With joyful and beautiful liturgical celebrations, the Community of St Demetrios, Edmonton in North London, kept the Feast of the Great-Martyr Demetrios, its Patron Saint and protector, on the evening of Friday 25th and the morning of Saturday 26th October 2024.
Several hundred people came to pray with Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain as he presided during the panegyric Great Vespers, Matins, and Divine Liturgy, joined by Bishop Iakovos of Claudioupolis.
Among those concelebrating were Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis, Chancellor, Archimandrite Nikodemos Anagnostopoulos, Priest-in-Charge, Protopresbyter John Hookway, and numerous area clergy, with Archdeacon Dr. George Tsourous joined by the newly-ordained Revd Deacon Dimitrios Mislis serving as second deacon.
At Great Vespers on October 25th October, Archbishop Nikitas ordained to the office of Reader Mr. Sergios Elias and Mr. Athanasios Merlusca, two dedicated servants of the parish who continuously serve in the church and at the chanting stand.
Following the service, Archbishop Nikitas honoured the right-hand chanter of St. Demetrios, Mr. Panagiotis Christodoulidis, for his extraordinary fifty- year record of dedicated service to the community. Father Nikodemos gave a brief address in which he expressed both his own heartfelt appreciation of Mr. Christodoulis’ tireless commitment and the deep gratitude of the Church Committee and all the devout Christians of the community.
After Hierarchical Orthros on Saturday 26th October, His Eminence also ordained Mr. John Shinkwin to the office of Reader. At the Divine Liturgy Archbishop Nikitas expressed in his homily the great joy he felt at seeing so many people from the parish and the diocese gathered in prayer, saying, “You know how happy parents are to see their children. I am your father, and you are my children – it makes me so very happy to see you all together here in the church.”
After the Divine Liturgy, recalling the completion of fifty years since the tragic invasion of the island of Cyprus, Archbishop Nikitas presided over the memorial service for the deceased, offered the prayer of commemoration, and led the ceremonial planting of an olive tree, a generous gift from the Rizokarpasso Association in the church grounds as a lasting memorial to the fallen.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Christos Goulas, Consul of the Hellenic Republic in London, as well as the Archons of the Great Church of Christ.
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Saturday 26th October, the Community hosted a generous and delicious festal meal including traditional savoury and sweet dishes in the church hall.
Photo credit: Marina Robb
