His Eminence Archbishop Mr. Nikitas of Thyateira & Great Britain
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His Eminence Archbishop Mr. Nikitas of Thyateira & Great Britain
His Eminence Archbishop Mr. Nikitas of Thyateira & Great Britain
His Eminence Archbishop Mr. Nikitas of Thyateira & Great Britain
I am coming at times when the world is being shaken by many trials and inequalities, he said, taking over as Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain in London, in June 2019. Former Metropolitan of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, and then of the Dardanelles and an Hierarch of the Ecumenical Throne, was elected by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as head of the British Church and successor to Archbishop Gregory, who served for 31 years. Archbishop Nikitas serves the Mother Church in Constantinople as the Coordinator of the Patriarchal Task Force on Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery and as Chairman of the Committee on Youth for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A gifted preacher and teacher, Archbishop Nikitas, is globally known and respected as a strong leader and visionary for the Orthodox Church.
Even though everything is done by God’s will, when you assumed the leadership of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, what was your first thought?
First, let me thank you for this opportunity. I greatly appreciate it. My first thoughts were those of confusion and doubt. I was overwhelmed and shocked that the Church had called me to this important ministry. I also had to face the reality that I would be leaving my home, my family, my position, and my life in the United States to move to London and the UK. In a few moments, everything changed for me. I was honoured that the Patriarch had selected me to come to London, as there are many others who could have come.
Your Eminence what are your priorities for the London community?
My priorities are to build upon the work of the past, the efforts of my predecessors. But, as we are a changing and developing community, we also need to change and develop.
I hope to build bridges to the younger community members – to reach out to them and let them understand the important role they have. After all, we entrust the future to their hands. We have to help educate them and teach them about Jesus Christ, the faith, our religious tradition, just as we need to offer them the tools and resources to better grasp and hold onto their cultural identity.
We are starting programs in adult religious education, youth fora, visits from Athonite fathers, and much more. In the same way, I have hosted several receptions that allowed the younger people to meet with Ministers, activists, and educators from Greece, Cyprus and the UK. After all, along with her responsibility of preaching the Truth, the Church (in the diaspora) keeps the flame of our heritage, our language, and identity alive. Of course, there is the reality that I bring a new style and vision. I believe that my years in the missionary field in Asia and my work in the United States can be tools for my ministry in London. Our people in London are very kind. I believe that they just wanted to be guided and supported.
You have been fighting for human rights and against human trafficking for years now. Will you continue this mission?
I was appointed by the Ecumenical Patriarch to serve as Chairman of the Patriarchal Task Force on Modern Slavery because His All Holiness has a serious commitment to fighting against this abomination.
As long as His All Holiness wants, I will continue in my position and struggle to erase this blight from the face of the earth.
We need to educate our people, especially the younger people who are vulnerable, as human trafficking and modern slavery are realities that we may face in ourn own community. People need to understand that modern slavery is about much more than the sex trade – it is about forced labor, adoptions, the selling of human organs and body parts, and much more. Education is one way to fight it. Our Task Force is organizing the fourth international Forum on the island of Kalymnos, which is scheduled for this coming May. We are looking to finding means to help victims/survivors heal, if that is possible. I have a deep personal commitment to fighting against modern slavery and hope that our community will embrace and share in this ministry.
How do you think you can bring youth closer to Church?
Of course, I am hopeful. But, we have to do so in the right ways. The Church must be welcoming and embracing and make sure young people feel included. I have asked that when parishes have elections for their trustees that two younger people and two women be included. We need to prepare the next generation for leadership roles. As I previously stated, we are hosting a forum and we are asking the youth “What Can the Church Do for You?” We need to understand and hear what their needs are and what they expect from the Church. I believe this open dialogue will help.
In 2021 Greece celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Revolution. Will you be taking part in the events in this historic celebration?
Like all true Hellenes, I am proud of my heritage and our history. I have already met with at least one group that will organize events. As an Archdiocese, we will also do our best to promote, organize, and celebrate this historic event. We need to remember that it was an aged clergyman who held up the flag of liberty and that the Church has always been the voice of liberty. We have a duty to teach our children about the struggle of their ancestors, and help them understand the great sacrifice of many women and men that Greece might be free.
