Hertfordshire, England, April 6, 2026
Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain
The Discover Orthodoxy catechetical program of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Patriarchate of Constantinople) has brought hundreds into the Orthodox Church over the past several years. Last year, nearly 200 were illumined on Lazarus Saturday, and this year the Archdiocese has reported even higher numbers, reflecting Orthodoxy’s remarkable growth throughout the West in recent years.
Approximately 250 individuals have been received into the Church through the program thus far in 2026, the Archdiocese reports.
Led by the Fr. George Tsiappourdhi, the course has been meeting weekly on Zoom since September 2025, with a new program for the newly illumined set to begin in May 2026.
Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain
On Saturday, April 4, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain led the reception of 75 catechumens at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Hertfordshire. Similar services took place concurrently across the Archdiocese, with hundreds received in parishes in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cambridge, and London.
The newly illumined are primarily adults with several children among them. Program participants came from a wide range of backgrounds, including the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and across the Commonwealth and Europe.
Following the service, the neophytes entered the church holding candles and joined the faithful in the Divine Liturgy, receiving the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
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