More than 250 people have been welcomed into the Greek Orthodox Church in Britain after a weekend of mass baptisms across the country. 

The Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain held services over the weekend.

Archbishop Nikitas led the ceremony at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Hertfordshire on 4 April, the Saturday of Lazarus, where 75 people were baptised. Similar events took place in cities including Birmingham, Manchester and London. 

Those who have been baptised followed the Discover Orthodoxy programme, meeting weekly on Zoom in preparation since September last year. 

After being baptised, the new believers held candles while taking part in Divine Liturgy and received the Holy Eucharist for the first time. They then enjoyed a Lenten reception with their families and the congregation. 

A statement from the Archdiocese said: “The day will be remembered not only for the number received, but for what it quietly revealed – a growing and living Church, gathering people from many places into a shared life.

“Participants came from a wide range of backgrounds, including the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and across the Commonwealth and Europe,” it added.