Having been around for a long time, the Greek Orthodox Church in London has been a part of the life of London. The Church is a place where people can celebrate the Orthodox faith and learn about Greek history and culture. The church also plays a part in the life of the community as a whole and the Greek Orthodox community is a very important part of the fabric of London.
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St. Sophia Cathedral
Located in Bayswater, London, Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Greek Orthodox church. It was commissioned by the Greek community in London and consecrated in 1882. This church has become the center of Greek and Cypriot communities in London. It is also home to various events related to Greek culture.
The Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Byzantine Revival design. It is one of the few Byzantine revival churches in London. It is located on Moscow Road in the Bayswater area. It is open to visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12:30pm.
The interior of the church features a huge central dome. The dome is surrounded by four arches, and is supported by pendentives. The dome seems to float upon the four arches. Its diameter is 102 feet.
The “Deacon’s Doors”
Typically, the first row of the deacon’s doors contains icons of deacons and saints. Other icons may include angels or apostles.
Deacons are not necessarily chosen from professional schools of theology. They are chosen from the parish community. They assist the bishop during the liturgical services. They may also work in social welfare or educational projects. They may hold up the orarion in prayer during the Divine Liturgy.
Monasticism has been very important to Christian history. Monks seek the Christian virtues of chastity and poverty. They also seek to attain the ultimate Christian virtue of love through prayer. Monasteries can take many forms. Some may be liturgically oriented, while others may be more open to the world. They may also have a mystical tradition.
Icons and other liturgical objects
Symbols and liturgical objects are part of the Greek Orthodox Church’s liturgy. These works of art are meant to bring the faithful into communion with God. They are also a means of receiving healing grace.
Icons were created during the early Christian centuries in various mediums. They are based on the Incarnation, when the Image of God was revealed in human form. They express Scripture, tradition, and history. The subject of the image is the person of the incarnated Word, usually Christ. The size of the icon is determined by the importance of the figure.
The main scene of the birth of Christ is usually in the center of the icon. Other scenes can be depicted in different locations. The background is usually painted in a neutral color.
Originally published by London County Council, London, 1966
Despite its name, the London County Council was not particularly large. Its powers were delegated to the various boroughs and boroughs within. The most prominent among them was the North West London borough. The other notable boroughs were the East London borough and the southeastern unit of Kensington and Chelsea. The former contained the most residents while the latter two boroughs were a bit more staid. The boroughs were also the home of the council’s corporate headquarters. The council’s nip and tip was not without its own qualms. Despite its petty bureaucracy, it managed to secure a sprinkling of high profile contracts for the likes of the BBC and the Queens Park and Westminster boroughs. The council was hailed as the national champion in the 1970s, a position it was ill-prepared to maintain.
