Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy today, on Tuesday, September 15, at the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Bayswater, London.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the occasion of the name day of Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in London on Monday evening, September 14, beginning a week-long visit to the United Kingdom.
Upon his arrival at London Heathrow Airport, the Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed by Archbishop Nikitas. Greek Ambassador to the United Kingdom Ioannis Tsaousis was also present.
During his stay in the United Kingdom, the Ecumenical Patriarch is scheduled to meet privately with King Charles III at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
As part of his visit, the Ecumenical Patriarch will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Chichester and will deliver an address at the University of Oxford.
On Sunday, September 20, he will visit the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, where he will preside from the throne during the Divine Liturgy.
Patriarch Bartholomew is accompanied by Metropolitan Dimitrios, Elder of the Princes’ Islands; Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria; Metropolitan Ioakeim of Lambis, Syvritos and Sfakia; Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office; and Deacon Evlogios Tsatsas, Codicographer of the Holy and Sacred Synod.
The Patriarchal delegation also includes Nikolaos-Georgios Papachristou, Director of the Patriarchal Press and Communications Office, and Panagiotis Grafiadellis, a staff member of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
During the Ecumenical Patriarch’s absence, Metropolitan Emmanuel, Elder of Chalcedon, has been appointed as his representative. Metropolitan Emmanuel, together with Grand Archdeacon Alexandros, saw Patriarch Bartholomew off at the airport in Constantinople.