His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain and Doros Partasides
with the cross and his family at the ceremony.

On the evening of 7th June 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain bestowed the Cross commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of his election as Archbishop on Theodoros (Doros) Partasides, the well-known photographer and representative of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK), at a ceremony held at the Archdiocesan offices in Craven Hill, West London.

The honour was conferred in recognition of the many years during which he had covered the activities of the Archdiocese through either still photography or moving images, thereby promoting the accomplishments and growth of our Church in this country in a skillful and highly-creative way. Photography can be very revealing, and Doros had followed his profession with sensitivity and professional courtesy and expertise. Among other things, he referred to the double DVD celebrating the activities of the Archdiocese that was broadcast on Cyprus television and which also became available commercially.

He also welcomed the presence of Doros’ family with him on this happy occasion – greeting the photographer’s wife Vera, his children Constantinos & Marianna (congratulating them both on the positions that they achieved in their careers, to the pride and honour of their parents), his daughter-in-law Patricia and his grandchildren, Nayeli & Artemis.

In reply, Doros (clearly moved and – uncharacteristically – almost at a loss for words) said that it had been a privilege to serve both the Archdiocese and the Archbishop personally, and he referred to the many journeys that he made following His Eminence in the course of his work as he travelled around his diocese in the performance of his pastoral activities and which, as a journalist, he had been privileged to witness, but also to cover and report on. It was (he emphasised) indeed a blessing and something for which he was deeply grateful and honoured.

Also present at the ceremony were Pantelis Demosthenous (chairman of the Archdiocesan Chapel of the Annunciation of the Mother of God in Craven Hill), Archdeacon Meliton R. Oakes, and Theocharis Hadjikyriacou.