Dormition of the Theotokos celebrated in Birmingham – New Reader ordained

A festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the celebrating Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos and Saint Andrew the Apostle in Birmingham, presided over by Bishop Maximos of Melitene.

Concelebrating were Archimandrite Vissarion Kokliotis; Archimandrite Christodoulos Kokliotis, Dean of the Cathedral; Hieromonk Philotheos Grigoriatis; Protopresbyter Emilianos Epameinondas; and the priests Georgios Pappas, Adam Georgiou and David Johnson.

From early in the morning, crowds of faithful filled the Cathedral to participate in the celebration of the great Feast of the Dormition.

Bishop Maximos delivered the sermon, drawing inspiration from the Apolytikion of the feast and reflecting on the reversal that takes place before the sacred bier of the Theotokos.

The Bishop also spoke about the significance of the presence of the Theotokos in Great Britain, where Greek Orthodox communities have been established for generations.

Recalling the experiences of the first Greek immigrants, he said: “Our fathers and mothers left their homelands and their homes, bringing only a few possessions with them—and always an icon of the Panagia.”

Bishop Maximos…