15 March 2025

Your Eminence, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, Reverend Fathers and Deacons and dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

I want to thank you all sincerely from the depths of my heart for your prayers, guidance, love and continued support. I truly consider myself unworthy of all the blessings God has bestowed upon me through you all. I also consider myself unworthy to stand here today about to receive ordination to the holy diaconate. But with faith in God’s mercy I approach in all humility, with fear of God and love to receive this sacred order.

I would like to thank especially yourself Your Eminence for the Fatherly love, care and guidance you have given me over the years. When I first spoke with you shortly after your enthronement as Archbishop a few years ago, I was touched by how warmly you embraced me with your pastoral love and concern. You unknowingly healed spiritual wounds that had afflicted me greatly for some time. You gave me renewed hope for the future and assurance of your help and support. I have personally seen the Church in this country flourish and grow exponentially under your leadership. I very much admire your passion for bringing the youth into the Church and delivering the Gospel in its pure Orthodox context to all the people of these Isles. After all our Lord Himself commanded us to preach the Gospel to all the world and make disciples of all nations. For everything you have done for me and continue to do for myself and all your flock I wholeheartedly thank you. I can only say that I will do my utmost to repay this through my obedience and service. Your Eminence, Our High priest and Archshepherd I ask for your prayers and blessing as I embark upon this new stage in life.

I would also like to thank the one person who has been with me through everything since my early years, without whom I would not be standing here today. My beloved spiritual Father, teacher and close friend, Father Kristian. During very dark and difficult times in my life you were the only one who stood by me and was always there to support and guide me. You continually went above and beyond the call of duty to help me. I thank you with all my heart for supporting me in every way and guiding me towards this ministry and having faith and confidence in me to fulfil this sacred service. I ask for your forgiveness for anytime I may have wronged you. I ask for your blessing and your prayers. I promise to serve you always to the best of my ability.

I must also give special mention to three other clergyman who unfortunately couldn’t make this occasion. Our own Father Chrysostomos Michaelides as well as Father Constantinos Garibaldinos and Father Nikolas Kokkinos, who was for many years a deacon himself at this parish. All three of these priests were instrumental in my early formation within the life of the Church. I learnt a great deal from them about ordained ministry and service to God’s people. For this I am most grateful.

Of course, a special thankyou to Father Vissarion who came here today to be with me on this very important day.

I also extend my gratitude to my family for the great love, support and understanding they have shown me in following my chosen path. I especially thank my parents and my sister and ask their forgiveness for any wrongdoing. Also id like to mention my grandparents on both sides all of whom have given me support over the years. I would especially like to mention my cousins Anthony and Maria who came from Greece especially to be with me today.

Finally, to everybody who is here today and to those who were unable to attend I would like to thank them also for all the help and encouragement that they have given which has enabled me to reach this stage. I promise that with Gods help I will do my best to fulfill the duties of a deacon. The job of the deacon is, as the Greek word diakonos conveys, that of a servant or minister. In the life of the early Church the deacons ministered to the needs of the community, the sick, the suffering and the imprisoned and brought them the fruits of the Holy Mysteries. When the deacon chants the litanies during the divine services he brings their needs before God. Therefore, look at my humble self as your servant, someone who is here to minister to you.

I love you all in Christ. The only thing I ask of you is to pray for me. All of you shall be in my prayers daily. May God strengthen me to undertake this service through the prayers of the Mother of God and all the Saints. Amen.