On the weekend of 31 May – 1 June 2025, the Community of the 318 Holy Fathers of Nicaea and St John the Baptist in Shrewsbury had the great honour of hosting, on behalf of the Archdiocese, the official celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD). This historic council, which affirmed the divinity of Christ and established the Nicene Creed, remains a defining moment in the life of the Church.
The celebrations began on Saturday morning with Divine Liturgy at the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers, concelebrated by visiting clergy from across the Archdiocese: Archimandrite Nicholas Price, Protopresbyter Stephen Maxfield, Presbyter David Carnelly, Presbyter Dionysios Higgs, Presbyter Ioan Petkov, Presbyter Panteleimon Maxfield, Deacon John Maxfield.
His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain presided over the festal services, joined by His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene. The formal celebrations continued with Great Vespers on Saturday evening at the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers, concelebrated by an impressive gathering of clergy: His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene, Archimandrite Christodoulos Kokliotis, Protopresbyter Stephen Maxfield, Protopresbyter Christos Stefanou, Protopresbyter Nenad, Protopresbyter Theodoros Polyviou, Presbyter David Carnelly, Presbyter Dionysios Higgs, Presbyter Ioan Petkov, Presbyter George Pappas, Presbyter Panteleimon Maxfield, Presbyter George Athanasopoulos, Archdeacon George Tsourous, Deacon Catalin, Deacon John Maxfield
The celebrations culminated in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at St Julian’s Church, concelebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, His Grace Bishop Maximos, Protopresbyter Stephen Maxfield, Presbyter Dionysios Higgs, Presbyter Panteleimon Maxfield, Archdeacon George Tsourous, Deacon Stephen Edwards
The services drew a large congregation of faithful as well as numerous distinguished guests, including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Alex Wagner, The Right Reverend Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury (Roman Catholic), The Right Reverend Paul Thomas, Bishop of Oswestry (representing The Right Reverend Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield), The Reverend Father Sean Henry, Dean of Shrewsbury Cathedral, Archon Interpreter of the Ecumenical Patriarch Columba Bruce Clark.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive meal was held at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, celebrating the occasion in a spirit of joy and unity and where we were also joined by the Right Reverend Sarah Bullock, Bishop of Shrewsbury (Anglican).
As part of the Archdiocese’s Nicaea 2025 programme, the Shrewsbury parish is also hosting the Eternal Light: Exhibition of Holy Icons at St Julian’s Church from 24 May to 6 June. Curated by renowned iconographer Aidan Hart, the exhibition showcases works by leading British icon painters and offers a visual meditation on the spiritual legacy of the Council. Evening openings and talks by Aidan Hart have drawn significant interest. Full details can be found here: shrewsburyorthodox.com/nicaea25/iconexhibition.
The Nicaea 2025 celebrations will conclude on 21 June with a Theological Symposium featuring the internationally renowned patristic scholar Fr John Behr, who will reflect on the enduring legacy of the Council of Nicaea. To register for the event, visit: shrewsburyorthodox.com/nicaea25/symposium.
The Church of the 318 Holy Fathers is believed to be the only church in Western Europe dedicated to the memory of the bishops who attended the First Ecumenical Council. In recent years, its iconographic programme has been enriched through the addition of seventeen new roundels by Aidan Hart. A newly commissioned icon by Presvytera Tamara Penwell of St Sylvester of Rome and Hosios of Cordova honours the Western bishops believed to have contributed to the council’s definitive theological language—especially the term homoousios (of one essence).
Commemorative items marking this unique occasion are available through orthodox-shop.co.uk/collections/merchandise.
Our parish is deeply grateful for the love, pastoral oversight, and generosity provided by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas and the archdiocese team. Through the intercessions of the 318 Holy Fathers, may the life and unity of the Church continue to be strengthened across these islands.
The Very Reverend Father Stephen Maxfield and the Reverend Father Panteleimon Maxfield extend their profound gratitude to the Nicaea 2025 Organising Committee for their extraordinary dedication, countless hours of preparation, and unwavering commitment that made these historic celebrations possible. Their tireless efforts ensured that this once-in-a-lifetime commemoration was conducted with the dignity and reverence befitting such a momentous anniversary in the life of the Church.
