Foundation Ceremony [A']

On Sunday 13th September 2009 at 5.00 pm his Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain had blessed the foundation of our new Church.

It was quite an important and historical moment for our Community, which has worked for the last 12 years in order to come to this point.

The Foundation Stone laid by the Archbishop, with the help of two members of our Youth, reads:

THE FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID
ON THIS MOST VENERABLE TEMPLE

ON 13TH SEPTEMBER 2009

BY HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP GREGORIOS
OF THYATEIRA AND GREAT BRITAIN

IN GLORY OF THE HOLY TRIUNE GOD

AND IN HONOUR OF THE HOLY GLORIOUS GREAT MARTYR

PANTELEIMON THE HEALER

Together with the Foundation Stone we've laid a case with soil from various holy places of Hellenism (Greece and Cyprus), as well as from the Holy Land, and also a bottle with Holy Water from Cyprus.

The Archbishop had blessed the Foundation Stone as well as all those present with the Holy Water. Then he explained the significance of such an important project, by referring to the work being done in the years of the Old Testament by King Solomon, who had built a glorious temple for his subjects.

The Ceremony was well attended by clergy and laity, leaders and benefactors of the Community, members and friends who came from far distances in order to participate in such an important event.

Among those present was Mr. Stefanos Stefanou, the Chairman of John Doyle Plc, the company that builds the Church, with the Project Manager Mr. Andy Hogan. The Great Benefactor of the Community Mr. Herodotou came from Romania especially for this Ceremony. Most of the engineers and other specialists involved in the designing and building of the Church were also there.

The Chairman of the Community, Mr. Pantelis Demosthenous, greeted those present with kind words, emphasising the importance of the project for the present and especially for the future of the Community.

After the Foundation Ceremony Vespers was sung at the Church and then the Ladies of St. Agatha Sisterhood had kindly offered a reception in the Community premises.

It was a memorable and truly historical day for our Community!