A NEW Dean of Salisbury has been approved by the Queen and will start in the role later this year.

The Reverend Canon Nicholas Papadopulos, Canon Treasurer of Canterbury Cathedral, will be installed as the 81st Dean of Salisbury at Evensong on September 9.

Canon Nick travelled to Salisbury Cathedral yesterday morning to meet Cathedral clergy, including the three residentiary Canons, staff and members of the Cathedral Chapter.

His appointment follows the departure of the Very Reverend June Osborne to become Bishop of Llandaff last July.

In the interim Canon Edward Probert, Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral, has been Acting Dean and will continue in that role until Canon Nick is installed later in the year.

He will live in the 17th century Deanery in the Cathedral Close with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Barnaby and Thea.

Salisbury is one of the Old Foundation cathedrals, which are those of medieval origin. Its first ever dean was appointed in the 12th century, when the Cathedral was on its original site in Old Sarum. Today, the Dean is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister. The selection process for the role was overseen by the Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury.

Canon Nick said: “Salisbury Cathedral shaped my early ministry, and taught me the immeasurable value of a shared life of prayer and the extraordinary power of worship. Returning as Dean is an awesome privilege - I am deeply grateful to all involved in the appointment process.

“I now look forward to working with a gifted and dedicated team of colleagues, staff and volunteers, and with partners across the city, the counties and the Diocese.

“We live in uncertain times, as the attack on the streets of Salisbury has brought home to us. But this is Holy Week, when we walk with Christ in his suffering and hear his words on the first Easter morning: “Do not be afraid”.

“Salisbury Cathedral embodies a Gospel of light in place of darkness, and hope in place of fear. I am thrilled to have been called to serve it”.

Bishop Nicholas said: “Nick Papadopulos will be coming back to Salisbury which is a place he loves.

“He has a commitment to the Cathedral as a house of prayer in service to the wider community.

“I think this will be the best Easter present that the Cathedral congregation could have. It also adds to that sense of Salisbury getting back to new life.”