I recently had the pleasure of visiting the
beautiful Greek Orthodox Church of St Michael in Margate. This Church is widely
known within the Orthodox Community, due to the fact that every Theophany
countless Orthodox visit Margate and this Church in order to partake in the
throwing of the Holy Cross in the Sea, where numerous faithful swim in order to
catch it. This event is of course attended by the Archbishop of Thyateira and
Great Britain, many priests, the local authorities and members of other Christian
denominations.
The Church has two significant
relics, a cross made by Fr. Paisios on Mount Athos, which is located in front
of the second relic, i.e. a magnificent icon of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus
Christ. Both these objects are an important part of the Church, which the
faithful can venerate.
The Greek Orthodox Community of
Margate was founded in 1964. Interestingly enough it followed the path of many
Orthodox Communities in the U.K., beginning with humble steps, whilst later
achieving the formation of a strong community.
Before obtaining the church
building, the Services took place initially in the residence of the first
Chairman and then in the Anglican Church of All Saints in Westbrook. The
existing Church was acquired in 1964 and was consecrated on 23 March 1969 by
Archbishop Athenagoras. Currently this Orthodox Church attracts not only Greeks
but also Romanian, Polish and other Orthodox faithful. We are grateful and
thankful to Fr. Vissarion Kokliotis who gave us a wonderful tour of the Church
and Margate, explaining to us the history of the Community.
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