Harrow, England, July 31, 2025
thyateira.org.uk
Archbishop Georgios of New Justiniana and All Cyprus presided over a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 27 at the Greek Orthodox Church of Sts. Panteleimon and Paraskevi as part of the parish’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Cypriot Archbishop was welcomed by the local hierarch Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Metropolitan Athanasios of Koloneia and Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis also concelebrated, reports the Archdiocese of Thyateira. The hierarchs were joined by numerous clerics. Archimandrite Petros, Abbot of Dionysiou Monastery on Mt. Athos, also prayed in the altar.
Earlier that weekend, on the Feast of St Paraskevi, two monastics from the Holy Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, Fr. Bartholomew and Fr. Barnabas, had joined the celebrations.
The Liturgy also coincided with the sixth anniversary of Archbishop Nikitas’ enthronement as Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.
thyateira.org.uk
In his homily, Abp. Georgios offered pastoral encouragement to the diaspora faithful, urging them to maintain their Orthodox identity and preserve their ecclesiastical and cultural heritage for future generations. He also commemorated those who suffered during the July and August 1974 events in Cyprus, expressing hope for justice, truth, and a reunited, independent island.
Following the Liturgy, the two Archbishops exchanged gifts. Abp. Nikitas presented Abp. Georgios with an epigonation and a golden coin, while the Cypriot primate offered a silver icon of the Theotokos of Kykkos.
At the service’s conclusion, Abp. Georgios presented honorary awards to three long-standing parish council members in recognition of their years of service to the Church and community.
Abp. Nikitas demonstrated support for Cyprus amid recent devastating wildfires by coordinating collections across parishes for two consecutive Sundays.
thyateira.org.uk
A large congregation attended the service, including representatives of community organizations and local civic authorities. The visit concluded with a celebratory reception in the community center.
Following the liturgical celebrations, Abp. Nikitas hosted a formal dinner in central London honoring the visiting Cypriot delegation. The event was attended by Metropolitan Athanasios of Koloneia, Archbishop Atanasie of the Romanian Archdiocese, Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis, and numerous clergy from the Archdiocese.
Abp. Georgios expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and encouraged continued support for Cyprus’ reunification, inviting attendees to visit the island to experience its monasteries and natural beauty.
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