To celebrate its 25th anniversary the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge organised a fundraising event at Westminster Abbey, London, courtesy of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey. We are very grateful for the personal support and involvement of the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE, Dean of Westminster and of the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian and Almoner. The celebration was kindly hosted by Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain (Trustee of IOCS) and The Rt Rev’d and Rt Hon Prof Rowan Williams, Baron of Oystermouth (former Archbishop of Canterbury).
The event started with Evensong sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, where the the IOCS participants were generously welcomed as specials guests. Prayers were offered during the service for the mission and future of the Orthodox Institute. This was followed by an Orthodox Thanksgiving Service held in the Shrine of St Edward, led by our Principal, Father Dragos Herescu, with responses from a Byzantine choir conducted by IOCS Professor of Music, Alexander Lingas (music director and founder of Cappella Romana, and Archon Mousikodidáskalos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate).
The event concluded with a reception in the Jerusalem Chamber of the Abbey, where speeches were given by the hosts of the event, Archbishop Nikitas and Lord Rowan Williams, by Revd Dr James Hawkey, by His Eminence Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, by the Principal of IOCS, Father Dragos Herescu and by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Archpriest Stephen Platt, by the Founding Principal of the Institute, Revd Prof John Jillions and by master iconographer Aidan Hart who presented the celebratory icon of Christ the Teacher which he painted to mark this special occasion. Speeches were also offered by IOCS students Patrick Litton and Vaughan Koga.