of the Nativity of The Mother of God Bristol is a Registered Charity no. 290747

Church Address: Orthodox Church University Road BRISTOL BS8 1S

Trustees:

Date Appointed Date Resigned
Neil Andrew Brent 12-Mar-11 N/A
Kate Hearn 09-Feb-14 N/A
Rebecca Edery 04-Feb-24 25-Jan-25
Michael Cooper 04-Feb-24 25-Jan-25

Bankers: Lloyds Bank 58 Queens Rd BRISTOL BS8 1RQ

Independent Examiner: Richard Ridler 36 Walden Road Sewards End Saffron Walden ESSEX CB102LF

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Orthodox Church of the Nativity of The Mother of God Bristol

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[st] December 2025

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity:

The Church exists to provide for the religious, cultural and pastoral needs of Orthodox Christians in the area of Bristol City, Gloucestershire, and Somerset in accordance with the doctrines of the Orthodox Church under the Oecumenical Patriarch.

Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.

During the reporting period the Church provides regular weekly church services as well as all key feasts of the Orthodox Church.

Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when planning our current and future activities. We understand that they comply with this guidance.

Church Activities Achievements and Performance

New people from non-Orthodox backgrounds continue to find us. We received 6 adults in the last year, with more currently at various stages of their journey in the faith.

We continue to ensure that the building we use is fully maintained and collect monthly parish contributions towards the Building Fund. Added to this fund was a significant grant of £10,000 from the Archdiocese. These are being put to good use but most of these works will take place in 2024 and be paid for then:

Routine inspections of lightning conductors and fire extinguishers were also carried out

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2

Financial Activity

2025 2025 2025 Change 2024
Unrestrict
ed funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total
funds
Total receipts £37,010 £5,034 £42,044 -£22,670 £64,714
Total Payments £22,961 £12,756 £35,717 -£43,830 £79,547
Net of receipts/(payments) £14,049 -£7,722 £6,327 £21,160 -£14,833

Receipts decreased by £22,670 year on year. Key reasons for this are:

Parish FundraisingTotal £5,994
Parish Events Total £40
Other FundraisingTotal -£1,358
Sale of Candles Total £718
Special Collections Total -£337
£5,057

Payments reduced significantly by £43,830:

Repayment of Grants and other funds £3,309
Priests Expenses £4,595
CommunityDevelopment * £3,875
Purchase of Candles and Stock £2,339
Purchase of Icons £1,540
All other changes in costs -£1,206
£14,452
  • The Parish received a grant of £7,603 from the National Philanthropic Society (USA)

Local and International Support

The Parish contributed £135 to the Friends of the Holy land in response to the crisis in Gaza.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is governed by a deed of trust dated 31[st] December 1973.

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Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The Charity is in the process of changing to a Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). We anticipate this process will be concluded in 2026 at which point new Trustees will be appointed. Trustees are proposed and seconded by church members and confirmed by a vote as described in the Governing Document. Since the end of this accounting period two trustees have resigned as set out in the Legal and Administrative Information on page 1.

Reserves Policy

To retain sufficient funds in the bank to cover six months expenditure. As of 31[st ] December 2025 the Church had £24,144 in the bank account of which £3,693 is restricted. As we are currently spending £17,859 every six months the reserves are sufficient.

Trustees

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing the statement the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and to enable trustees to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Trustees on 25[th ] January 2026

and signed their behalf by:

Neil Andrew Brent, Treasurer

Kate Hearn, President

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ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE Charity No. 290747 01-Jan-25 From NATIVITY OF THE MOTHER OF To 31-Dec-25 GOD BRISTOL

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Section A: Receipts and payments

Section A: Receipt and payments
2025 Change 2024
Unresticted
fnds		 Resticted
fnds		 Total fnds
£s £s £s £s £s
Receipts
Parish Fundraisinq
Parish Event
Grant and oter Funds
Oer Fundraising
Special Collectons
Sale of Candles and oter items
Total receipt		 29,721
40
2,280
135
4,834
37,010		 5,010
24
5,034


34,731
40
2,304
135
4,834
42,044		 5,994
-27,703
-1,928
-337
1,264
-22,670		 28,737
27,703
4,232
472
3,570
64,714
Payments
Church Fabric and Purchasing 1,900
1,900		 1,540 360
Church Running Expenses
Clerav cost
Communit Development		 11,943
7,095		 3,672
3,875

15,615
7,095
3,875		 -465
4,595
3,875		 16,080
2,500
Cost of Sales 2,971 2,971 2,339 632
Maior Maintenance
Oer Administaton Exoenses
Oer Expenses		 464
119		 464
119		 -58,282
124
119		 58,282
340
Reoavment of Grants and oter fnds 3,309
3,309		 3,309
Transfer of fnds collected at services
Total Payments
Net of receips/bvments)
Transfer Beteeen Resticted and Unresticted fnds
Cash fnds last year end
Cash funds this year en		 369
22,961
14,049
-3,938
10,340
20,451		 12,756
-7,722
3,938
7,477
3,693
369
35,717
6,327
17,817
24,144		 -984
-3,830
21,160
-14,833
6,327		 1,353
79,547
-14,833
32,650
17,817

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories/ Details Unrestricted
fnds		 2025
Resticted
fnds		 Total fnds Change 2024
£s £s £s £s £s
Cash -394 394
Bank Account 20,451 3,693
24,144		 6,721 17,423
Total cash funds 20,451 3,693
24,144		 6,327 17,817

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Si nature Date of a roval

Neil Andrew Brent

Kate Hearn

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TABLE 1
ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE Charity No. 290747
NATIVITY OF THE MOTHER OF From 01-Jan-25
GOD BRISTOL To 31-Dec-25

Notes to the Accounts

2025 2025 2025 Change 2024
Unrestrict
ed		 Restricted Total
funds
A1: Receipts
Parish Fundraising BuildingFund 2,828 2,828 322 2,506
Facebook Donations 4 4 -195 199
General Church Collections 20,936 20,936 8,139 12,797
Gift Aid - Parish Fundraising 4,066 623 4,688 -4,012 8,700
Icon Fund 1,560 1,560 1,465 95
Regular Giving- StandingOrders 4,715 4,715 275 4,440
Parish Fundraising Total 29,720 5,010 34,731 5,994 28,737
Grants Awarded BuildingFund - Grant -5,000 5,000
Grants -7,603 7,603
Loans -15,000 15,000
Other -100 100
Grants Awarded Total -27,703 27,703
Parish Events Participant Contributions 40 40 40
Parish Events Total 40 40 40
Other Fundraising Donations for Services 613 613 148 465
Gift Aid - Other Fundraising 24 24
HiringRooms in Church 1,040 1,040 1,100
Kitchen Fund 12 12
Other Donations 57 57 -11 67
Sponsored fundraisers -1,496 1,496
Other Fundraising Total 1,722 24 1,745 -1,358 3,128
Sale of Candles and other
items		 Bookshopand other sales 136 136 55 81
Sale of Candles 3,753 3,753 265 3,488
Sale of items 945 945 373 572
Sale of Prosphora 559 559 26 533
Sale of Candles Total 5,392 5,392 718 4,674
Special Collections Gaza Appeal 135 135 -337 472
Special Collections Total 135 135 -337 472
A1: Receipts Total 37,009 5,034 42,043 -22,646 64,714
A3: Payments
Church Fabric and Purchasing Purchase of Icons 1,900 1,900 1,540 360
Church Running Expenses Candles Purchased for Church Use 572 572 24 548
Cleaning 565 565 -475 1,040
DBS Checks 159 159 9 150
Equipment and Buildings Inspection 78 78 -65 143
Equipment and Buildings Maintenance 390 3,672 4,062 -1,369 5,431
Incense and Charcoal 526 526 526
Insurance 4,615 4,615 798 3,817
Other Costs 600 600 168 432
Payment for Utilities 3,043 3,043 1 3,042
Pest control 1,393 1,393 -83 1,476
Church Running Expenses Tot al 11,942 3,672 15,614 -465 16,079
Clergycosts Priests Expenses 7,095 7,095 4,595 2,500
Community Development Bursariespaid from the Archbishop's Fund 500 500 500
Conferences 150 150 150
Pilgrimages 3,225 3,225 3,225
Community Development Tota l 3,875 3,875 3,875
Cost of Sales Bookshopand other sales 262 262 97 165
Candles for Sale 2,708 2,708 2,241 467
Cost of Sales Total 2,971 2,971 2,339 632
Major Maintenance SanctuaryRefurbish and Stone Repair -58,282 58,282
Other Administration Expenses Fees and Charges 190 190 123 67
Website 102 102 1 101
Zoom Calls 173 173 0 173
Other Administration Expenses Total 465 465 124 341
Other Expenses Kitchen Purchases
Miscellaneous Expenses		 1 1 1
118 118 118
Other Expenses Total 119 119 119
Repayment of Grants and other fund sLoans 3,309 3,309 3,309
Repayment of Grants and other fun ds Total 3,309 3,309 3,309
Transfer of funds collected at
services		 Patriarchate Fund 200 200 -403 603
Gaza Appeal 169 169 -581 750
Transfer of funds collected at services Total 369 369 -984 1,353
A3: Payments Total 22,961 12,756 35,717 -43,830 79,547
Net Position 14,048 -7,722 6,327 21,184 -14,833

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Orthodox Church of The Nativity of The Mother Of God Bristol m embers of Report o the trustees/

On accounts for the year Cha�ity no en ded .131/12/2025 _ ,. I ___ (1f an y) _._1290747 _ _.

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have

Independent examiner's statement

come to my attention (other than that disclosed below*) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name.: j Richard Ridler Relevant profession al qualific ation(s) o r body (if any): - I -----------------------------'

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. .,

  1. ...

•.

Address: 36 Walden Road Sewards End, Saffron Waiden Essex CB 10 2LF

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.

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