2024-12-31-accounts - The Orthodox Eucharistic Community In South London

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THE ORTHODOX EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY IN SOUTH LONDON

Registered charity number 1105211

Address for contact: Birchenhoe, Crowfield, Brackley NN13 5TW

ANNUAL REPORT

for the calendar year 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Trustees

In the year, the following persons served as Trustees of the Orthodox Eucharistic Community in “ South London ( the Charity”) :

Very Reverend Archpriest Alexander Fostiropoulos (Chair) Ms. Carol S. Graves Mr. Alexis Martinowsky Ms. F.M.H. Rattray Mr. R.A. Hookway Mr. K.M.S. Alton Honeywell

The Charity does not act as a custodian trustee.

Structure and Administration

The Charity was established by a Trust Deed dated 20 June 2004 and its object is to advance the Orthodox Christian Faith, as defined in the Trust Deed. It does this through its support for the canonical Orthodox Parish of St. Peter and St. Paul, Clapham, London SW4 which is a Parish within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople headed by His AllHoliness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople. The Parish is part of the Deanery in the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, headed by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas.

The Trust Deed permits a maximum of twelve trustees, all of whom must be communicant members of the Orthodox Church.

New Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees when necessary or when a vacancy occurs. The Trustees hope that new, younger, Trustees will be appointed in the next few years.

Public Benefit

The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commissioners ’ advice and consider that the activities of the Charity are in the public benefit.

Vulnerable Beneficiaries

The Trustees have adopted formal policies for the protection of children and vulnerable beneficiaries, details of which are readily available to those attending the worship and activities of the Parish.

Review of the Year: Activities and Performance

Our parish is served by its rector, the Very Reverend Archpriest Alexander Fostiropoulos, and the non-stipendiary priests the Reverend Ian Page and (until the end of December 2024) Reverend Stefan Strekopytov.

In 2024 we sought to continue to build on the work of previous years but have still not been able to achieve our ultimate goal of offering weekly Liturgies as we are sharing the facilities of St. Peter ’ s Anglican Church in Clapham Manor Street. Securing a dedicated place of worship continues to be a very high priority as we are unlikely to be able to extend our opportunities for worship without such an arrangement. However, we are deeply grateful to the PCC and parishioners of St. Peter ’ s Church for their hospitality. Negotiations are continuing with the PCC of St. Peter ’ s Church to secure a longer-term agreement to enable us to stay there and have more services, and for facilities available to us to be improved. We are now paying St. Peter ’ s PCC £15,000 a year for our use of the Church premises.

Our services presently consist of the Divine Liturgy on the second, fourth and fifth (when one occurs) Sunday of each month with the Vigil service on the evening before the second Sunday. They are primarily conducted in English with some Church Slavonic and Greek. At the Liturgy, the Lord ’ s Prayer is sung first in English, then Slavonic, Greek, and Romanian, and sometimes other languages, reflecting the countries and backgrounds of most of our parishioners. Extra services are celebrated during Great Lent and in Holy Week. We also aim to celebrate Vesperal Liturgies on the eve of the Great Feasts.

Near the end of the Sunday Liturgy, after Holy Communion, we have classes for our children, run by parents under the guidance of Father Alexander. The children ’ s ages range from toddlers up to early teens. The numbers taking part vary with holidays and half-terms but average some fifteen children. Our adult members are nurtured in the Christian faith by the sermon during each Sunday Liturgy, the didactic nature of the liturgical services and by our well-stocked bookstall which also sells icons, which is staffed before and after the Sunday Liturgy by volunteers from the parish.

Our priests continued the pastoral care of our parishioners by visiting them regularly, especially those who have had to move some distance away, are elderly, in ill-health, or incapacitated.

Our parish now cares for over 300 souls including almost 100 children and young people, and our Sunday Liturgy now has typically over 80 worshippers. A growing number of mainly young men and women have started worshipping with us and a series of in-person Catechism sessions are offered for those wishing to be baptised or be received in the Orthodox Church. Our main opportunity to get to know each other is our ‘ bring and share ’ lunch on Sunday. Additional opportunities are given at the annual Parish Sale & Celebration at the start of the year and at the Patronal Festival at the end of June. The Parish Advisory Council are continuing to look at ways of encouraging more people to work together in the service of the church. An occasional publication “Reflections” is also offered to everyone in an effort to nourish our collective experience of faith.

We are especially grateful to Margaret Haig, Vitalie and Maria Rotaru, Caitlin Kelly and John Goldie-Scott for their dedicated and expert leadership of the singing during the celebration of the services.

Christine Brown is the Parish Warden, and we are all most grateful to her and to Carol Graves and Christian Mititelu, her two assistants, for all that they do in this exacting role.

Summer Camp, and involvement in the local and wider community

The Summer Camp of the Deanery took place at its normal location in South Wales in 2024.

Several children and helpers from our parish participated in the camp, which was run under the guidance and pastoral supervision of our parish rector. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and offers children 9-16 years old, almost all of them living in cities, the unique opportunity to experience nearly 2 weeks of real tent camping in the countryside, where they can develop practical and leadership skills. No child is refused a place on account of their race, religion, or financial situation. Although the cost is kept minimal, bursaries are given to any child in financial need. The children attending the camp come from the whole of the U.K and in a few cases from abroad.

Our Parish is an active member of the Churches Together in Clapham (CTiC), a group of some 13 churches of different denominations in Clapham which continues to support and works with the following community-based projects:

The Hub, a safe place for vulnerable people through Friday and Saturday nights.

The Robes, which offers an overnight shelter for the homeless during the winter months.

A number of community groups including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA), meet regularly at St. Peter ’ s Church and the facilities used by these groups have been refurbished by our Parish.

The Parish also supports the work of the Ace of Clubs charity, a local Day Centre which helps homeless and vulnerable people by providing hot meals, showers, clothing, advice, and friendship,

by organising money collections, especially at Christmas, and selling tickets to parishioners which they can give to homeless people to enable them to have a meal at the Ace of Clubs.

We collect food donated by parishioners after every Liturgy and the food is taken by Christian Mititelu to the Olive Tree Aid, which was founded by St. Nectarios Orthodox Parish in Battersea.

Members of our parish participate annually in the Clapham area service for the international World Day of Prayer.

The rector of the parish also works as a Chaplain in Higher Education, based at King ’ s College, London and at the London School of Economics. In addition, one weekend a month he normally serves the Liturgy for two of our Deanery Communities based in Canterbury and in Lamberhurst in Kent.

Financial support and place of worship

Our finances continue to be robust (see attached report). We are, however, still aware that we need to raise more money by regular donations, preferably made under the Gift Aid scheme. Our longterm aspiration remains to have a dedicated place of worship whilst ideally continuing to pay for the services of a housed and dedicated full-time priest.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who have been so generous in donating money to our parish and to the Priest-in-Charge, people, and PCC of St. Peter ’ s Church for their hospitality.

Trustees ’ Policies

The Trustees have adopted the following policies:-

Safeguarding

Our safeguarding policy follows that of the Deanery in the Archdiocese of Thyateira. This was last updated in November 2023 and can be viewed at https://thyateira-deanery.uk/node/235.

Conflicts of Interest

Trustees must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest and abstain from voting on any matters in which they may have a contrary interest to that of the Charity.

Internal Financial Controls, policy and procedures

The Treasurer must authorise all payments and ensure that annual accounts are produced, and if necessary, a report must be obtained from an Independent Examiner.

Financial Reserves, and investing charity funds, policies and procedures

The Trustees aim to keep reserves at a constant level and will only invest funds not needed for immediate use, on professional advice.

Complaints, Bullying and Harassment, policies and procedures

Any such matters will be referred to the Rector of the Parish for investigation and resolution. If the Rector is himself the subject of the reference, the matter will instead be referred to the Dean of the Deanery or in his absence the Archbishop.

Serious Incidents, policies and procedures

Any serious incidents must be referred to the Trustees who will consider the matter, take professional advice where appropriate, and contact the statutory authorities and make a report to the Charity Commission.

Trustees’ Expenses

Trustees are entitled to be repaid their proper expenses, and those incurred in attending meetings of the Trustees, using public transport (standard class fares) or mileage rates as approved by H.M. Revenue and Customs. Claims should be submitted to the Treasurer.

Social Media

The Charity does not have any social media accounts.

Engaging External Speakers at Charity events

The Charity does not undertake this. Occasionally an Orthodox cleric from another community might be asked to preach at a service, but this is a matter for the Parish clergy rather than the Trustees.

30 August 2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl mombern of The Orthodox Eucharistic Community in South London On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no (If anyl 1105211 Set out on pages 3and4 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yhe Trust.) for the year ended 31112 12024. Rospon51bllltles and basls of roport As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for tha preparation of th8 account8 in accordanc8 Wrth the requ1MentS of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect ol my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed 811 the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commig&on under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Indépandant ff he chanty's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualffied to examlner'8 ststement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Einsert name of applicable listed bodyll. Delete [ ] if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confinn Ihat no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disdosed below '} which gives me Gause to believe that in, any material respect.. Ihe accounting records were not kepl in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concorning th@ fomi And contant ol Accounts s8t out in tha Charitias (Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirernent that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which 15 not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in cOnrcli0n with the examination to which attention should l)e drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the account8 to be reached. Plea6e dglgte thp words in the brackets if they do not apply. Sioned: Date: Name: IER Oct 2018

Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body lif any): Addr8SS: Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (8ea CC32, Independent examination of charity acGount?. direGtions and guidance for examiners). Cive hor• brièf details of any ltsms thatthe examlner wlshes to dieclogo. IER Oct 2018

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Th# Ortlvxlox Euch•ristic Commun in South London Receipts and payments accounts CC16a or the period from To 01 Jan 24 31 Doe 24 Section A Receipts and payments Unr•slrietèd fund• Re5tTlcted funds End¢)wm•fil funds Total fund) La•1 y•ar to th& fwr•$t toth• wr•st£ lo th• nMr••t£ to th• rnar••t£ to th• nMmt£ A1 Recoi S•Mce Collecton SeNLe Collectyon tt0 h •nvt Olhef Donobon lathèr G•r¥*s1 Olher Donth'on Gffi aid form i •nveiope Oth•r Donabon IExtra-orthn8 Ch8pltywyl Oth•r Don8lon GA IExtr&ordinwyl Stanthg Order wth Gft rorms stanthn Ord•f - Other BAnk Interests + Investmènt Iwme 7,656 5,218 1,103 3,744 941 2.31• 70.389 6,216 1.103 25,041 20.000 5,641 11,970 iJ,8so 780 28.449 14.470 37,142 6.327 37,142 6,327 862 Books 102,96e 123.473 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 97,32 A2 As••t •nd Invesim•nl ul•s, (s•• tabl•). Sub total 123.473 Total recelpts 97,326 S.841 102,968 A3 P•yments Pastor Care W•n••o CtrwJrr.h 42,280 10,215 Is.000 42,2S7 10,911 15,750 42,260 10,216 16.000 2.630 6,733 Vew Books Don8tson 1,7JJ 219 2,622 291 269 Y7,127 72.8tyJ Sub total 76.838 289 A4 Asset and investment purchas01, (••e table) New Aw 11x1.000 11yI.r I,000 Sub total 100,000 172,8¢10 TOMI paymen 17¢,$39 289 177.127 74.159 49,027 Nei of receipt&(paym•nts) A5 Transfors between fund• A6 Cash funds last yoar @nd Cash funds this year end 79,611 6,362 246.020 171061 29S,047 246,020 246,020 166,609 5.352.24 1 $107r2025 CCXX R3 accounts ISS)

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end Ot the perlod Unrestrictod fund3 t• TT••1 e 076 82.746 Rostrict•d fund• endowment funds to rur•st £ Bl Cash funds CAF C•8h H38C Total cash fvnds ifjo.rA) unrnsirfcthd R•strlGled Endowment fund• funds noamt£ fund• OÈiail4 82 Other monetary assets Fund to ¥thch asget CurT•nt v4h Cosl l)4lon•l) Det3ils sam1. 20% tno¥. 8ODA a InY•rtmgnt a8••t• Fund to Th aM•t b•1 Cuirtnt Cost Det21lJ 8urlal Plxe S•t ol Icons oak Cr056 B4 A•••tg r•taln•d lof th• eharlty's own u•e Ve•tmenl Icon of Mwip from Paris vario Carnp •qulpm•nt (BBQ, Fund to *fftlch IbatrAI Am¢t Di>ia115 BS Llabllltles Signed by one or trle86 on bèh•ll of al the tru&te•• Date of roval Signatur• Print Nam• tSD)7r2025 CCXX R3 (SSJ