17th Symposium

Our Community organises every autumn an Annual Symposium.

We usually invite 2-3 speakers who talk on a general theme of common interest.

This year we had our 17th Symposium, dedicated to: “The Hellenic Education in the modern era”.

Fr. Anastasios and Mr. Pantelis Demosthenous offered the Community’s greetings.

His Grace Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria (Church of Cyprus) was the first speaker.

He talked on: “The pastoral work of the Church in Education and especially in the time of modern technology and internet”.

Then Mr. Savvas Pavlides, who is in charge of the Cyprus Educational Mission in Great Britain, talked on: “The Hellenic Community Education in the United Kingdom”.

The teacher Mrs. Nicky Andreou talked also on: “The material of the programme «Education for Greeks Abroad»”.

Dr. Serafim Kiriakidis was on the chair of the Symposium.

After the talks there was a lively discussion and many people expressed their views on the matter.

Then all participants were invited to dinner offered by our Community at the Community Hall.

Sponsored Walk

Last Sunday, after the morning Service at the Church, we had the annual Sponsored Walk.

The event is organised once a year by 4 good ladies of our Community, namely Mary Nicholaou, Mary Papapavlou, Martha Constantinou and Gina Panayi.

The ladies prepare all the paper work for the event; they also provide water for all walkers, as well as cakes etc. for all people who get involved.

This year was the 6th year that this event was being organised. And it was once again greatly successful.

Leader of the Sponsored Walk this year was His Grace Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, who had just celebrated the Episcopal Divine Liturgy at our Church.

Fr. Anastasios, Dr. Serafim Kiriakidis, George Kostopoulos, Panagiotis Argyrou, as well as many of the teachers and pupils of our St. Panteleimon Hellenic College had taken part in the 3 miles Walk. The total number of walkers was: 70.

All the walkers together collected £5800 towards the fundraising for our new Church. Fr. Anastasios alone had collected £2670.

This event has proved quite popular and generated valuable funds for our newly built Church.

Episcopal Divine Liturgy

Last Sunday Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria (Church of Cyprus) presided over the Episcopal Divine Liturgy which was celebrated at our Church.

He was assisted by Fr. Anastasios and Deacon Savvas.

His Grace delivered an excellent sermon and conveyed the blessings of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus to our congregation.

Our Church was fully packed for the Holy Service.

Many people, both young and old, male and female, received Holy Communion.

After the Service the leaders of our Community offered coffee, tea and refreshments at our Community Hall.

Bishop Gregorios and the President of our Community Mr. Pantelis Demosthenous were both offered commemorative plaques by the Mr. Nicos Hidjistefanou, who is the Chairman of the Karavas Association.

Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria

Tonight we were honoured to welcome in our Holy Church His Grace Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, who came especially from Cyprus today in order to visit our Community, Church and College.

He was accompanied by Mr. Savvas Pavlides, Inspector of Greek Schools in Great Britain and person in charge of the Cyprus Educational Mission, as well as by Mr. Panicos Herodotou, one of the Founders of our newly built Church.

His Grace and the other guests, were welcomed by Fr. Anastasios, Mr. Pantelis Demosthenous, Dr. Serafim Kiriakidis and other leaders of our Community.

They visited our Hellenic College of St. Panteleimon and talked with the teachers and students.

Garden landscaping

The time has now come for the green grass to be placed on our newly landscaped Community garden.

Demetris Zorpides is our Chief Gardener, owner of the GEBOSS Garden Landscaping and Maintenance Company.

Young Romanian workers are assisting him in his efforts to transform our garden into a beautiful green area.

Pavement

The pavement in front of our Church is being re-constructed today.

This is the pavement just in front of one of the exits from our Church yard, very much needed for the safe and secure passing of both people and cars.

The local Council (London Borough of Harrow) is responsible for this work.

Hopefully by the end of the day it will be ready.

Almost ready

Works continue at the back gardens of our Community premises.

The timber fence is almost ready and soon -probably by this afternoon- it will be completed.

Fortunately the weather has been complimentary to us and it is on our side during this process of regenerating the gardens.

Apart from the actual fence works are also being organised in other parts of the gardens.

Fence in the making

Today our dedicated Romanian employees had spent a big part of the day constructing the new timber fence.

The soil is still an issue at the garden, but it is taken care off.

The new fence will be good from various points of view.

Safety is obviously an important factor and soon the fence will secure our premises.

New soil

The gardens are slowly - slowly being transformed and taking the right shape.

New and healthy soil is placed on them today.

New fence is ready to be placed there, while flowers and trees are designed to be planted soon.