Bishop Maximos of Melitene visited the Community of the 318 Fathers in Shrewsbury, on Sunday, January 21, 2024, the day of commemoration of Our Holy Father Maximos the Confessor.
This is the oldest Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom dating back to the mid-13th century.
The Bishop celebrated his name day with the city’s growing English-speaking community, which has doubled in the last two years.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Melitene referred to the meaning of the confession of faith according to St. Maximos, conveying to the congregation the blessings of Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Protopriest Stephen Maxfield thanked the Bishop for his regular visits to the community and his pastoral care of the adult catechumens.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop spent time with congregants at a treat provided by the Community and then visited the Sunday School students.
He then met with members of the historic Shrewsbury Town Cathedral, where they discussed issues of concern to Christian communities in the area.
This was followed by a banquet in honor of the Bishop.
Article translated by: Ioanna Georgakopoulou
