COMMUNITY
British-Cypriot Bambos Charalambous wins Enfield Southgate constituency.
Labour’s Bambos Charalambous has been re-elected with 48.5 per cent of the vote and a majority of 4,450.
Labour took this seat from the Conservatives in 2015. Before that the Tories held the seat since 1950 with (the exception, 1997 and 2001 elections, with Stephen Twigg wins for the Labour party and elected-government).
In 2017 Charalambous won 51.7 per cent of the vote with a majority of 4,355 so results this year are very similar to before.
Running against Mr Charalambous and the closest competitor is David Burrowes, who was MP for the constituency for 12 years until 2017.
Burrowes got 39.1 per cent of the vote which accounted for 18,473 votes.
In the 2016 EU Referendum the constituency was fiercely Remain with 62.1 per cent of the electorate voting to remain in the European Union.
The constituency has an interesting make up with the southern parts being fairly urban and the northern parts semi-rural.
Enfield Southgate results:
2017 result: Bambos Charalambous, Labour
Luke Balnave, Green, 1,042
David Burrowes, Conservative, 18,473
Bambos Charalambous, Labour, 22,923
Parag Shah, The Brexit Party, 494
Rob Wilson, Liberal Democrat, 4,344
Photo: Bambos Charalambous Twitter
Article written by London Greek Radio
The former Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain & Thyateria, Gregorios, has died at the age of 91.
He passed away at 7.00am on Wednesday 20th November after several months of ill-health, in the house of the Archdiocese where he had lived for the past 30 years.
Incumbent Archbishop Nikitas paid tribute to his predecessor’s “tall figure” on London Greek Radio.
His Eminence told LGR’s drive-time presenter Pierre Petrou, “This is a very sad day for the community, not only for London and the UK, but for world Orthodoxy. [This is] because we stand in the shadow of someone who gave his life to the church, to the community, to the world; a real servant – a man who lived with humility and led by example, a man who never forgot his roots, his identity. When we lose people like this, who stood as tall figures for us to imitate and for us to follow, there’s a sudden emptiness in our lives. The world becomes poorer.”
It was revealed that the former Archbishop was bedridden since July and was cared for around-the-clock by the clergy, staff and family members at the Archdiocese in London.
Archbishop Gregorios found joy in his last few months of his life when visited by members of the community.
Born in a village within Famagusta, Cyprus on 28th October 1928, he was the ninth and youngest child of the family.
His father was a builder who died when Gregorios was just three-years old.
At the age of 11, Gregorios completed his primary education and became an apprentice shoemaker.
In 1949, he enrolled at the Higher Commercial School in the town of Lefkoniko and two years later, he transferred to the Pan-Cypriot Gymnasium in Nicosia, having become a rassophore.
He was later ordained as a deacon in 1953 at the Church of St. Sava in Nicosia by Archbishop Makarios III.
After graduating from the Gymnasium in 1954, he went to Athens and studied at the Theological School of the University, receiving his university degree in February 1959.
During this time, he was appointed to the Church of All Saints in London and began ministerial duties at the Church of the Holy Saints in Camden Town in April 1959.
In 1964 he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and six years later, he was consecrated Bishop of Tropaiou.
Within hours of being ordained, Gregorios undertook to organise and administer St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Barnabas the Apostle in Wood Green, North London.
He was unanimously elected by the Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain in 1988 and his enthronement took place at the Cathedral of Sophia in West London.
For over thirty years, Archbishop Gregorios worked tirelessly within the community and maintained an open and transparent schedule of attendance at hundreds of community events, in London, the UK and across the world.
As well as attending high-profile appointments with British royalty, politicians and dignitaries, he also made time to preside personally at many Christenings, weddings, and funerals, as well as meet with anyone who sought his spiritual advice and guidance.
With a gentle and reasoned voice, the former Archbishop upheld the concerns of the Greek Orthodox community, expressing the Christian message of peace and reconciliation.
Until his ailing health, Archbishop Gregorios often spoke of repentance and his Christian beliefs were strongly delivered in a modern 21st Century Britain.
Archbishop Nikitas added, “[Archbishop Gregorios] had that wonderful smile and that twinkle in his eyes. The legacy that he leaves is that he was the one who founded many churches and that he ordained many clergy. I think his greatest legacy is seen in his simplicity of character and his humility.”
LGR presenter Pierre Petrou, who knew Archbishop Gregorios for over 20 years said, “Archbishop Gregorios’ presence – physical, intellectual, and spiritual, was a gift to all who knew him. His unwavering faith in Christ gave him a particular perspective both to the church and to all those who he spoke with, as well as when he delivered sermons during his thirty-plus years as Archbishop.”
Archbishop Nikitas reminded those mourning that people should also look at the goodness the former Archbishop brought into the world. “We have to look at his example, his character, and imitate virtues that he tried to live by, especially his love for Christ and the church, which he expressed in his love for all people.”
Funeral arrangements have been released this evening. The body of former Archbishop Gregorios will lie in state, followed by the funeral on Thursday 5th December at 10:30am at the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Wood Green. The Funeral Service, followed by interment at Hendon Cemetery.
Any and all donations and contributions in memory of the late Archbishop Gregorios should be sent to the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, 5 Craven Hill, London W2 3EN.
LGR expresses the sincere condolences to the former Archbishop’s family, friends and the clergy who served with him.
Photo courtesy of Alexios Gennaris
Article written by London Greek Radio
London Greek Radio Celebrates 30 Years of Broadcasting.
The UK’s longest-serving ethnic radio station to hold an FM licence commemorates its birthday.
London Greek Radio, (LGR), celebrates 30 years of broadcasting as a radio station on 13th November 2019, becoming the UK’s longest-serving ethnic radio station to hold an FM licence.
Listeners, presenters, staff and management celebrated its 30th birthday at a “Dinner & Dance” event on 30th October, with Cypriot singer, Stelios Chiotis and others.
Britain’s first-ever licensed ethnic radio station began official broadcasting on 13th November 1989 upon being awarded its licence, breaking ground for changing the landscape of UK radio.
A special day of “celebratory programming” will take place on Wednesday 13th November 2019 from 7am until Midnight to also mark the anniversary.
The book, ‘London’s Pirate Pioneers’ by Stephen Hebditch tells the story of the capital’s pirate radio stations and the people who helped change the British broadcasting system.
LGR’s undeniable legacy and the intense pressures the station faced to be closed down is highlighted by the author. London Greek Radio became Britain’s first-ever licensed ethnic radio station upon being awarded its FM frequency and is the UK’s longest-serving ethnic radio station to hold that FM licence.
The station’s strong community backbone is as relevant now as ever it was.
Over the years, London Greek Radio has become steadfast to a wide range of listeners; from maturing-settlers-to-the-UK, to the coming-of-age of British Greeks and Cypriots – connecting listeners to their roots through a carefully balanced programming of music, speech, entertainment and news.
The station is an integrated part of the communities’ sociable lives including the organising of successful, frequently ‘sold-out’ events such as the annual ‘Dinner & Dance’ to the regular ‘Club-Nights’ which are immensely popular with the station’s younger audience.
Today, in addition to serving communities on 103.3 FM, LGR has been taken into 21st-century broadcasting by joining the Digital Radio platform.
LGR can now be heard in four major cities on DAB+ (digital radio), namely London, Birmingham, Manchester and crossing into Scotland, Glasgow.
As part of the station’s ever-growing expansion, LGR now also broadcasts to Larnaca in Cyprus, on 93 FM, believed to be the first ever FM station in the world to broadcast on FM in another country.
Furthermore, listeners extend worldwide, online at lgr.co.uk and the station has a free app for mobile devices which listeners can download from the App or Play stores, embracing the ‘on-the-move’ audience.
LGR’s Managing Director, Tony Jay, said, “More listeners are discovering the ever-growing London Greek Radio family every day, and it’s not only Greek-speaking listeners but English, Jewish, Albanian, Arab, Bulgarian, Turkish, Russian and many more who frequently tune in.
He added, “LGR is undergoing a revamp with fresh ideas to attract an even wider audience. Exciting times ahead; ‘onwards and upwards’.”
LGR’s Chairman John Kyriakides, said, “With LGR’s edgier playlists of the biggest Greek and Cypriot tunes, Modern Laika, Greek Pop, Entehna, Golden-Oldies, Alternative, Folk and current Chart Hits, we continue to serve the listener.
“It is this fundamental reason that the station remains the preferred choice in most Greek and Cypriot homes, offices, shops, factories, workplaces, vehicles and venues.”
The birthday party continues on 30th November when the station invites you to help celebrate at it’s ‘Greekology‘ Club Night at Trent Park Country Club. To secure your attendance, visit, lgr.co.uk/lgr-presents-greekology-at-the-country-club-2/
Happy Birthday to LGR – Here’s to the next 30 years!
Article written by London Greek Radio
Today, 18th October, marks the first anniversary of the sad passing of LGR’s Founder and former Managing Director, Akis Eracleous, AKA George Power.
All the team at LGR have fond memories of Akis and all his work at London Greek Radio. We wanted to share some beloved memories of Akis, forever with a smile on his face, doing what he loved: presenting shows on London Greek Radio & managing the LGR events which he launched in 2012.
We hope that his family and friends are finding comfort in the legacy that he has left behind.
In 1983, Akis felt there was a need for a Greek radio station to give a voice to our community. No one could have imagined the success of London Greek Radio (LGR) as a pirate/unlicensed station. Thanks to his devotion, determination and continuous battles to keep the station on air, LGR became the world’s first Greek Radio Station to obtain an FM licence in 1989. This was achieved after Akis sold KISS FM, as he believed that providing the community with a platform was integral.
Akis was one of the iconic presenters during the 1980’s and quickly found fame within the Greek and Cypriot communities. He continued his work when LGR was licensed in 1989, serving as a Director, Managing Director, Station Manager, Shareholder, but most notably, hosting the long-running mid-morning show, “Ligo Prin To Mesimeri” on weekdays. Akis championed the modernisation of the station to bring it into the 21st century. He was a mentor to the upcoming younger generation of presenters and helped them to establish themselves as household names within the Greek and Cypriot Communities.
Akis, also known as ‘George Power’, found fame on the British soul scene in the 1970s and 80s as a resident DJ at Crackers Nightclub on Wardour Street and The Electric Ballroom on Camden High Street. George was an essential and influential DJ on the London Club Scene. Making a name for himself at the legendary Crackers on Friday afternoons and Sunday nights, George had a massive following from the regular “soul-boys” to the trendy celebrities – even Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) was spotted in the club. His Roller Disco’s at the Electric Ballroom on Wednesday nights with Paul “Trouble” Anderson and his Double Disco on Friday nights with Gilles Peterson were a huge success in the mid-eighties. It cannot be understated how important George was to London’s clubs in the 70s and 80s. In 1993, he founded the “Nice ‘N’ Ripe” record label, which is renowned as one of the leaders in the birth and growth of the scene called “UK Garage”.
Today we’ve shared with you just a small section of Akis’ career and life. He was an amazing man and an inspirational leader. Words cannot begin to describe his impact on radio, on music and on his friends and family. RIP to our beloved GP.
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It is with deep regret that we share the news of the death of a former much-loved LGR presenter.
Chrys Chrysanthou sadly passed away on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 at the age of 68.
As a former radio presenter and producer for London Greek Radio for more than 20 years, he was a much-loved and professional broadcaster.
As a presenter during LGR’s pirate years from 1985, Chrys continued on the airwaves well into LGR’s legitimacy as a station, up until 2006 when he decided to undertake other ventures.
He was renowned for shows which were always well-prepared and researched, valuing the importance of quality Greek music, including Laiko-Entehno and alternative styles particularly being played during his shows.
As a well-known member of the community, Chrys was a respected journalist and photographer for the Vema, Parikiaki and Nea newspapers, as well as being an LGR broadcaster.
Many couples requested Chrys to be their official wedding photographer and he also took professional photos at Christenings and other functions. He also photographed and interviewed worldwide superstars including, Muhammad Ali, Julie Andrews, Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, Omar Sharif, Vincent Price, Oliver Reed and Lee Marvin.
In the world of music, Chrys also interviewed and photographed The Bee Gees, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard, Marc Bolan, The Who, Ringo Starr, Art Garfunkel, David Essex, Mikis Theodorakis, Cat Stevens, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, Demis Roussos, Diana Ross, David Bowie, George Michael, Nana Mouskouri and Neil Diamond.
He even took photos of members of the Royal family such as the prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne.
Chrys was born in Famagusta and his parents were from the village of Komi Kebir.
After attending Gymnasium Ammochostos, he came to London where he studied at the London School of Journalism and Barnet and Southgate College, where he specialised in Graphic Design.
Thereafter, Chrys moved to Los Angeles, France and Greece before moving to Limassol in Cyprus to set up The Chrys Chrysanthou Photo Studio.
He was devoted to helping his family and friends and was loved by everyone in the community.
John Kyriakides, Chairman of London Greek Radio said, “I share the sorrow we all feel at the news of our dear friend’s passing. Chrys was a true gentleman and maintained the highest of standards at LGR. He will be missed by many and I will always have the fondest memories of him.”
Chrys’ legacy lives on through his two sons, Alex and Philip, and his sister Nitsa.
Funeral details were confirmed for Thursday 5th September 2019 at Agia Fyla Church in Limassol, Cyprus.
Everyone at London Greek Radio expresses their deep sorrow at Chrys’ sad passing and express their sincere condolences to family and friends.
Chrys Chrysanthou
Radio Presenter & Producer
London Greek Radio
2 March 1985 to 21 June 2006
Article written by London Greek Radio
Forty-five years ago to this day the Turkish military launched its second offensive against the Republic of Cyprus, in full violation of international law, including the UN Charter, despite the ceasefire that had been agreed.
The Turkish army invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and launched the second phase of the invasion on August 14 of the same year, occupying the best part of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou.
On Sunday 11th August the British-Cypriot community held a commemorative event in conjunction with the Famagusta Association of Great Britain, at St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Wightman Road. Its president Dr. Vasilis Mavrou and president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK Christos Karaolis were in attendance at the event.
The Cyprus High Commissioner Euripides Evriviades who is retiring from his post this month, also present, to address the Church faithful and many visitors on this occasion. He gave a passionate speech about his six years serving the London office. The Cypriot diplomat explained how he tirelessly worked to campaign and enlighten others, on the Cyprus cause.
He underlined the values believed are central to the dispute, with a fairer future, that’s deserved for his Cypriot compatriots.
“All Cypriots Greek-Cypriots, Turkish-Cypriots, Maronites, Latin, Armenian deserve much better… What we want is nothing more and nothing less than other what is given to peace-loving people democracy, human rights and the rule of law, we are not children of a lesser God, we all burn under the same sun, we want democracy, human rights and the rule of law for everyone.” Mr Evriviades said.
To his fellow-Cypriots he urged always carrying the Cyprus flag high, Euripides said, “if we don’t hold our [Cypriot] flag high, then nobody else will respect it.”
He concluded his speech, thanking the Cypriot community of the UK for their continuous support, “[translated in Greek]… I believe you have made me a better human being, I have learnt so much from you [the British-Cypriots].” He also thanked the Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades for his appointment to the UK post.
The Turkish side continues to disregard calls by the international community relating to Cyprus and continues to hold the city of Famagusta hostage of its illegal military occupation. Dubbed a “ghost town”, Famagusta’s fenced off section – called Varosi – remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements.
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.
All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.
Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.
The latest effort to reach a Cyprus settlement will get underway next month: with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to meet with the U.N. secretary-general to map out the next steps toward a hoped-for resumption of formal reunification talks.
United Nations spokesman Aleem Siddique said Anastasiades and Akinci also decided to carry on discussions with U.N. envoy Jane Holl Lute to prepare the framework for “structured and results-oriented” negotiations leading to a peace deal “with a sense of urgency.”
Siddique said the two politicians discussed “in-depth the basic principles” of a potential peace accord.
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Article written by London Greek Radio
On July 20, 1974 at 5:20am, Turkish troops landed on the Republic of Cyprus’ coast five miles off Kyrenia. Since that day, nothing on the island has ever been the same.
Every year since, on the anniversary of the invasion, sirens have blared out over the Republic, recalling the moment Turkish troops invaded.
In 1974, approximately 40,000 Turkish troops under the command of Lieutenant Nurettin Ersin implemented their invasion plan, code-named ‘Attila’, illegally invading the island in violation of the UN Security Council Charter.
Turkey still illegally occupies 37 per cent of Cyprus’ territory.
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.
All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.
Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.
The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK on Tuesday rallied Parliament, with the annual All-Party Parliamentary titled ‘Cyprus – Prospects for a Solution’. The Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, briefed the APPG and members of the UK Cypriot community with the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.
The Federation President, Mr Christos Karaolis, thanked the 19 Parliamentarians, including the Minister and Shadow Minister, who were present and welcomed guests to the event and spoke of the UK Cypriot community’s hope and determination to see a reunited Cyprus free from the outdated system of guarantees and without the presence of foreign troops, as well as the return of refugees to their hometowns and properties. He added, “what we’re asking for is both fair and simple; a fully functioning state that is in line with the rule of law and is free from foreign interference. Put simply a “normal state” as the UN Secretary-General Mr Antonio Gutteres said in 2017.”
Mr Karaolis reassured those present, that despite it being 45 years since the illegal invasion, the Cypriot community is ‘louder than it has ever been before’ with 376 MPs receiving emails ‘calling for Turkey to take it’s #HandsOffCyprus”.
45 years on from the most tragic page in the Republic of Cyprus’ history, at 5:30am the war sirens rang around the island once more.
President, Nicos Anastasiades, expressed his readiness on Thursday to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, welcoming the latter’s proposal for an informal conference.
The UN Secretary-General told the leaders at the end of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana two years ago that he wanted both of them to get back to him when they were ready with a plan on when, how, and where they want to meet and do a deal, and not before.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Middlesex University and the University of Westminster are delighted to announce the launch of the GRƐNGLISH PROJECT.
Led by Dr Anna Charalambidou and Dr Petros Karatsareas, the project seeks to crowd source Grenglish words – English words that the UK’s Greek Cypriots borrowed from English and turned into Cypriot Greek. For example, pason for ‘bus’, ketlon for ‘kettle’ or experiotita for ‘experience’.
Anna and Petros believe that Grenglish words are unique linguistic creations that are emblematic of the Greek Cypriot community’s history, resourcefulness and creativity. However, they are facing the threat of disappearance as younger generations of British-born Greek Cypriots tend to avoid them.
The GRƐNGLISH PROJECT brings together older and younger generations within the UK’s Greek Cypriot diaspora in a community campaign of language documentation. We invite everyone to visit our website www.grenglish.org and submit any type of linguistic material relating to Grenglish: words and their meaning, thoughts about their origin, visual material such as photographs, stories that involve the use of English.
Anna and Petros will curate all entries and produce an online Grenglish dictionary as well as a print dictionary, a permanent record for generations to come.
For further information please email Anna Charalambidou at A.Charalambidou@mdx.ac.uk or Petros Karatsareas at P.Karatsareas@westminster.ac.uk
Article written by London Greek Radio
Former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias died on Friday 21st June at Nicosia General Hospital, a month after he was hospitalised for acute breathing problems. He was 72.
Earlier on Friday his doctor, Michalis Minas told the Cyprus News Agency that the former president died at 5:36 pm local time.
Christofias served a single five-year term as Cyprus’ sixth President from 2008 until 2013.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades confirmed his predecessor’s death expressing “deep sorrow.” Anastasiades said he and Christofias may have been on divergent political paths, but he did what he thought was best for his country.
Condolences to Christofias’ family poured in from Greek Cypriot political leaders as well as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots Mustafa Akinci, who tweeted, (translated), “With great sadness, I’ve been made aware of the death of Demetris Christofias, a former Greek Cypriot leader and former General Secretary of AKEL. I express my sincere condolences to his wife and his three children, to the AKEL family and to the Greek Cypriot community in general.”
One of Cyprus’ best-known politicians, Christofias was born in Dikomo in the Kyrenia District, on 29th August 1946, and educated in Cyprus and Moscow.
First elected a member of parliament for Kyrenia in 1991, he was elected president of the House of Representatives in 2001. It was during his second term as speaker that he was elected president of the Republic in 2008.
Christofias was the only Cypriot president not to seek re-election, citing his failure to achieve his “life’s vision” of reunifying the country that had been split since Turkey invaded in 1974.
Christofias’ “man-of-the-people” persona endeared him to many.
He underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in 1999, in which the donor was his sister. He also had open-heart surgery earlier in the same year.
John Kyriakides, Chairman of LGR, said, “I am really saddened to learn of the death of Demetris. He was a good friend of LGR and I will keep fond memories of the former Cyprus President.”
An Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting was held on Saturday chaired by President Anastasiades confirming that the funeral of the former President will take place on Tuesday 25th June at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom, in Strovolos, at 1700 local time.
After the meeting, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that the Cabinet have declared national mourning until the day of the funeral, which will also be a public holiday.
Flags will fly at half-mast on all government buildings and schools.
Mr Christofias is survived by his wife, Elsie, two daughters, a son and grandchildren.
LGR express their sincere condolences to family and friends.
Article written by London Greek Radio
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has elected the new Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.
The Holy and Holy Synod unanimously elected Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles as the new Archbishop of Thyateira.
Metropolitan Nikitas (Lulias) of Dardanelles, Exarch of All Hellespont, his birth name Nikitas Loulias was born in Tampa, Florida, United States June 22nd 1955.
He studied at the University of Florida, from which he received honours degrees in Religion (1976). He then attended the Theological School of the Holy Cross of Boston, where he graduated in 1980 and then completed postgraduate studies at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1982).
He was ordained a Deacon in 1985 by Archbishop Jacob of America and in the same year he became a Presbyter. He served in Saints Constantine and Helen (Merriville, IN) Church, and, since 1987, in the Holy Diocese of Chicago as Secretary.
In 1988 he received the Archimandrite’s officium and became a Protosyncellus at the same Bishopric.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, he completed his studies in History and Russian language. He taught selected courses on Orthodoxy at the Loyola University of Chicago.
On December 2, 1996, he was unanimously elected as Metropolitan of Hong Kong and ordained on the 14th of the same month at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.
His enthronement took place at St. Luca Cathedral in Hong Kong on January 12, 1997 and became the first regular priest of the newly-established Hong Kong Metropolis, and then he was appointed at the Dardanelles Metropolis in 2007.
It is finally worth mentioning that Metropolitan Nikitas is the Director of the Berkeley USA Patriarchal Orthodox Institute “Patriarch Athenagoras” in Berkeley, USA.
Metropolitan Nikitas succeeds His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios who has been Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain since 16th April 1988.
Born in the present-day Turkish-occupied village of Marathovounos in the district of Famagusta, Cyprus, on 28th October 1928, Archbishop Gregorios was appointed to the Church of All Saints in Camden, London in April 1959. He was ordained presbyter by the late Archbishop of Thyateira, Athenagoras Kavvadas, in the same month.
In 1964 he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Thyateira. On 12th December 1970 he was consecrated Bishop of Tropaeou by the blessed former Archbishop of Thyateira Athenagoras Kokkinakis at the Cathedral of St Sophia. From the first day of his ordination he undertook to organise and administer St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Barnabas the Apostle in Wood Green, North London.
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