A new Dean has been installed at Salisbury Cathedral.

The Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos was officially installed as the Dean of Salisbury during a ceremony on Sunday, September 9.

He made his way to the west doors of Salisbury Cathedral dressed for the last time in the robes of Canterbury Cathedral, having served as the canon treasurer in Canterbury for the last five years.

Revd Papadopulos was accompanied by The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury, and his colleagues from Kent.

The Canterbury party were met at the cathedral’s west end by colleagues from Salisbury Cathedral and following a ceremonial exchange of robes, he was presented to The Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, the Bishop of Salisbury, who welcomed him.

The ceremony, which took place during the Cathedral’s service of Evensong, began with the “Royal Letters Patent” being read aloud, signalling the Queen’s approval of the appointment and authorisation for Revd Papadopulos to take up what is constitutionally a crown appointment.

More than 80 members of the clergy including three visiting Deans and five Bishops of other Dioceses were among the congregation or in the procession.

Amongst the lay dignitaries were the Lord Lieutenants of Wiltshire and Dorset, the Mayor of Bournemouth and the Leader of Bournemouth Council. The Assistant Chief Constables of Wiltshire and Chief Constable of Dorset represented the police at the service.

During the ceremony, the congregation was treated to music from Salisbury Cathedral’s choir, before Revd Papadopulos swore the oaths of allegiance to the Queen and the Bishop.

His family attended the ceremony and looked on as he was installed in his seat in the Quire of the Cathedral and preached his first sermon as Dean.

The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury said: “Becoming Dean of this ancient and beautiful Cathedral is an awesome responsibility. This place shaped my early ministry and taught me the power of worship and the value of a shared life of prayer. This Cathedral community sits at the heart of the city, just yards from the High Street – a place to gather, a place to relax, a place to study and a place to pray. It is a symbol of hope that is visible for miles around.”

I look forward to working with my colleagues, as well as with partners across the city, the counties and the Diocese to make a difference for the local community and all who visit this extraordinary place.”

Revd Papadopulos is the 81st Dean of Salisbury, an ancient role that can be traced back to the 12th Century and the original Salisbury Cathedral at Old Sarum.