ELECTIONS for NEW ECCLESIASTICAL / COMMUNITY COMMITTEE - 16 March 2025

To all Members and Parishioners of the Greek Orthodox Community of Milton Keynes and Surrounding District, Greek Orthodox Church of Sts. Ambrosios & Stylianos, Chapel of St. Mary of Vlachernae.  

                                                                              _______________________________________

Notice is hereby given that after consultation (*) with our Archdiocese (The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain) and as it was announced after the Church Service on Sunday 16th of February 2025, Elections for a New Ecclesiastical/Community Committee  will take place  on 16th of March 2025 after the end of the Holy Liturgy at the premises of our Church of Sts. Ambrosios & Stylianos, Chapel of St. Mary of Vlachernae, London Rd, Stony Stratford Milton Keynes, MK11 1JA.

Members of the Greek Orthodox Community of Milton Keynes and Surrounding District are : 

1) The Orthodox Christians who (if not of Greek origin ) have been accepted in the  (Greek) Orthodox Church by Baptism or Chrismation.

2) Do not belong to another jurisdiction or Community,

3) Are twenty years old and above. 

Eligibility to elect or stand for Election:

1) To live in the area for at least one year

2) To respect and follow the rules and regulation of the Community which is part of the Greek Archdiocese of Thyateira & Great Britain, belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, 

3) To be a Registered Member (completed the Annual Membership Form) with the Community at least six months to the date of the Elections (**)

4) To be a devout Orthodox Christian, attend Church Services regularly and participate in the life of the Community.

Members who wish to stand for Election must put their name forward by 9th of March 2025 by Email or by post, so the List of Candidates be prepared. 

(*) Elections traditionally normally take place in November

(**) Parishioners who are long standing Members, have been registered with the Community for three consecutive  years and completed their Membership Form three months before the date of Election can vote or stand to be elected to serve as a Committee Member.   

UPDATES / COMMUNITY NEWS / ANNOUNCEMENTS

February - March 2025

Together again for our usual communication. We are already in the third week of the shortest month of the year, February. The month was welcomed with the regular TO STEKI MAS/Our Place  that becomes more and more popular as friends and members meet for a chat, coffee/tea and a piece of (mostly traditional Greek) cake on Saturday 1/2. The day ended with a Greek Evening, The Annual Ball. A most successful event, the Hellenic live music, songs and traditional dance, lovely food, lively and pleasant atmosphere offered a very happy Fundraising event, with good raffle prizes. 

The Esteemed Mr Christos Goulas, Consul of the Republic of Greece in London who sat with our  Priest in Charge, Oikonomos Gregorios Wellington, honoured the evening with his presence. 

The Trustees and the Committee take the opportunity to offer sincere THANKS to all who helped to make this evening a great success. Every person who volunteered to assist, from decorating and planning the sitting of the venue, all present who supported our effort, to all who donated prizes for the raffle and special thanks to the young people who will eventually take the reins to run the affairs of the Community. Last but not least, we are grateful to the GREEK BROTHERS who once more they gave their time freely to make the evening so lively. Of course THANK YOU DELTA DANCERS, again! 

Next day, Sunday 2/2 The Feast of The Presentation of The Lord in the Temple, our School together with the Congregation, celebrated the Feast of the Three Hierarchs. The younger pupils of the School read, sang  and recited poems in connection with the Three Great Teachers of our nation and our teachers received a small token-gift as a souvenir of the day.  Keeping tradition alive, the Apolytikion of St Basil was chanted and the celebration culminated with the Blessing and Cutting of the AyioVasilopita.

A week after, Sunday of the Tax collector & the Pharisee saw the start of Carnival season, Sunday of the Prodigal Son and a Church Service came and gone, the School half term break arrived and before long the third month of the year, March will be with us.  

Another busy weekend is on the cards, Let us meet at the STEKI MAS/Our Place on Saturday 1/3, for the usual coffee/tea/cake etc. It coincides with St David's Day, one of the Saints of the British Isles as our Church Calendar informs us. Let us "deck the hall with daffodils" and come and join us, 10.30 to 3pm.

Yes, it will be a busy weekend as the day will continue with a Carnival Party for the whole family, from 5 to 9pm. As it was previously announced the entrance will be free, food, soft drinks and small cakes will be on sale. We will be happy to see you, we are sure we will have a good time.

Church Services for March 2025:

2/3 Cheesefare Sunday 9.30am

7/3 Friday, Presanctified H, Liturgy Service 5.30pm followed by the  First Salutations to Panayia

16/3 Sunday, 9,30am Feast of St Gregorios Palamas (Pater Gregorios Name Day)

30/3 Sunday St. John of the Ladder 9.30am., followed by celebrating the Feast of Annunciation and Doxology for the 25th March Commemoration, teachers and pupils of our School participating

NOTICE: Elections for a New Ecclesiastica/Community will take place on 16th of March 2025 after the Church Service. Details will follow separately, in a short time.

Carnival