Archbishop Gregorios

 

His Eminence, Archbishop Gregorios

of

Thyateira and Great Britain  

Image result for archbishop gregorios

His Eminence was born in the present-day Turkish-occupied village of Marathovounos in the district of Famagusta, Cyprus, on 28th October 1928. He was the ninth and last child of the family of the builder Theocharis and his wife Maria Hadjitofi. At the age of three he was orphaned through his father’s death.

After completing his primary education at the village school, the eleven-year-old Gregorios became an apprentice as a shoemaker in his brother-in-law’s shop, where he worked for the next eight years.

 At the age of twenty he decided to attend a secondary school for which he enrolled in 1949 at the Higher Commercial School of the town of Lefkoniko which, at that time, had only five classes. He was accepted in the second-year class.

 
In 1951 he transferred to the famous Pan-Cyprian Gymnasium, Nicosia, having become a rasophor, and he was later ordained deacon on the Sunday of Pentecost, 1953 at the Church of St. Savvas in Nicosia by the late Archbishop Makarios III.

He graduated from the Gymnasium in 1954 and went to Athens to study at the Theological School of the University there. Before receiving his university degree in February 1959, he was appointed to the Church of All Saints in London, arriving there and starting his duties at the Church of All Saints in Camden Town in April 1959. He was ordained presbyter by the late Archbishop of Thyateira, Athenagoras Kawadas, on the 26th of 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 Sta Sophia. From the first day of his ordination he undertook to organize and administer the St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Barnabas the Apostle in Wood Green, North London.

On 16th April 1988 he was unanimously elected by the Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain and his enthronement took place at the Cathedral of Sta. Sophia in West London.

Chicken Cilantro Meatballs With Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients
  • -Meatballs-
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro (coriander)
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon marjoram
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • salt and pepper
  • flour
  • -Yogurt Sauce-
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro (coriander)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine: chicken, onion, cilantro, cumin, marjoram, egg, olive oil, bread crumbs, salt and pepper – mix well.
  2. Place in fridge for 30 minutes to allow mixture to firm up and breadcrumbs to absorb liquid.
  3. During this time, make yogurt sauce
  4. In bowl, combine: greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, salt and pepper – mix well.
  5. Place in fridge until needed.
  6. Now, let’s make the meatballs.
  7. Heat some oil in a frying pan.
  8. Rub your hands in some flour to avoid sticking.
  9. Take a spoon full of the chicken mixture, roll it in flour, shake off excess and form into a ball.
  10. Place in pan.
  11. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side, should be a nice golden brown.
  12. When done, remove and place on paper towel.
  13. Cook meatballs in batches until all mixture is used
  14. Place and serve with yogurt sauce!

Chicken With Tomatoes and Orzo

Ingredients
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
  • ½ cup of feta, more if desired
  • ½ cup kalamata olives, more if desired.
  • olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Method

  1. Heat some oil in a large pan.
  2. Add diced onion, and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add: orzo, diced tomatoes can, chicken stock, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, and brandy if using, mix well.
  4. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 7-10 minutes.
  5. Add chicken to pan, cover and continue simmering for another 20-25 minutes, until chicken is cooked and orzo is finished.
  6. With 5 minutes left, add olives.
  7. Once done, remove from heat.
  8. Plate chicken, and then a spoonful of tomato orzo mixture over.
  9. Top with feta and serve!

The Orthodox Community in Lampeter extends an Invitation

The Orthodox Community in Lampeter extends an Invitation

Eglwys Uniongred Lambed
Lampeter Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Community in Lampeter extends an invitation for all to come and view the

Church of the Three Hierarchs and St Cybi

With an opportunity to join us for some light refreshments, to meet with some of the congregation and answer any questions you may have.
24th October 2015, 11 – 4pm

4pm Gosber / Vespers

Church of the Three Hierarchs & St Cybi
Soar Chapel Hall, Cwmins Car Park, Victoria Terrace, Lampeter, SA48 7DF

Dewi Sant​ / ​ St. David

Dewi Sant / St David
St Nons
St Davids Cathedral
St Davids Cathedral Icons

Surprisingly little is known of Dewi Sant / St David the patron saint of Wales. Much of the information derives from a life written 500 years later in the 11th century by Rhygyfarch one of whose aims was to prove the independence of the Welsh church from the see of Canterbury.

It is likely that he was born near the present city of St David’s in Pembrokeshire. The ruins of an ancient chapel dedicated to his mother, St Non, and his reputed birthplace can be seen in a field near a holy well and the retreat centre of St Non with its more modern chapel. He may have been educated by St Paulinus at Hen Fynyw near Aberaeron.

Rhygyfarch claims that David was consecrated bishop by the Patriarch at Jerusalem together with Padarn and Teilo though there is no evidence of this.

He became known as a teacher and preacher and founded a monastery at St David’s on the site of the present cathedral.

His monastic rule was very strict. The monks had to plough the fields without the aid of animals and were allowed only bread, salt, herbs and vegetables. David became known as Dewi Ddyfrwr (David the water­drinker) and would pray while standing up to his neck in cold water.

David attended the Synod of Brefi called about 560 where his preaching against Pelagianism impressed his fellow clerics and he may have presided at the Synod of Victory at Caerleon about 569.

David died on March 1st, 589, and among his last words to his fellow monks were “Be joyful, keep the faith and do the little things that you have seen me do.”

Later his shrine in the new Norman cathedral became a place of pilgrimage and the Pope decreed that two pilgrimages to St David’s equalled one to Rome, and three pilgrimages were the equivalent of one to Jerusalem. The shrine was destroyed at the Reformation but bones thought to be those of St David and his friend St Justinian were discovered later and placed behind the High Altar of the cathedral. The reliquary which contained them was presented in the 1920s by Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church. Recent carbon dating has cast doubt on whether the fragments are really those of the saints but nevertheless the original shrine, in the north of the sanctuary, has been restored in recent years.

Troparion (tone 8)

Orthodoxy’s guide, Teacher of piety and reverence, Pastor of Menevia, greatest protector of all
Wales. Wonderworker David, by your teaching you have enlightened all, O Herald of grace.
Intercede with Christ God, that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion (tone 6)

The living waters of godly discipline encompassed you and the saving waters of faith flowed
through your teaching, O Hierarch and waterman David. Symbolising the baptism of Wales in
your life, you are worthy of all praise. Wherefore we keep festival in your honour, glorifying
your eternal memory.

A nice handy book for those visiting Wales……

 

yew trees

Andrew Morton looks at the botanical characteristics of yew trees, and how to measure and age them; at yew trees in pre-Christian and Christian literature, myths and legends; and at the connections between yews and the sites of ancient Christian settlements. Includes detailed case studies of ancient yew trees at Defynnog, Gwytherin, Llangernyw, Llanerfyl and Pennant Melangell.

Mae Andrew Morton yn y gyfrol hon yn edrych ar nodweddion botanegol coed yw, a sut i’w mesur a’u dyddio; ar goeden yw mewn llenyddiaeth Gristnogol a chyn-Gristnogol, mewn chwedlau, ac ar y berthynas rhwng coed yw a safleoedd Cristnogol hynafol. Ceir manylion am goed yw hynafol yn Defynnog, Gwytherin, Llangernyw, Llanerfyl a Phennant Melangell.

ISBN: 9781845271732 (1845271734)

Publication Date March 2014

Publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, Llanrwst