On Sunday 8th March 2015, the Greek Ambassador in the United Kingdom Mr Konstantinos Bikas, together with the Cyprus High Commissioner Mr Euripides Evriviades, visited Leeds. This is the first ever common visit of the dignitaries of the two countries in Leeds. During their visit the two ambassadors attended the Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Three Hierarchs.
Just after the dismissal blessing, the Chairman of the Greek Orthodox Community of Leeds Dr Christos Hadjiharitou welcomed the two ambassadors and expressed the joyful feelings that all Greeks and Cypriots of the area shared for their visit. The two dignitaries were also greeted by the Honorary Consul of Greece in Leeds Mr Tony Naslas and by the Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Leeds Mr Charles Kyriakou.
Mr Bikas thanked the speakers for their kind greetings and their invitation to visit Leeds and expressed his satisfaction for such a warm welcome. In addition, Mr Bikas encouraged the Greek and Cypriot immigrants who live in the UK to be actively involved in their civic duties and (irrespective of political allegiances) to vote in all elections (local and national).
Mr Bikas also gave a brief and easy to follow explanation of the roots of the financial crisis in Greece and other countries of the European south.
Mr Evriviades agreed with Mr Bikas and shared his joy for visiting Leeds for the second time in the first 15 months of his term of office in the UK. He also urged all members of the community to get involved in the community life and the greater Leeds community stressing the importance of being an active ‘citizen’ (as our ancestors taught us) and not ‘private individuals’ (the ancient Greek word for these being ‘idiotes’ from which stems the English word ‘idiot’!).
Mr Evriviades also noted that the Greek church plays a unifying role in the Greek communities abroad, getting together Greeks from Greece and Cyprus (who share common roots).
Due to the visit by the two ambassadors, many Greeks and Cypriots from various areas of North England gathered in the Greek Orthodox Community of Leeds. The two ambassadors greeted all visitors one by one and had the chance to have quick chats with those who wished it.
After the end of the Divine Liturgy, the ladies’ auxiliary society of the community offered a festal lunch for more than 150 people at the Community hall with traditional Greek and Cypriot treats, in honour of the two ambassadors.
The children of the Community’s Greek School welcomed the two ambassadors in their own unique way (singing the song ‘I like my school’). In addition, with the projection of a short video they gave them the chance to see and get familiar with their everyday life in the School of the Greek Orthodox Community of Leeds.
Upon their departure the two ambassadors wished to all every success in their endeavours and assured them that they will always be by the side of all Greek and Cypriots that live in UK.
Author: Greek Orthodox Community of Leeds
Photos: Anestis Saraliotis