1989 - 2024
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY
OF SAINTS AMBROSE AND STYLIANOS
CHAPEL OF THE VIRGIN OF VLACHERNAS
MILTON KEYNES & SURROUNDING AREAS

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After confirming a significant presence of expatriates in the newly established town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire (which later had the potential to be declared a city), the Community was founded on December 7, 1989, to meet the religious, educational, cultural, and other needs of these individuals. With its establishment, the Community provided an opportunity for those who wished to preserve the customs and traditions of their ancestors, pass them on to future generations, and cultivate and speak their language, in short, to maintain their identity in the rapidly developing multicultural area.

History was written and etched on the map of the region in indelible ink when the trumpets of Orthodoxy and Hellenism sounded for the first time on that rainy Thursday evening with the blessed Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, Ireland, and Melitene, Gregory, founding our Community. Thus, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira, established in 1922 in the country that hosts us, gained another child, a daughter in the "embrace" of our Ecumenical Throne.

A handful of souls, uprooted either involuntarily or voluntarily from their homelands, gathered at the Anglo-Catholic Church of St. Martin in Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes, to witness the establishment of this historic event. The founders chose the name "Saint Stylianos" for the Community, as he protects children; however, since the first Divine Liturgy was held on the feast day of Saint Ambrose, our Community was born with two patron saints and the title, "Greek Orthodox Community of Milton Keynes and Surrounding Areas, Holy Church of Saints Ambrose and Stylianos."

To preserve the Greek Christian tradition and pass on our linguistic heritage to future generations, a short time later, the Community established the Greek School, which belongs to the Central Educational Council of the Archdiocese and is administered by the Ecclesiastical/Community Committee. Initially, graduate students from Greece and the Priest served selflessly in our School, followed by educators from the Greek Educational Mission (E.E.A.) and then from the Cypriot Educational Mission (C.E.A.), either appointed or hourly.

The establishment of the Ladies' Auxiliary Association, "Saint Demetrius," soon followed.

We were housed in the aforementioned Church of St. Martin for twenty years, without being charged. We are forever grateful to all those who hosted us, from the Priest, the Guardians, and the Commissioners to the assistants.

During this entire time, the School "toured" various school buildings, but our goal from day one was to obtain our own premises, for better service to all the Community's needs, under our "Own Roof." The effort we made to achieve this goal was immense: firstly, suitable buildings were few; secondly, it was well beyond our means as the Community's funds were low; and thirdly, they were snapped up quickly.

The thirst for having "our own space" was pressing, and ultimately our efforts bore fruit. With God's help, we found the right building. A former Anglo-Catholic Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary - St Mary The Virgin - designed by George Gilbert Scott, built in 1864 in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire. In 1969, it ceased functioning as a place of worship, and after many (unfortunate) changes to its interior and fortunately few to its exterior, the building was converted into a Community Center and soon designated a Listed building (Listed Grade II) by the State Authorities in its equally historic (and prominent) location. It functioned as a Community Center for several years until the Oxford Diocese, to which it belonged, decided to put it up for sale.

Our Community was registered as a Trust in 2007 with the official title "Greek Orthodox Community of Milton Keynes and Surrounding District" at the Charities Commission (Reg Charity No 1118744), and we decided to try to acquire the aforementioned Church.

We knocked on small and large doors and windows that would not open, we became tired and frustrated, but we did not back down. Believing that the goal we set from the beginning was sacred encouraged our intentions, and we moved forward with all our strength. The times were difficult, interest rates high, and finding a loan was not easy.

A personal friend and supporter of the Community, with a Greek mother and deep Christian roots, through her brother, put us in contact with Charity Bank. The bank was convinced and trusted us. The interest rate was huge, with special terms, but we had no other choice; we took on a huge burden and, with the Virgin's help, moved forward.

The real estate agent (God-fearing) was under pressure from the owners but, sympathizing with our efforts, managed to secure special permission (under special license) for a first Divine Service to be held so that the townspeople could get to know us (and like us).

The process took three days; the first was to clean the abandoned space, move our "things" from the Church that had hosted us, and find seating, tables, etc. The second and most important was on September 14, 2008, the Feast of the Cross. In every corner and on every windowsill, we placed pots of basil, and the refreshed Church opened its doors to welcome known and unknown passersby, clergy from other denominations, and representatives of local authorities. Thus, with the Most Reverend Archbishop Gregory surrounded by Clergy and Cantors, with the space fragrant with basil, the first Orthodox Service was held, followed by a dinner that was honored by almost everyone, most of whom stood.

The next day, we returned our "things," and for a few more months, we remained in the Church that had housed us for a long time.

Before all the work was completed, and again with special permission that the real estate agent arranged for us, we took the keys, gathered our belongings, and definitively said goodbye to St. Martin's Church. In March 2009, we held the Salutations here where we are now. The Virgin returned to Her home. The wandering School followed. Holy Week passed with deep emotion, and of course, Easter was celebrated like never before.

A part of the Holy Church "belongs" to the Virgin since it was dedicated to Her from the time it was built. The initial title of the Community was amended to include Her name, and the Community is now officially called the "Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Ambrose and Stylianos, Chapel of the Virgin of Vlachernas."

Before the ink was dry on the contracts, the adjacent building, "St. Mary's Parish Rooms," which was built in 1892 by the architect and native of the area, Edward Swinfen Harris, to "assist" the Church in its work, was put up for sale. In the same manner as the Church, through Secret Tender. We could not let it go. The Church did not have a courtyard; the garden between the two buildings belonged to the adjacent building. We put in our best efforts again, the same efforts and the same anxieties. And again, the aforementioned Bank supported us, of course for a fee. Thus, in 2010, the Community acquired its Hall. Slowly, the goals we initially set for the creation of the Community began to take shape.

The building was in a state of neglect, the garden at its rear was impenetrable due to overgrowth. We united our efforts once more. With small grants from local authorities and elsewhere, the kitchen, the smaller room at the back, and the garden were renovated. Recently, a larger renovation took place.

The Community Hall was named "Swinfen Harris Church Hall" not only in honor of the Architect but also to maintain a connection with the history, past, and residents of the town, which remains traditional. Like the Church, it is a listed building and is located in the Conservation Area, subject to inviolable regulations.

The Hall serves the Community's needs, houses a class of the School, and is rented by the hour. We are careful about the rental terms.

We finally left Charity Bank a few years ago, and with God's and the Virgin's help, our loan was taken over by another institution with a much lower interest rate.

All these years, we have tried and continue to try to keep the triad, Church-School-Family together and close, not always easy and not always feasible—there are so many other distractions—but we try. We take joy in seeing the children of our School come to the Church (as it is their space since the School is housed here) for the Blessing to start the Academic Year, the National anniversaries, the Celebration of the Three Hierarchs, etc. We ensure that these celebrations take place in the Holy Church for obvious reasons. The School has not ceased operation since its founding. Even during the pandemic, it functioned online. As happens at times, it faced difficult paths and storms...

Due to our financial weakness, we are often served by a visiting Priest. We have met remarkable Clergy whom we remember with love, appreciation, and respect. And in this area, there have been difficult paths and storms... but we have managed, we continue to manage, and we thank the Archdiocese for being our supporter in our efforts.

This year, on December 7, 2024, we celebrate thirty-five years of Greek Orthodox presence and community action in our area, and we are doing everything we can to remain faithful to the reasons for which our Community was founded: to serve the needs of our expatriates (and not only) in the region.

In celebrating this anniversary, we are grateful to all who support our work. We are especially thankful to the founders and to those who are no longer with us in this earthly life, who laid the foundation, or at least contributed a stone, to what we have today. Our Community owes them much, and may their memory be eternal.

October 2024.

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