Steve finished his journey

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we announce the completion of Steve Keyes’ Cycle Tour.

He has cycled about 1000 miles from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O'Groats in Scotland.

He has taken this initiative in support of our new Church’s Fundraising Campaign.

His wife Stavroulla send us an e-mail saying that “With God's help he did it and I thank Him for this”.

Steve is back home now having a well earned rest. The pictures on this post are from those that he managed to take along the way.

St. Panteleimon Day

Hundreds of people attended yesterday our festivities in honour of our Patron Saint Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Healer.

It was the first time that we commemorated our Patron Saint in our new Church.

His Grace Bishop Chrysostomos of Kyanea presided over the Episcopal Divine Liturgy. Fr. Theophanis, Fr. Anastasios and Deacon Nicolaos assisted.

A coach came from Brighton bringing pilgrims - members of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

Archim. Germanos Kourkounis, the Parish Priest in Brighton, was also with them.

After the Holy Service the Community leaders offered hospitality to all members of the congregation.

St.Panteleimon Eve

Last night (on St. Panteleimon Eve) we sung in our new Church the Holy Service of Great and Festal Vespers.

His Grace Bishop Athanasios of Tropaiou presided; Fr. Theophanis, Fr. Anastasios and Deacon Constantinos took part in the Service.

Many chanters from various Greek Orthodox Parishes in London attended the Service and offered their good voices to the celebration.

The congregation consisted of a very good turn up of many people, both members of our Church as well as pilgrims from other areas.

At the end of the Service the holy icon of St. Panteleimon was taken in a procession around the Church.

After the Service the Ladies of our Church welcomed everyone at the Church Hall and offered delicious refreshments.

Children in our Patronal Festival

One of the innovations at our Patronal Festival (of last Sunday) for this year was the coming of so many children and families from our St. Panteleimon Hellenic College.

That was due to the new spirit brought in by new members of the College Committee.

Bouncy Castle, popcorn, various other activities were introduced this year.

Above all the activity that attracted most children was the face painting.

It should be said that those activities brought also some money for the Church Fund.

An excellent preparation and work which has to be commended.

Annual Community BBQ

After the Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy at our newly built Church yesterday the leaders of our Community organised the Annual Community BBQ.

The weather was excellent and so the BBQ was very successful.

Hundreds of people attended it and stayed in our Community premises for many hours.

Traditional foods, sweets and drinks, accompanied by live Greek music were offered to our quests.

Everyone enjoyed themselves and were very happy.

The Church Committee had collected some money from the BBQ and the raffle that were put towards the Church Fund.

Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy

Today we had our Annual Community Festival, in memory of our Patron Saints, St. Panteleimon and St. Paraskevi.

His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain presided over the Holy Service.

Hundreds of people attended the Service and many members of our congregation received Holy Communion.

The Service was also attended by the Lady Mayor of Barnet Cllr. Lisa Rutter, who is Greek and daughter of a Greek Orthodox Priest.

The Archbishop was accompanied by two of his deacons, Fr. Evangelos and Fr. Pavlos.

The young boy Alexandros Charalambous sung for the Archbishop the hymn of St. Panteleimon.