Sea in culture of barbarian invaders and knowledge of geography took a backward step. In the seventh century, Isidore of Seville produced a "wheel map" in which Asia, Africa and Europe were arranged like segments in an orange, separated by the "Mare Mediterranean", "Nilus" and "Tanais" and surrounded by "Oceanus". It was not until the fifteenth century that Ptolemy's maps were used again and Henry the Navigator of Portugal initiated ocean exploration and maritime research. Encouraged by him, Portuguese navigators explored, mapped and charted the west coast of Africa and the Eastern Atlantic and this knowledge prepared the way for the great voyages
UK, Europe and Africa Malankara Orthodox Diocese UK, Europe and Africa was formed in 2009, with Diocesan Metropolitan Mathews Mar Thimothios. Diocese of UK, Europe and Africa includes the territorial area of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Germany, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, Greece, Cape Town in South Africa and Kenya. The Diocesan headquarters is in St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Cranfield Road, Brockley, London. The Administrative Annexe in India is in Parumala Seminary. This was consecrated by Baselios Mar Thoma Didymus I Valiya Bava. the diocese had 23 Parishes and Congregations and 10 priests. http://www.stthomasiocaberdeen.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/IOCNI/ http://www.ststephensioc.co.uk http://www.stmarysindianorthodoxchurchbristol.com www.indianorthodoxcambridge.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/canterburyioc http://holytrinityioccrawley.com http://www.indianorthodoxchurchglasgow.co.uk http://www.stthomasorthodoxlondon.org/ http://indianorthodoxchurchkingslynn.co.uk