The Greek Orthodox Community of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Coventry celebrated its 60th anniversary with great festivity.
On the eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration, a Great Vespers Service was held with a sermon, and on the day of the Feast, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated, presided over by Bishop Maximos of Melitene.
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Bishop Maximos of Melitene presided over at the Divine Liturgy and conveyed the greetings of Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. He addressed the congregation in Greek and English and spoke about the history of the community.
In attendance were the Lord Mayor of the City, Cllr. Mal Mutton, representatives of the High Commission of Cyprus and the Greek Consulate, the President of the Association of Greek Orthodox Communities of the United Kingdom and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mr. Marios Minaides, representatives of other communities and the local faithful.
The service was followed by an official luncheon with speeches by the President of the Community, Mr. Alex Pantelis, and the Mayor Mr. Minaides.
Find below the speech of Bishop Maximos of Melitene:
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. (Psalm 132:1). As we assemble here to commemorate sixty years since the founding of the Greek Orthodox Community of the Transfiguration in Coventry, this divinely inspired lyricism speaks to us.
Today, my brothers and siters in Christ, we commemorate the great contributions made by this Community—a lighthouse of spiritual direction and preservation of Hellenic Orthodoxy in the heart of England for six decades. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40), the apostle Paul orders, therefore we honour the founders and all those who have served our Community and reflect with respect on its history, deeds, and relevance.
From His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, who blesses the Community and all those who serve it, we give the most sincere greetings. Particularly congrats go to Protopresbyter Theodore Polyviou, the presiding priest, for his varied efforts.
Driven by the quest for a brighter future, a group of Greek Cypriots landed in Coventry in 1964. Their hearts full of love for religion and hometown, they initially lived in Birmingham then Coventry. These pioneers made a daring choice to establish their own Community because of their need for spiritual direction and their desire to preserve Greek Orthodoxy. Although they lacked money, they were wealthy in faith and will; they mortgaged their houses to buy the first church, a former Anglican school. The accounts of those early days are poignant as the founders show amazing commitment and sacrifice by devoting their leisure time to the upkeep and development of the church.
Let us consider the offerings of these trailblazers and honour the words of our Lord: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). For the sake of our Community, the fathers offered not only their souls but also their whole life. From its founding, the Community has been a lighthouse of compassion and solidarity, helping the local society, distributing food and money to the suffering irrespective of faith or belief.
The foundation of our community is one of faith, love, and sacrifice in past years. It is a tale of individuals who, like contemporary apostles, transported the warmth of Hellenism and the light of Orthodoxy right into England. By means of their example, ongoing labour, and preservation of our religion and customs for next generations, let us respect the memory of the founders. May the remembrance of our lost founders and donors endure always. Rest for their spirits in the realm of the living, where the virtuous live, our Lord Jesus Christ grants.
The community’s charitable efforts show themselves mostly via the Philoptochos Society, which has been serving the impoverished and underprivileged sixty years nonstop. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” our Lord said in Matthew 5:7. With a loving and self-sacrifice attitude, the Philoptochos provides moral and financial help to those in need. It plans meals for the local financially strapped people as well as the homeless. This gift is a declaration of Christian love and support for a neighbour. According to the Gospel, it offers people in need not just food but also warmth and personal touch. Furthermore, it arranges frequent visits to hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort and assistance to the ill and aged, thereby virtually expressing love and concern for all individuals.
Especially noteworthy is the Community’s support of the young people’s spiritual development and education. Operating sixty years nonstop, the Greek School has handed to many young people the Greek language, knowledge, and culture. “If you demolish Greece, in the end, you will see that all that remains is an olive tree, a vineyard, and a boat,” famous Greek poet Odysseas Elytis observed. Which implies: you may recreate her with them.” Likewise, by imparting Greek language and culture, our school helps to preserve and revive Hellenism in the diaspora.
“Education is a possession of precious value,” said Plato. The spiritual and cultural growth of a country depends mostly on its educational system. This is why our Community has made running a Greek School a priority from its inception. Operating sixty years constantly, the Greek School is a lighthouse of Hellenism and Orthodoxy right in the middle of England. Its two goals are to educate the Greek language and pass Greek Orthodox beliefs and customs to the next generations. The foundation of the School’s course is the instruction in Greek language. Students learn grammar and syntax; they practise reading and writing; they expand their vocabulary. Study of Greek literature, from Homeric epics to contemporary poets and prose authors, accompanies language acquisition. Simultaneously, the School gives Greek history and culture especially top priority in instruction. From antiquity to the present, pupils study Greek customs and traditions as well as the pivotal events in Greek history. The School therefore enables young people to grow strongly in Greek identification and pride in their background. Simultaneously, it teaches the children about the rituals and beliefs of our religion, including religious festivals, the life of the Saints, and Orthodox liturgy, therefore promoting Greek Orthodoxy.
Our Church’s contribution to the lives of the Community is very vital. For decades of devoted followers, the Church of the Transfiguration has been a spiritual residence. Here is where we celebrate the secrets of our religion and discover direction and strength on our spiritual road. The faithful are joined with Christ and with one other via the sacraments, prayers, and liturgical life.
The preservation of our customs depends as much on the Church. We recognise the turning points in life— baptism, marriage, and the death from this world—in the Church, where we celebrate the major feasts of our religion. The Church passes on the Orthodox faith and Greek customs to next generations, therefore safeguarding our spiritual and cultural legacy.
Celebrating the sixty-year path of the Greek Orthodox Community of the Transfiguration in Coventry today, we are overwhelmed with thanksfulness and respect for everything that has been achieved. Committed to carry on the work of our founders, to preserve our religion and customs, and to serve our fellow human beings with love and humility, we look forward and are driven forward.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank you to all those who have helped our Community to flourish and thrive. I especially thank the priest, the parish council, the teachers, the volunteers, and all the faithful who have over years supported this Community. May God bless you all, and may the memory of our founders and benefactors be eternal. Amen.
