The festive celebrations in honor of Saint Luke the Evangelist concluded with great solemnity and spiritual joy at the Church of Saint Luke in Birmingham. The services and multi-day events were presided over by Bishop Maximos of Melitene, with the Archimandrite Zacharias from the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex as the guest speaker.
The festivities began on Friday, October 17, with the Great Vespers and Artoklasia, during which Elder Zacharias preached on the life and legacy of the Evangelist Luke and presented Bishop Maximos with his three-volume homiletic work. On Saturday, October 18, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, with Elder Zacharias presiding and speaking once again on humility and Christian service.
Bishop Maximos warmly thanked Elder Zacharias for his visit and spiritual guidance, offering heartfelt words of appreciation and presenting him with an icon of Saint Luke the Evangelist on behalf of the community. He also visited the community’s Greek School, expressing his pastoral care for the youth.
On Sunday, October 19, Bishop Maximos presided over the festive Divine Liturgy, attended by a large congregation and distinguished guests, including UK MP Mike Wood, Mayor of Aradippou Christodoulos Partou, Cyprus Consul General in the UK Odysseas Odysseos, POMAK President Christos Karaolis, and Action for Cyprus President Kyriakos Akathiotis.
At the end of the service, the Bishop conferred the title of Honorary President of the Philoptochos Sisterhood upon Mrs. Fotini Lytra, in recognition of her long and dedicated service before her return to Cyprus. In his homily, he emphasized that every Christian community is called to serve those in need — prisoners, the sick, the hungry, and the marginalized — as a direct Gospel command.
The celebrations concluded with a festive luncheon featuring traditional dances, speeches by the Mayor of Aradippou and the Parish Council President, and the presentation of honorary plaques to individuals who have actively supported the life and mission of the community.
