Nicaea 2025 Festival commences with honouring two of its greatest saints.
In a spirit of reverence, our parish community gathered this past weekend to honour Saints Sylvester of Rome and Hosius of Cordoba. The saints were honoured with the dedication of a newly commissioned icon painted by Tamara Penwell featuring both venerable hierarchs and hymnography for the saints written by master hymnographer Father David Somalis. The celebration, coinciding with the Sunday of the Paralytic, marked the commencement of Shrewsbury Orthodox Church’s Nicaea 2025 Festival, observing 1700 years since the First Ecumenical Council.
On Saturday evening, the faithful assembled at the Church of the 318 Holy Fathers for the arrival of the icon and sacred relic of Saint Sylvester. Following Vespers, the assembled people of God approached with devotion to venerate the holy relic and receive anointing with oil from the unsleeping lamp.
The following morning, Matins and Divine Liturgy were celebrated at St. Julian’s Church on the Feast of the Sunday of the Paralytic. The sacred icon and relic remained available for veneration by the faithful following the service.
Following the Divine Liturgy, in a spirit of fraternal love, the Orthodox faithful processed with the icon and relic to Shrewsbury Cathedral, where Roman Catholic Bishop Mark welcomed the procession at the cathedral door, accompanied by the Dean of the Cathedral, Father Sean Henry. Over 100 faithful gathered at the Cathedral for this notable occasion, where the icon was offered for veneration. Following this, both communities gathered for refreshments that were graciously offered by the Cathedral community.
This dedication serves as the inaugural event in our parish’s series of commemorations honouring the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, when the 318 Holy Fathers, including Saints Sylvester and Hosius, affirmed the apostolic faith and by articulating with clarity the divine nature of Christ.
The timing of our local celebrations coincided with significant developments on the global stage, as Pope Leo XIV recently confirmed that preparations are underway for his meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to mark this historic anniversary. This anticipated gathering in Nicaea signals continued dialogue between East and West at the highest levels of church leadership.
For information about forthcoming Nicaea 2025 events, please visit shrewsburyorthodox.com/nicaea25
