Shrewsbury, December 23, 2025 – On Sunday, December 21, 2025, His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the Church of St Juliana of Nicomedia, in the city of Shrewsbury.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the historic Church, which came under the jurisdiction of the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain about six months ago and already constitutes the permanent house of prayer of the local Orthodox community. The building preserves a long-standing memory, as the presence of a church at the site is attested to as early as the 10th century, while references to it can be traced back to the Domesday Book. Its modern architectural appearance, in a classicist style, dates back to the fundamental renovation carried out by the architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard in 1750.
During his sermon, His Grace praised the spirit of Saint Juliana, who at a young age refused to submit to the dictates of pagan authority and rejected marriage to the Prefect of Nicomedia, setting faith in Christ as a non-negotiable condition. He referred to the
dialogue of the Martyr with her persecutor, where the Saint contrasted the perishable beauty of the body with the eternal splendour of the soul, emphasizing that her martyrdom functioned as a seed of faith, as it led to the confession and perfection of hundreds of other men and women.
His Grace conveyed to the congregation the paternal wishes and the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. After the end of the worship service, a festive meal was served. Subsequently, the Bishop visited the premises of the community school, where he attended the students’ Christmas celebration.
Kind regards,
Louis Loizou,
President.
