Your Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain,
Beloved members of the clergy and the church committee,
Dear chanters, parishioners and guests,
When the emissaries of St. Vladimir the Great visited the Great Church of Hagia Sophia in the tenth century, they confessed that they did not know whether they were in heaven or on earth. Who could imagine that, in this beautiful stone church of the Twelve Apostles with its spectacular iconography, we too may declare the same sentiments in twenty-first century England? Indeed, the iconography of this church is connected to the iconography of the newly-constructed St. Nicholas Shrine on Ground Zero in New York inasmuch as both are beautifully created by the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Xenofontos on Mount Athos.
Yet this is precisely the miracle of our parishes and communities throughout the Eparchies of the Throne of Constantinople across the diaspora. Although we may find ourselves thousands of kilometers from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, nevertheless we feel truly at home. We are at home – as if we were in the Patriarchal Church of St. George, where we pray every day. We are at home – as if we were in the Great Church of Hagia Sophia, which stands as an unfailing symbol of one thousand five hundred years. And we are at home – as if we were in the heaven, before the throne of our Father.
We begin then by thanking the Almighty God for providing this exceptional opportunity and blessing to visit such a wonderful and vibrant community that makes the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Orthodox Church proud with the diversity of its services and ministries. And we congratulate all of you – from your caring pastor, Archbishop Nikitas; to your tireless clergy and chanters, to the very last parishioners, young and old – for the invaluable service that you render for the glory of God and the benefit of His people.
May this blessing of the waters (this Ἁγιασμός) be a source of inspiration and strength to all of you not only in the new community center that you are currently constructing. May it bring new life and refreshment in every activity that you undertake. May it also enrich the work that you have done in broadcasting the treasures of our liturgical tradition throughout the United Kingdom over so many years.
And be assured that you are always in our prayers, just as you are all welcome to visit us at the Phanar – which is your home! – at any time with your families and friends.
May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of our God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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