I have loved the cathedral and I’ve dreamed to have my baby boy baptised there , but I am very dissatisfied and disgusted with the treatment we received from the priest and their staff members 😰
I have booked the church paying the deposit since December, for the baptism to take place on the 21 st August and also I needed the crypt because my mother is seriously ill and I couldn’t use a fancy restaurant or a party !
I am not sure if is the poor communication between Katerina , their receptionist and the priest ( Theonas) but I’ ve been told that he will give the key for the crypt to my husband on Friday and we will have the Friday afternoon for arranging the place with ornaments and everything its needed to have a special day ! We have traveled with a new born baby from Southampton since 9 a clock to get there in time to get the key but, because of the very bad traffic we were late ! My husband has got there , but the attitude of the priest was appalling telling my husband that he can’t give him the key now, he needs to come Saturday morning at 10 a clock to take the key to arrange the crypt !!😂
There was nothing arranged from their part . How did they expect us to arrange a room and having a baby to look after and also to get ready in time for the church ceremony and also the photo shoots that I ‘ve paid £600 .
I refused to have the crypt on this condition and the stress we have had with a day before the Baptism , searching for a restaurant for hours , was very upsetting and stressful! Lucky we were helped by our hotel we were staying at Hilton Hyde Park and arranged there for the baptism reception!
Saturday we have arrived at the church at 2 a clock , so we have enough time for the photo shoots and to arrange nicely with all my of my son’s baptism souvenirs ! The photographer was also booked from 2 a clock because I have been told from Katerina that I could come earlier than 3 a clock because there is no other Baptism before me !!!
We had a 2 months old baby and the guests in the church garden waiting with us for a hour , in the rain ! Numerous times we rang the bell and at 3 a clock I was shouting at them for this disguising attitude we received ! They have opened the church at 3 a clock , there was nothing arranged for my baby’s Baptism. Again , Katerina has told me that , there it will be some flowers arrangements but I am welcome to bring any extra if I wish! Lucky I have bought myself some nice flowers that my friend put it on! There was no staff members to help or guide us with the arrangements and the baby’s Baptism !
I expected better service when I paid £590 for a Baptism that was late, on rush and the priest was doing CONFESSION WITH A STRANGER at 3 a clock ( my time booked and paid ) , when it supposed to start my baby’s blessing ceremony not to have a hungry and tired baby crying baby 40 minutes after 🤢We were all stressed out and tired and my baby was crying the whole ceremony!
There are not happy pictures either because of this appalling episode ! Everyone were stressed and bored even the guests they were tired !
I wouldn’t ever put my foot in their church even though I love the cathedral and I will chose a different church my my baby first communion with his Godparents this Sunday !
The ceremony was ok but has been spoilt by a very bad approach and attitude