The Annual Greek Festival in Milton Keynes takes place in Stony Stratford tomorrow afternoon (Sunday 5 July 2026) in the grounds of Greek Orthodox Church and the Swinfen Harris Church Hall on London Road, from 12:30 to 5.30 pm.
This year’s festival coincides with special services and liturgical celebrations marking is the 1,400 Anniversary of a significant event in the year 626 CE in Constantinople, present-day Istanbul.
While the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius was away on an expedition, a besieging army of Avars appeared outside the walls of Constantinople, also known as Βασιλεύουσα (Basileuousa) or Queen of Cities. The siege dragged on for several months and the outnumbered Byzantine troops were at the point of reaching desperation.
Despite all the odds, the people of the city kept faith, and the clergy processed through the city, with senior officials and many people, walking along the great walls of the city with an icon of The Mother of God and praying for a miracle.
The answer to their prayers seemed to come when a great storm brought huge tidal waves and the destruction of most of the enemy fleet, causing the besieging forces to retreat.
In a spontaneous response, clergy, officials and people poured into the Church of Saint Mary in Vlachernae (modern day Ayvansaray) on the Golden Horn. There they prayed all night standing up, hence the title Akathistos Hymn, giving thanks to Virgin Mary for the deliverance of their city. The Greek title akathistos literally means ‘not sitting’, because the hymn is sung while all remain standing.
The late Metropolitan Kallistos has written about the Akathistos Hymn as one of the greatest marvels of Greek religious poetry, with a richness of imagery that is the despair of any translator. The Akathistos Hymn has 24 main stanzas, alternatively long and short: each long stanza bears the title ‘Ikos’ and ends with the refrain ‘Hail, Bride without bridegroom’, while each short stanza is termed ‘kontakion’ and ends with the refrain ‘Alleluia’.
The Akathist Hymn is one of the most well-loved services of devotion in the Orthodox Church. Many scholars agree that the Akathist was composed by Saint Romanos the Melodist, who died in the year 556.
The original church in Constantinople has a rich and varied history but only a small shrine remains. The Ecumenical Patriarch made special reference in the Ecumenical Patriarchate Yearbook to this year having a focus on Panagia Vlachernae.
The Greek Orthodox Church in Stony Stratford is dedicated to Saint Ambrose and Saint Stylianos. It also houses a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary of Vlachernae, the only such chapel in north-west Europe. Because of this, the Greek community is dedicating this year’s Paniyiri or Annual Greek Festival to commemorating this historic event.
A number of church services have been held since Wednesday (1 July), including Holy Vigils on Wednesday and Thursday, the Paraclete Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos last night, and Solemn Vespers from 6 pm this evening. The celebrations tomorrow (Sunday 5 July) begin with Matins, followed by a Solemn Divine Liturgy, starting at 9 am and ending with a blessing from the Holy Water of Our Lady of Vlachernae in Constantinople.
The festivities continue this afternoon with the Panigyri or Greek Festival 2026 from 12.30 to 5.30 pm. There will be live Greek music, traditional dances, food and drink, desserts, salads, souvlaki, ecclesiastical items and coffees, including Greek coffee and frappé – which is a Greek invention – all bringing a Hellenic and Mediterranean air to the heart of Stony Stratford.
Diavazo Greek Books are bringing with their specially selected range of Greek books, offering an insight into Greek culture and life. The teachers and pupils from the Greek School with also will be present, ready to have a friendly chat about Greek lessons for children and adults at all levels. The school is also having its summer celebrations next Thursday (9 July), with films, a barbecue and family fun from 5 pm.
Greek dancing at last year’s Greek Festival in Stony Stratford (Patrick Comerford)
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