The Greek Orthodox Community of Middlesbrough

26/05/2026

NOTICE OF FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS ON 14 JUNE 2026

Dear Community,

Following a formal Committee decision, we are pleased to announce that the elections for the Greek Orthodox Community Committee will be held on :
-- Sunday, June 14, 2026
-- after the regular church service, in the hall of St Columba's church in Middlesbrough,
-- from 3-4pm.

To ensure a fair and transparent process, please take note of the following critical requirements and milestones:

Electoral Committee: According to the Article 7(2) of the Constitution there will be an Electoral Committee to oversee the election process, consisting of: Mr Alexandros Lezos, Mrs Eirini Vasilaki and Mr Cyril Bistrov. These members are not prospective nominees for election.

Nominations: Formal nominations for the Committee are considered open with the publication of this announcement, which was read out in church on Sunday 24 May 2026.

Nomination Deadline: All nomination must be submitted to the Electoral Committee, in writing by replying to the church email no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Voter & Candidate Eligibility: To participate in the election - either as a voter or as a candidate for the Committee - you must be a fully registered member of the Community no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026. As a reminder, people who have registered within the past 12 months (after June 2025) are eligible voters and candidates. If you are unsure of your current status, please contact Mr Alexandros Lezos by reply to the church email address below to verify your registration.

According to our Community's Constitution, ''only those who worship in the Middlesbrough Church of the Community may vote in elections for the Committee or be members thereof". Upon the recommendation by Bishop Raphael, Fr Nikita will have the authority to veto candidates who do not meet the basic requirements for membership from participating in the election process.
We encourage all eligible members to participate in shaping the future of our Community.

As a reminder, here are the membership criteria that must be fulfilled by anyone wishing to take part in the elections of the Committee of the Community:
- To have reached their eighteenth (18) birthday
- To be an Orthodox Christian (by Baptism or Chrismation) for at least six months prior to the elections
- To accept the spiritual jurisdiction and authority of the clergy of the community. The Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
- To have attended services at the Middlesbrough Church of the Annunciation previous to their exercising such a vote and to intend to worship – at least monthly – in this Church and Community
- To have paid, prior to taking part in the elections, their annual subscription of £20 (£10 for students and pensioners).

Nikita Banev, Priest-in-Charge, with the Committee of the Community.

Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of the Mother of God in Middlesbrough

08/04/2026

You are warmly invited to join us in decorating the Epitaphios on Good Friday, 10 April, at 11:30am at our church and take part in this beautiful and meaningful tradition. We look forward to seeing you there.

The photo is from the decorated Epitaphios of 2024.

05/04/2026

Services for Holy Week and Pascha 2026

https://www.middlesbrough-annunciation.co.uk/news/3098024_services-for-holy-week-and-pascha-2026

02/04/2026

Dear all!

From Lazarus Saturday onwards, you will find in our church Easter decorated candles (Paschalines lampades), which are part of our Easter fundraising campaign!

Your donation makes a difference!
Our church is supported from the donations and efforts of volunteers like you and me.
We do not receive any funding from government grants, businesses, or outside organisations.
Every donation, no matter how small, takes us a long way to provide services and comfort.
Thank you for supporting our cause to keep the church doors open!

07/03/2026

COTY Lenten Gathering Birmingham

Greek Orthodox Church Of The Holy Trinity & St Luke, Birmingham, B23 7SJ

Saturday 7th March 2026

Schedule
12:00 Commencement
Introductory Prayer, Welcome, Opening Remarks
12:20 Ice Breaker Activity
12:40 Talk by His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene:
‘The Lenten Period as a way to overcome fear and loneliness in an age of social
media’
13:10 Q&A Discussion
13:30 Lenten Lunch
14:10 Workshops
Iconography - Liturgics - Prosphoro
15:30 Talk by Fr Nikitas Banev:
‘The Journey of Lent: in the History of the Church and Today’
16:00 Q&A Discussion
16:20 Concluding Thoughts
16:30 Tea Break
17:00 Vespers
* For those travelling by bus from London: 0830 departure from the Greek Orthodox
Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Wood Green and 18:00 departure from the
Church of the Holy Trinity and St Luke, Birmingham, returning to London.

06/02/2026

Memorial Saturday - Ψυχοσάββατο

- Friday 13 February, 7-8pm
- Vespers and Commemoration of the Departed

Please bring the names of the people you wish us to pray for with your kollyva.

15/01/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are delighted to share the news that Bishop Raphael will be visiting our church on Sunday, 25th January 2026.

This will be a special occasion for us, celebrating 50 years of our existence as a Community.

We warmly invite all to join us in welcoming our Bishop and celebrating our Feast all together.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a shared meal will be offered, providing an opportunity for fellowship, conversation, and further strengthening our bonds as a community.

To help cover the cost of the meal and to support the ongoing sustainability of our church, a suggested donation of £10 is kindly proposed.

Please note that this contribution is entirely voluntary and everyone is most welcome regardless of their ability to give.

Any support offered will be deeply appreciated and will greatly assist our Parish.

We hope you can join us for this memorable day.

Father Nikita and the Committee

02/01/2026

Programme of upcoming Services:

4 JAN, SUN
11:30 - Matins - Preparation of the Offerings of Bread and W**e
12:30 - Divine Liturgy

6 JAN, TUE
09:30 - Matins of Theophany
10:30 - Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
12:00 - Great Blessing of the Waters

7 JAN, WED
10:00 - Feast of the St John the Baptist. Hours & Divine Liturgy

15/12/2025

Take note of the additional Services in our schedule for the Festive period:

- Christmas Eve, Divine Liturgy of St Basil
- Christmas, Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom.

Note the early service on Christmas day, 25 Dec., when we will need to finish and exit the church before 9:45 to allow for the Anglican service from 10am.

10/11/2025

Feast of St John Chrysostom & Catechism

- On 12 November, Wednesday, from 18:30 we will celebrate Great Vespers with the Blessing of Loaves to mark the Feast of St John Chrysostom.
- The service will be followed by our first catechism, from 19:30, aimed especially for those who wish to embrace the Christian Orthodox Faith.

May God help us.

Your priest in Christ,
Nikita