On Tuesday, 15 September 2026, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided at the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cathedral of the Wisdom of God in Bayswater, London.
On this day, on which our Church honours the memory of Saint Nikitas the Great Martyr of the Goths, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain celebrates his name day.
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch congratulated Archbishop Nikitas on his feast day and expressed his Patriarchal satisfaction for the work being accomplished in this great province of the Ecumenical Throne, saying emphatically: “We esteem you, we love you, we trust you!” [Read the address here]
Before this, Archbishop Nikitas addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch with words of devotion and respect. At the end, the Ecumenical Patriarch conferred the Office of Archon Orphanotrophos upon Mr. Panagiotis Gikas, a distinguished Orthopedic Surgeon.
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch congratulated the new Archon and noted that the Great Church honored him for his great, selfless offering to his suffering fellow man, “and for the fact that in your work, scientific expertise has not been separated from virtue.” [Read the address here]
At midday, the Ecumenical Patriarch blessed the festive luncheon hosted by the celebrating Archbishop Nikitas, which was attended by leaders of other Churches and confessions, as well as other religious communities of London. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed a warm greeting to all present, while once again offering his wishes to the Archbishop of Thyateira and and Great Britain. [Read the remarks here]
Photographs: Nikos Papachristou
