On Sunday, February 20, 2022, Sunday of the Prodigal Son, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom in Bayswater. The V. Reverend Archimandrites Theonas Bakalis, Cathedral Dean, and Nephon Tsimalis, Director of The Office of the Archbishop, concelebrated.
Prior to the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas elevated Rev. Dr. George Tsourous, to the rank of Archdeacon of the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.
The new Archdeacon was born in Athens in 1984 and hails from Chios and Krini of Asia Minor. He is married, and holds a PhD from the School of Social Anthropology, University of Kent, England, majoring in Anthropology of Christianity and Inter-Christian Relations in the Holy Land (2018). A graduate of Panteion University, he has also completed postgraduate studies at the University of London (SOAS) specializing in the cultural relations of Christianity and Islam (2012 – 2013). He speaks Arabic, English, French, and Greek.
The new Archdeacon has already undertaken numerous responsibilities, such as representing the Holy Archdiocese to religious and educational organisations. Currently he is on the Council of Christians and Jews in the United Kingdom and a Trustee of the School of St. Apostle Andrew in North London. He is also presently conducting research for the International Community of the Holy Sepulchre (ICoHS) on how to best support Christians in the Holy Land.
