On the weekend of 31 May – 1 June 2025, the Orthodox Community of the 318 Holy Fathers of Nicaea and St John the Baptist in Shrewsbury had the great honour of hosting, on behalf of the Archdiocese, the official celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD).
This historic council, which affirmed the divinity of Christ and established the Nicene Creed, remains a defining moment in the life of the Church.
Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain presided over the festal services, joined by Bishop Maximos of Melitene. The celebrations commenced with Great Vespers on Saturday evening at the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers, and culminated in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at St Julian’s Church.
Concelebrating were the Revd Protopresbyter Fr Stephen Maxfield, Priest-in-Charge, and numerous clergy from across the Archdiocese.
The services drew a large congregation of faithful as well as a number of distinguished guests, including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner; the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Alex Wagner; the Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Davies; the Anglican Bishop of Oswestry, Paul Thomas (representing the Bishop of Lichfield); and the Dean of Shrewsbury Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Revd Sean Henry.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive meal was held at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, celebrating the occasion in a spirit of joy and unity.
As part of the Archdiocese’s Nicaea 2025 programme, the Shrewsbury parish is also hosting the Eternal Light: Exhibition of Holy Icons at St Julian’s Church from 24 May to 6 June. Curated by renowned iconographer Aidan Hart, the exhibition showcases works by leading British icon painters and offers a visual meditation on the spiritual legacy of the Council. Evening openings and talks by Aidan Hart have drawn significant interest. Full details can be found here: shrewsburyorthodox.com/nicaea25/iconexhibition.
The Nicaea 2025 celebrations will conclude on 21 June with a theological symposium featuring the internationally renowned patristic scholar Fr John Behr, who will reflect on the enduring legacy of the Council of Nicaea. To register for the event, visit: shrewsburyorthodox.com/nicaea25/symposium.
The Church of the 318 Holy Fathers is believed to be the only church in Western Europe dedicated to the memory of the bishops who attended the First Ecumenical Council. In recent years, its iconographic programme has been enriched through the addition of seventeen new roundels by Aidan Hart. A newly commissioned icon by Presvytera Tamara Penwell of St Sylvester of Rome and Hosios of Cordova honours the Western bishops believed to have contributed to the council’s definitive theological language, especially the term homoousios (of one essence). Commemorative items marking this unique occasion are available through orthodox-shop.co.uk/collections/merchandise.
The Archdiocese expresses its deep gratitude to the clergy and faithful of the Shrewsbury parish for their tireless efforts, warm hospitality, and commitment to Orthodox witness. Through the intercessions of the 318 Holy Fathers, may the life and unity of the Church continue to be strengthened across these islands.
Photo credit: Alexios Gennaris
