On Sunday 15 February 2026, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain made his first pastoral visit to the Community of the Three Hierarchs in Lampeter, Wales.
Archbishop Nikitas presided at the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with Oeconomos Timothy Pearce and Presbyter Stephen Edwards, together with Archdeacon George Tsourous.
The faithful had been eagerly awaiting the Archbishop’s arrival and received him with genuine warmth and affection. There was a palpable sense of joy – the kind that comes when a community welcomes its father in Christ. With reverence, the parishioners went out of their way to ensure that everything was prepared to the highest standard.
The clergy had everything in order, and the choir was particularly well prepared, working diligently in chanting and helping to create a prayerful atmosphere. The Divine Liturgy was served in Welsh, alongside other languages, reflecting both the local identity of the community and the wider, multilingual life of the Archdiocese.
In his homily, the Archbishop spoke about the reality of the Day of Judgement and the preparation to which we are all called. He underlined that the Church, through the Triodion period and the journey of Holy and Great Lent, offers us a precious opportunity for repentance, renewal, and a more attentive Christian life – not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical path of return to Christ.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Nikitas elevated to the order of Readers Mr Anthony Braz and Mr Rhydian Edwards.
Following the service, Fr Timothy welcomed the Archbishop with heartfelt words and presented him with an icon of Saint David of Wales, commissioned by the community. Saint David, the beloved patron and protector of Wales, remains a shining example of faithfulness, humility, and steadfast witness in Christ even to this day.
A community meal followed, during which the Archbishop had the opportunity to spend time with the faithful and speak with parishioners personally, offering archpastoral encouragement in this remote yet vibrant corner of the Archdiocese. The visit left all present strengthened and grateful – a reminder that, wherever the faithful gather in prayer, the Church lives in fullness.
Photo credit: NikAntoniPhotography
