Patriarchal Gala Held in London in Honour of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

On Tuesday, 15th September 2026, some 1,000 clergy, faithful and distinguished guests from across the United Kingdom gathered at the London Hilton on Park Lane for a Patriarchal Gala in honour of  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, during his visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. Representing parishes and communities from throughout the Archdiocese, the remarkable attendance made this year’s Gala a particularly significant gathering in the life of the Church.

The occasion coincided with the Feast of the Holy Great Martyr Nikitas and the nameday of Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain , lending particular significance to an evening of fellowship and celebration in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

The Ecumenical Patriarch and his entourage entered the ballroom in procession, accompanied by the sound of traditional bagpipes. The guests were welcomed by Archon Louis Loizou, who played a leading role in the organisation of the Gala.

During the evening, Archbishop Nikitas addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch and those gathered, reflecting upon the growth and renewed vitality of Orthodox Christianity in the British Isles in…