Cyprus Relief

Dear Parishioners,

I am sure you will have seen on the news the awful fires and their impact on our brothers and sisters in Cyprus. His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas has set up a fund through the archdiocese to send relief to Cyprus during this difficult time.

Our parish, due to the fact there will be no service this week, will be sending a contribution to the Archdiocese on all of our behalf.

There is a lot of need, so, if you feel so moved, you can donate personally and directly to the Archdiocese at these details:

Bank: Metro Bank

Account Name: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain

Acc: 43198369

Sort: 23-05-80

Ref: Cyprus Relief

It is also possible to send a cheque payable to 'Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain' with "Cyprus Relief" on the reverse at their postal address.

As His Eminence notes in his letter attached below, "...ask yourselves "what would Christ do?" It is not enough for us to just pray, talk about the problems or hesitate. Action is required now.

His Beatitude Georgios the Archbishop of Nea Justiana and all Cyprus will attend the Church in Harrow soon for St Panteleimon's feast day, it would be good if people could support this cause according to their strength and as soon as possible.

Best wishes,

Fr Gregory Wellington

Priest-in-charge

And

The Trustees and Committee of the Greek Orthodox Community of Milton Keynes and surrounding districts.

Movie Night

Dear Parents and Adult Students,

We are delighted to invite you this Thursday to Greek School to watch two movies together!

5:00 pm: First movie, for our young students and their parents.

7:00 pm: Second movie, for our adult students and anyone else interested in joining. For adults who are unable to attend in person, you can join online via Zoom at 6:45 pm.

The school will be open to everyone on this day, so please feel free to extend this invitation to friends or anyone who might be interested in joining us.

We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday!

Warm regards,

The Greek School

Celebration of Our Lady of Blachernae

The Celebration of Our Lady of Blachernae in the Greek Orthodox Community of Milton Keynes.

On Sunday, July 6th of this year and as planned, we celebrated the summer Feast of our Community, solemnly honoring the Blachernae of the eternal City, the city of Constantine, in England, at the Church of Saints Ambrose & Stylian, which houses Her Chapel.

A Liturgy and Blessing of the Icons were held and after the Procession of the Icon, which due to rain took place inside the Church, Holy Water was distributed to the Congregation amidst feelings of devotion and emotion. The Holy Water arrived in our Community from the Pilgrimage Church of Saint Blacherna, in the Golden Horn at the Lighthouse, from exactly where the inscription <<NIPSON ANOMIMATA MI MONAN OPSIN>> has been carried for many years and times, to our own Parish, to our Chapel. We are beyond grateful to those who took care of sending it to us.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Most Rev. Archimandrite Theophanes Petrou, who has at times pastored our parish in the past, who was accompanied by the Priestly Head of our Community, Economos Gregory Wellington and who preached the Feast of the Feast.

A crowd of believers filled our Church, not only from the parishioners of the area but also from people who traveled several hours to worship and receive Holy Water that came <<from the City>>.

A treat followed in the Church dining room, which was taken care of by the ladies of the Auxiliary Brotherhood, in the same building, which every Thursday afternoon is divided into two smaller rooms to be transformed into a teaching room, which houses two classes of our Greek School.

Our Community experienced another beautiful day of prayer, gathering and communication, which gave joy and emotion to all our fellow people.