PRESS RELEASE
We are pleased to announce the following:
– His Grace Bishop-elect Raphael of Ilion will be ordained on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, (Matins: 9:00 AM) at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Panteleimon and St. Paraskevi in Harrow, London.
– His Grace Bishop-elect Iakovos of Claudiopolis will be ordained on Thursday, March 11, 2021, (Matins: 9:00 AM) at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom in Bayswater, London.
PATRIARCHAL ENCYCLICAL
FOR HOLY PASCHA
PROT. NO. 251
+ B A R T H O L O M E W
By God’s Mercy
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church:
May the Grace, Peace and Mercy of Christ Risen in Glory be with you All
Most honorable brother Hierarchs,
Dearly beloved children,
By God’s mercy and strength, we have journeyed through prayer and fasting across the ocean of Holy and Great Lent, finally reaching the splendid feast of Pascha, and we praise the Lord of glory, who descended to the depths of Hades and “achieved the entrance for all to Paradise” through His raising from the dead.
The Resurrection is not the remembrance of an event from the past, but the “good change” of our existence, “another birth, an alternate life, a different kind of living, the transformation of our very being.” And in the Risen Christ, the entire creation is renewed together with humanity. When we chant in the 3rd Ode of the Paschal Canon, that “Now everything is filled with light—heaven, earth, and all things beneath the earth; therefore, let all creation celebrate the resurrection of Christ, in which everything has been established,” we proclaim that the universe is founded on and filled with unfading light. The phrases “before Christ” and “after Christ” ring true not only for the history of the human race, but also for the sake of all creation.
The Lord’s raising from the dead constitutes the nucleus of the Gospel, the stable point of reference for all the books of the New Testament, as well as for the liturgical life and devotion of the Orthodox Christians. Indeed, the words “Christ is Risen!” summarize the theology of the Church. The experience of the abolition of the dominion of death is a source of ineffable joy, “free from the bonds of this world.” “All things are filled with joy upon receiving the taste of resurrection.” The resurrection is an explosion “of great joy” and permeates the entire life, ethos and pastoral ministry of the church as the foretaste of the fullness of life, knowledge and life of the eternal kingdom of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Orthodox faith and pessimism are contradictory phenomena.
Pascha is for us a feast of freedom and victory over alienating forces; it is the churchification of our existence, an invitation to collaborate for the transfiguration of the world. The history of the Church is rendered “a great Pascha” as the journey toward “the liberation in glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8.21). The experience of resurrection reveals the center and eschatological dimension of freedom in Christ. Biblical references to the Savior’s resurrection demonstrate the power of our freedom as believers; it is in this freedom alone that the “great miracle” is manifested, which remains inaccessible to every oppression. “The mystery of salvation belongs to those who desire it freely, not to those who are tyrannized against their will.” Accepting the divine gift as a “transition” of the believer toward Christ is the voluntary existential response to the loving and saving “transition” of the Risen Lord toward humankind. For “without me, you cannot do anything” (Jn 15.5).
The mystery of the Lord’s resurrection to this day continues to shatter the positivistic certainties of those who deny God as “the denial of human will,” as well as the advocates of “the fallacy of self-fulfillment without God” and the admirers of the contemporary “man-god.” The future does not belong to those imprisoned in a self-sufficient, stifling and narrow earthly existence. There is no authentic freedom without resurrection, without the perspective of eternity.
For the Holy Great Church of Christ, one source of such resurrectional joy is also found this year in the common celebration of Easter by the entire Christian world, along with the commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, which condemned the heresy of Arius, who “diminished within the Trinity the one Son and Word of God,” and which established the way of calculating the date for the feast of our Savior’s resurrection.
The Council of Nicaea inaugurates a new age in the conciliar history of the Church, the transition from the local to the ecumenical synodal level. As we know, the First Ecumenical Council introduced the non-biblical term “homoousios (of one essence)” to the Symbol of Faith, albeit with a clear soteriological reference, which remains the essential characteristic of church doctrines. In this sense, the celebrations of this great anniversary are not a return to the past, inasmuch as the “spirit of Nicaea” exists unspoiled in the life of the Church, whose unity is associated with the correct understanding and development of its conciliar identity. Discussion on the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea reminds us of the common Christian archetypes and the meaning behind the struggle against the perversion of our spotless faith, encouraging us to turn toward the depth and essence of Church tradition. The joint celebration this year of the “most holy day of Pascha” highlights the timeliness of the subject, the solution of which not only expresses the respect of Christianity for the decrees of the Council of Nicaea, but also the awareness that “there should be no differentiation in such sacred matters.”
With these sentiments, filled with the light and joy of the Resurrection, while proclaiming “Christ is Risen!” with jubilation, let us honor the chosen and holy day of Pascha with a heartfelt confession of our faith in the Redeemer, who trampled down death by death and granted life to all people and all creation, through our faithfulness to the sacred traditions of the Great Church as well as through sincere love for our neighbor, for the glorification by us all of the heavenly name of the Lord.
At the Phanar, Holy Pascha 2025
+ Bartholomew of Constantinople
Fervent supplicant for you all
to the Risen Lord
Having been nailed to the form of a Cross as truly a ransom for many, You redeemed us, Christ our God. For by Your precious blood, in love for humankind, You snatched our souls from death; You brought us back with You again to Paradise.
The great treasury of our hymnological tradition preserves many lesser-known, yet richly theological meditations, such as the one above. This particular hymn comes from a kontakion by Saint Romanos the Melodist, titled “On the Victory of the Cross”—a prayerful reflection on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.
The Melodist speaks to us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. He reminds us that our Lord and God freely chose to endure a terrible death, offering Himself “as a ransom for many”. Like an innocent lamb led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7), our King gave His life to redeem and save us. By His own precious blood, He washed away the curse of the past and “snatched us from death”, opening once more the gates of Paradise.
Christ became our hope and salvation—not only lifting human nature from its fallen state, but exalting it beyond its original glory. By His grace, we are adopted as children of God the Father, made heirs of His Kingdom. The fiery sword no longer guards the gate, and Christ, taking humanity by the hand, leads us to His Father—guiding us into unending light and glory, where “heavenly and earthly things rightly rejoice with Adam, for he has been called again to Paradise”.
This, my beloved sisters and brothers, is the meaning of Pascha—the new Passover. It is the recapitulation, fulfilment, and crowning moment of the mighty works of God, Who wills that all people be saved and dwell in the splendour of His Kingdom. All of this has come about because God “so loved the world”—not through our own efforts, nor by any personal merit. As Saint Basil wisely reminds us, “we have done nothing good upon the face of the earth”. Rather, it is the unconditional love of God for His creation that is revealed to us in and through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.
Though Pascha is celebrated only once each year, the message of our salvation and liberation from sin and death is an eternal and unceasing proclamation. Let us, therefore, celebrate and rejoice: Christ is Risen! Let us not only proclaim this message to all people, but strive to live it out each and every moment in doxology and thanksgiving—“for in the Cross, we may all boast. To us Your tree gives back, every day and moment, wealth beyond price, for it brings us all again to Paradise.”
May the joy, life, and radiant light that shine forth from the Empty Tomb be with you, your loved ones, and the whole world.
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ – CHRIST IS RISEN
With paternal love and blessings in the Risen Lord,
+ Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain
Holy and Great Pascha 2025
On Palm Sunday, 13th April 2025, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saints Bega, Mungo, Herbert, and Cuthbert in Keswick—a growing Orthodox parish nestled in the Lake District of northwest England.
His Eminence blessed and distributed palm crosses to the faithful, following the age-old custom that marks Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The church, filled beyond capacity, reflected the vibrancy and growth of this beloved community.
Among those who concelebrated with His Eminence were the Very Revd Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Antonios Kakalis, parish priest and spiritual guide of the community; the Revd Protopresbyter Christodoulos Fyles; and Archdeacon George Tsourous.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence elevated Patrick Takla to the rank of Reader, entrusting him with the responsibility of assisting in the liturgical life of the parish and deepening the spiritual life of the community through service and devotion.
At the close of the service, His Eminence awarded the Archdiocesan Cross to Presvytera Jenny Musther, in recognition of her faithful and loving support of the parish over many years. Often described as the soul and the mother of the community, Presvytera Jenny has been a quiet but constant source of strength, carrying forward the legacy of her late husband, Fr John Musther, and helping to shape the spirit and stability of the parish.
The community continues to flourish under the pastoral care of Fr Antonios, who builds faithfully upon that legacy. The congregation—diverse in background and united in worship—is known for its congregational singing, prayerful atmosphere, and warm fellowship. With numbers steadily increasing, the faithful of Keswick now face the joyful challenge of outgrowing their church space.
His Eminence’s visit offered encouragement, blessing, and a renewed sense of purpose as the community began its journey through Holy Week.
Photo credit: Alexios Gennaris
£95.00 – £130.00
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, we are pleased to announce the Inaugural Future Leaders Gala on Saturday 3rd May 2025, 7pm to 1am, at the 5-star Royal Lancaster Hotel at Lancaster Gate, London (Royal Lancaster London – Luxury Hyde Park Hotel, Bayswater, W2).
This extraordinary black-tie gala aims to unite, inspire and connect dynamic young Hellenes, Philhellenes, and members of our Community.
The evening will commence with a welcome drinks’ reception, followed by a 3-course dinner paired with wine, silent auction, live music by the well-known singers Ageliki Darra and Kara Marni and a DJ.
For tickets: shop.thyateira.org.uk/product/future-leaders-gala-ticket/
HERTFORDSHIRE – On Saturday, 12th April 2025, nearly 200 individuals were received into the Orthodox Church during a very moving service led by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. The ceremony took place at The Twelve Apostles Greek Orthodox Church on the Saturday of Lazarus, marking a moment of profound joy and spiritual renewal.
Assisted by clergy from across the Archdiocese, Archbishop Nikitas welcomed the new faithful following their participation in the eighth session of the Archdiocesan Discover Orthodoxy course. Led by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis, Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese and Dean of the historic Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom in London,the class has been meeting weekly on Zoom since September 2024 and will continue through May 2025.
The newly illumined Orthodox Christians, primarily adults with several children among them, were received by Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation. Nearly twenty adults entered the Church through Chrismation alone. Participants represent a broad range of backgrounds—hailing from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and across the Commonwealth and Europe.
Following the Sacred Service, the neophytes entered the church carrying candles, joining the faithful in the Divine Liturgy where they received the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
As the service concluded, Archbishop Nikitas expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parish clergy—the Rev. Protopresbyter Joseph Paliouras and the Rev. Father Demetrianos Melekis—as well as to the many volunteers whose efforts made the day possible. A generous Lenten reception, hosted by Archon Louis Loizou, Community Chairman, honored the neophytes, their families, and all gathered to witness this extraordinary occasion.
The day will be remembered not simply for the number of new faithful, but for the sense of unity, reverence, and hope that filled the church.
Photo Credit: Jessy Papasavva Photography & Alexios Gennaris
„Pironit fiind în chipul Crucii, Tu Unul celor mulți Izbăvitor, răscumpăratu-ne-ai, Hristoase Dumnezeul nostru, prin scump sângele Tău. Căci mânat de iubirea Ta de oameni, din moarte ai smuls sufletele noastre, împreună cu Tine iarăși în Rai aducându-ne.”
În marea vistierie a tradiției imnologiei bisericești sunt păstrate numeroase cugetări mai puțin cunoscute, însă de mare preț prin cuprinsul lor teologic, așa cum este de pildă imnul de mai sus. El face parte dintr-o alcătuire de cântări a Sfântului Roman Melodul cu titlul „La biruința Crucii”, care este o cugetare-rugăciune asupra Răstignirii și Învierii lui Hristos.
Sfântul Roman ne vorbește despre jertfa mai presus de toate a lui Hristos pe Cruce. Ne amintește că Domnul și Dumnezeul nostru a ales de bunăvoie să rabde moarte cumplită, dându-Și sufletul „răscumpărare pentru mulți”. Ca un miel neprihănit dus la junghiere (Isaia 53, 7), Împăratul nostru Și-a dat viața pentru a ne răscumpăra și a ne mântui pe noi. Prin sângele Său preascump, a spălat blestemul trecutului și „ne-a smuls din moarte”, deschizând din nou porțile Raiului.
Hristos S-a făcut nouă nădejde și mântuire: nu numai a ridicat firea omenească din cădere, ci a și înălțat-o mai presus de slava de mai nainte. Cu harul Său, am primit înfierea ca fii ai lui Dumnezeu-Tatăl și moștenitori ai Împărăției Sale. Sabia de foc nu mai păzește poarta Edenului, iar Hristos, luând de mână întreaga omenire, ne aduce la Tatăl, călăuzindu-ne spre lumina și slava cele fără de apus, acolo unde „cele cerești și cele pământești cu dreptate se bucură împreună cu Adam, căci l-au strigat iarăși în Rai”.
Acesta, dragi frați și surori în Domnul, este înțelesul Paștelui: „Trecerea cea nouă”. Este recapitularea, plinirea și încununarea lucrărilor mărețe ale lui Dumnezeu, Care voiește ca toți să se mântuiască și să petreacă în străluminata Sa Împărăție. Acestea toate s-au săvârșit pentru că Dumnezeu „atât de mult a iubit lumea”, nicidecum pentru ale noastre strădanii, ori pentru vrednicia noastră. Precum ne amintește cu înțelepciune Sfântul Vasile cel Mare: „Noi nimic bun nu am făcut pe fața pământului” – ci iubirea desăvârșită a lui Dumnezeu pentru zidirea Sa ni s-a descoperit nouă în și prin Răstignirea și Învierea lui Hristos.
Cu toate că Paștele se prăznuiește o singură dată în an, vestea mântuirii și slobozirii noastre din păcat și din moarte este veșnică și necontenită. Să prăznuim, așadar, și să ne bucurăm: Hristos a înviat! Să nu vestim Învierea tuturor doar cu gura, ci să ne sârguim a o trăi în fiecare clipă, slăvind pe Domnul și aducându-I mulțumită, „căci prin Cruce, cu toții ne putem lăuda: Pomul Crucii Tale, Doamne, iarăși rodește rod neprețuit, dăruind tuturora zi de zi și clipă după clipă întoarcerea în Rai”.
Fie ca bucuria, viața și lumina neîntunecată ce se revarsă din Mormântul cel Gol să fie cu voi, cu cei dragi vouă și cu lumea întreagă.
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ – HRISTOS A ÎNVIAT !
Cu dragoste și binecuvântare părintească,
+ Arhiepiscopul Nichita al Thyateirei și al Marii Britanii
Sfintele și Marile Paști 2025
«Искупленьем многих быв, к образу Креста Ты, Христе, был пригвожден, чтобы нас спасти, и, Честною Кровию исхитив от смертных уз наши души, нас с Собой потом возвел снова в рай».
Великая сокровищница нашего гимнографического предания хранит множество менее известных, однако богословски богатых мыслей, – подобно цитируемой выше. Этот конкретный гимн является кондаком Святого Романа Сладкопевца, называемым «О победе Креста» – будучи молитвенным осмыслением Распятия и Воскресения Христа.
Сладкопевец возвещает нам о верховной жертве Христовой на Кресте. Он напоминает нам, что наш Господь и Бог вольно избрал понести ужасающую смерть, предлагая Себя как «выкуп за многих». Как невинное «овча на заколение ведеся» (Ис. 53, 7), наш Царь отдал Свою жизнь во искупление и спасение наши. Своею Честною Кровию Он смыл проклятие прошлого и «исхитил нас от смерти», открыв нам паки врата райские.
Христос стал нашей надеждой и спасением, не только подъяв человеческое естество из состояния падения, но вознеся его превыше изначальной славы. Его благодатию мы усыновлены как чада Бога-Отца, соделав нас наследниками Его Царствия. Огненный меч к тому не хранит врата райские, и Христос, взяв человека за руку, ведет нас к Своему Отцу – возводя нас в Свет невечерний и славу, где «небесная и земная праведно ликуют с Адамом, паки воззванного в раи».
В этом, мои возлюбленные сестры и братья, заключается смысл Пасхи — нового Исхода. Это есть восстановление, исполнение и момент свершения могущественных дел Бога, Который желает, чтобы все люди спаслись и жили в великолепии Его Царства. Все это свершилось потому, что Бог «так возлюбил мир» — не через наши собственные усилия или какие-либо личные заслуги. Как мудро напоминает нам святой Василий, «мы ничего доброго не сотворили на лице земли». Скорее, это есть безусловная любовь Бога к Его творению, которая открывается нам в Распятии и Воскресении Христа.
Хотя Пасха празднуется только один раз в год, весть о нашем спасении и освобождении от греха и смерти — это вечное и непрестанное благовестие. Потому восторжествуем и возрадуемся: «Христос Воскресе!», — не только неся эту весть всем людям, но и стремясь жить ею каждое мгновение в славословии и благодарении — «ибо крестом Твоим все мы хвалимся. Святое древо креста Твоего на всякий день и час возвращает нам бесценное богатство, ибо всех нас оно опять вводит в рай».
Пусть радость, жизнь и лучезарный свет, исходящий из Опустевшего Гроба Господня, пребудут с вами, вашими близкими и всем миром.
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ – ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ
С отеческой любовью и благословением о Воскресшем Господе
+Архиепископ Фиатирский и Великобританский Никита
Святая и Великая Пасха 2025 г.
On Sunday 6th April 2025, the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent – St Mary of Egypt – His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Christ the Saviour, Woolwich.
Serving with His Eminence were the Revd Presbyter Thomas Koutroukis, Priest-in-Charge of the parish, the Revd Archdeacon George Tsourous, and the Revd Deacon Charalambos Clark white the V. Revd Archimandrite Michael Pazinas joined prayerfully in the altar.
In his homily, His Eminence reflected on the striking example of St Mary of Egypt—a figure of great repentance and transformation. He urged the faithful to take her life seriously as a call to return to Christ with humility and courage.
The Archbishop also encouraged families to uphold the tradition of attending church during Holy Week and Pascha, especially by bringing their children to the Paschal Liturgy and staying through to receive Holy Communion. “Teach them not only the Resurrection in word,” he said, “but by your presence at the Liturgy that proclaims it.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and faithful gathered for a warm and generous parish meal, hosted by the Church community—an opportunity for fellowship as the Great Fast draws toward its end.
Photo credit: Alexios Gennaris
On Friday, 21st March 2025, the Parish of St Anthony the Great in Newcastle had the blessing of receiving His Grace Bishop Raphael of Ilion, who presided over the Third Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos, a candlelit service deeply cherished during the Lenten season.
Concelebrating with the parish priest, the Revd Presbyter Symeon Tobias Menne, His Grace was joined in prayer by a faithful congregation, to whom he also offered the opportunity for holy confession following the service.
In his pastoral address, His Grace reflected on the history and spiritual depth of the Akathist Hymn, drawing attention to the “joyful sorrow” that characterises these uniquely placed services throughout the Fast. With warmth and theological clarity, he spoke of the Most Holy Theotokos as our ever-present intercessor—the one to whom we turn in pleading and thanksgiving, as we journey through Lent toward the Resurrection of her Son and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
This message of deep gratitude and continual supplication also formed the heart of His Grace’s homily during a previous visit to the Parish, on the occasion of its Patronal Feast Day. On Sunday, 19th January 2025, Bishop Raphael presided at the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with the Revd Oeconomos Andreas Amirhom and the Revd Presbyter Symeon Tobias Menne. The celebration concluded with the service of Artoklasia for the health and protection of the faithful, followed by a festal meal lovingly prepared by the parishioners, who gathered in joy and thanksgiving around their Bishop.
The Parish of St Anthony the Great continues to grow in faith, reverence, and community spirit, enriched by moments of worship, fellowship, and the gracious presence of the Hierarchs of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.
