Elections 14 June 2026

Published Sunday, 24 May 2026

Dear Community,

Following a formal Committee decision, we are pleased to announce that the elections for the Greek Orthodox Community Committee will be held on:

To ensure a fair and transparent process, please take note of the following critical requirements and milestones:

• Electoral Committee: In accordance with Article 7(2) of the Constitution, an Electoral Committee has been appointed to oversee the election process. Its members are Mr Alexandros Lezos, Mrs Eirini Vasilaki and Mr Cyril Bistrov. These members are not prospective nominees for election.
• Nominations open: Formal nominations for the Committee are considered open with the publication of this announcement on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
• Nomination deadline: All nominations must be submitted to the Electoral Committee in writing to the email: contact@middlesbrough-annunciation.co.uk, no later than Thursday, 11 June 2026, at 11:59 pm.
• Voter & candidate eligibility: To participate in the election — either as a voter or as a candidate for the Committee — you must be a fully registered member of the Community no later than Thursday, 11 June 2026. As a reminder, people who have registered within the past 12 months (after June 2025) are eligible voters and candidates. If you are unsure of your current status, please contact Mr Alexandros Lezos in writing to the email: contact@middlesbrough-annunciation.co.uk to verify your registration.
• Worship requirement: According to our Community's Constitution, "only those who worship in the Middlesbrough Church of the Community may vote in elections for the Committee or be members thereof". Upon the recommendation of Bishop Raphael, Fr Nikita will have the authority to veto candidates who do not meet the basic requirements for membership from participating in the election process.

We encourage all eligible members to participate in shaping the future of our Community.

As a reminder, the following criteria must be fulfilled by anyone wishing to take part in the elections of the Committee of the Community:

• To have reached their eighteenth (18th) birthday.
• To be an Orthodox Christian (by Baptism or Chrismation) for at least six months prior to the elections.
• To accept the spiritual jurisdiction and authority of the clergy of the Community, the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
• To have attended services at the Middlesbrough Church of the Annunciation previous to their exercising such a vote, and to intend to worship — at least monthly — in this Church and Community.
• To have paid, prior to taking part in the elections, their annual subscription of £20 (£10 for students and pensioners).

Nikita Banev
Priest-in-Charge
with the Committee of the Community