On the evening of Monday, 14th August 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas blessed and dedicated the beautiful mosaic icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos commissioned and donated by Mr Peter Demetriou, Archon Kastritsios of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
This icon now decorates the façade of the Church. Great Vespers for the Feast of Dormition followed and was attended by numerous clergy and hundreds of faithful.
On Tuesday, 15th August 2023, His Eminence The Archbishop presided Matins and concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Wood Green. He was joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Colognia and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis. Also concelebrating were the Very Rev. Archimandrite Theophanis Petrou, the Rev. Hieromonk Bartholomew from the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, the Rev. Dr. Protopresbyter Athanasios Gikas, Rev Protopresbyter Assistant Priest Panayiotis Dik, Rev. Oeconomos Stylianos Savva, Rev. Presbyter Petros Georgiou, Archdeacon Dr George Tsourous, and Deacon Gregory Florides.
Distinguished guests in attendance included H.E the Hon. Mrs Iphigenia Kanara, Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, Ms Melivia Demetriou, Political Counsellor of the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus, and Pambos Charalambou, MP for Enfield, alongside Counsellor Stephen Man of the Croydon Council with his esteemed wife. The Archbishop delivered a sermon emphasizing the importance of the Dormition of the Mother of God, who embraced God through her unwavering obedience, urging the great numbes of faithful in attancenace to follow the example of the Theotokos in their lives.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis extended a warm welcome to His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas and expressed gratitude to Archon Peter Demetriou ( of Demetriou and English) for commissioning the mosaic icon of the Dormition. In appreciation, a commemorative medal was presented to Mr. Demetriou for his service to the Community. Archon Demetriou responded by offering an icon of St. Nikitas the Great-Martyr to our Archbishop.
The Community at Wood Green celebrated its annual Greek festival, introducing and celebrating with the local residents Hellenic culture, food, and music. Various stands were set up, offering traditional Greek Cypriot delicacies and products from Greece, Cyprus, and other Orthodox countries, providing an opportunity for attendees to interact and enjoy fellowship. The festivities concluded with a reception in the Church’s Hall, attended by clergy, the Parish Council, and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Photo courtesy: Alexios Gennaris
