Clergy / Lay Conference
On Friday and Saturday the 8th and 9th of May, the Archdiocese of Thyateira arranged a Cleric-Laity conference in London. It was held at the Church of St Mary at Wood Green. Over the two days lay and clergy representatives from most Orthodox churches from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland took part. Our community was represented by Fr Vissarion and the chairman of the committee, Mr Papadopoullos
The conference was chaired by His Eminence the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain Gregorios. His Grace Athanasios, Bishop of Tropaeou and The Right Reverend Chrysostomos the Bishop of Kyaneon were also there, as well as the president of the Association of Greek Orthodox Churches of Great Britain Mr Marios Minaides
The Ambassador of Greece Mr Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras was the first to address the conference. Mr Ioannis Koukoularides Consul General of Cyprus, Mr Andreas Karaolis on behalf of Mr Christos Karaolis, president of the Federation of Cypriots in the UK, and Mr Andreas Papaevripides, president of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) also addressed it
Discussion concentrated on the new Constitution which will replace the original one written in 1964. The new constitution was approved, and it will come into force once the Patriarchate endorses it
The newly formed Central Fund was also discussed. It was established with the aim of helping small communities. The conference agreed that we must all help to reinforce the Central Fund and expressed its displeasure that some rich communities have not contributed to the fund yet
At the end of the conference a commemorative photo was taken with the Archbishop and other dignitaries
Report and photos: Michael Papadopoullos