LONDON, UK – On January 25, Conservative Friends of Cyprus (CFCyprus) held their annual New Year’s Vasilopita Reception, graciously hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas at Thyateira House in Bayswater.

The annual Greek-Cypriot tradition of the cutting of the Vasilopita was carried out by Archbishop Nikitas in the presence of High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus Andreas S. Kakouris, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic Ioannis Raptakis, the Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP (CFCyprus President and MP for Chipping Barnet), Ben Everitt MP for Milton Keynes North, Mike Wood MP for Dudley South, Deputy Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief David Burrowes, and other distinguished guests.

The following message was provided by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and read out at the reception: “I wish the Greek Orthodox community of Great Britain every blessing for 2022. As you come together to share the Vasilopita, I am reminded of the enormous contribution the Orthodox community makes to this country. From the food bank of St. Nektarios feeding the hungry in Battersea to the help of the Archbishop in encouraging everyone to come forward and take their booster jab. I look forward to the visit of His All-Holiness the [Ecumenical] Patriarch this year who is blessing our country with his presence — so I am confident 2022 will be a special year for us all.”

CFCyprus congratulated Dr. Ian Twinn CBE for winning the lucky coin. The commemorative coin, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the UK, was generously donated by Archbishop Nikitas.

CFCyprus also thanked their generous sponsor, Councillor Maria Alexandrou.