On Sunday, 27th July 2025, the Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Panteleimon and Paraskevi was honoured with the presence of Archbishop Georgios of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, who presided at the festal Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The visit took place as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the community.
Archbishop Georgios was warmly welcomed by Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, under whose omophorion the parish belongs. Also concelebrating were Metropolitan Athanasios of Koloneia and Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis. Among those serving were Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis, Protosyncellus; Protopresbyter Konstantinos Papageorgiou; Deacon Michalis Nicolaou; Archdeacon George Tsourous; and Deacons Charalambos Clark and Ambrosios Theodorou. Archimandrite Petros, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Dionysiou on Mount Athos, also joined prayerfully in the Holy Altar. The service was attended by a large congregation of faithful, alongside representatives of community organisations and local civic authorities.
Earlier that weekend, during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St Paraskevi, two monastics from the Holy Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, Fr Bartholomew and Fr Barnabas, joined the celebration.
This Sunday also marked the sixth anniversary of the enthronement of Archbishop Nikitas as Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain. The faithful gave thanks for his spiritual leadership and pastoral presence throughout these years.
In his homily, His Beatitude offered pastoral encouragement to the faithful of the diaspora, calling upon them to remain steadfast in their Orthodox identity, and to preserve their ecclesiastical and cultural heritage for future generations. His Beatitude also used the opportunity to remember and honour the memory of those who suffered during the tragic events of July and August 1974 in Cyprus. He offered words of hope and resilience, underlining the importance of justice, truth, and prayer for a reunited and independent island.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Nikitas presented Archbishop Georgios with a epigonation and a golden coin, while Archbishop Georgios offered a silver icon of the Theotokos of Kykkos to the Archbishop, recalling his years of ministry in Harrow and his lasting ties with the faithful of the United Kingdom.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop George of Cyprus presented honorary awards to three long-standing members of the Parish Council in recognition of their many years of faithful and selfless service to the Church and community. This gesture was received with deep gratitude and emotion by the parish, as a sign of appreciation and encouragement.
In response to the devastating wildfires that recently struck Cyprus, the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain launched a coordinated appeal across its parishes. Tray collections were held for two consecutive Sundays in support of those affected. This act of solidarity underscored the unity and mutual care that bind our local communities with the sister Church of Cyprus – a single Orthodox family across borders.
The congregation gathered for a celebratory reception in the community centre. This historic and heartfelt visit served as a powerful reminder of the unity and mutual love that binds the Church of Cyprus with the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Photo credit: Alexios Gennaris
