Splendid Celebration of the 318 Fathers and Fortieth Anniversary in Shrewsbury

On the Sunday of the 318 Holy and God-bearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, 24 May 2026, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene officiated at Matins and presided over the Divine Liturgy at the celebrating holy church of the same name in the town of Shrewsbury in central England. About the holy altar, concelebrating with His Grace were the Very Reverend Protopresbyter Fr Stephen Maxfield and the Reverend Presbyter Fr Panteleimon Maxfield, whilst a multitude of the faithful, in order to participate in the Eucharistic synaxis, flooded the interior spaces from early on. It is worth mentioning, incidentally, that the parish in question constitutes the first founded in the wider region forty years ago upon the initiative of Fr Stephen.

During the ministry of the divine word, His Grace exhaustively analysed the meanings of the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, conveying the message of the day to the Christ-named plenitude. Occasioned by his presence in this historical church, he characteristically underlined, addressing the congregation: “About the holy table, the grace of the All-Holy Spirit gathers us together on this present blessed day, honouring the memory of the holy and…