On the evening of Sunday, 17th March 2024, at the Holy Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom in Bayswater, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas presided over the Vespers of Forgiveness, marking the commencement of Holy and Great Lent. Joining His Eminence in prayer were His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Colognia and His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Claudiopolis, along with the Very Revd Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis, Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese. Numerous clergymen from the greater London area also attended, as is customary for the start of Great Lent.

After vespers, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas expressed his wishes for a blessed and fruitful Lenten season to all those present and invited the Revd Protopresbyter John Hookway to deliver a homily on the significance of forgiveness in the lives of Orthodox Christians.