A LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Come, Holy Spirit. Come, renew the face of the earth.
Holy Spirit, bringing order out of chaos,
bring order to our actions and purpose in our lives.
Come, renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, moving in the deep places of creation,
move in the depths of our hearts.
Come, renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, breathing life into all creatures,
refresh, renew, restore your people.
Come, renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, giver of all good gifts,
help us to use our talents and abilities aright.
Come, renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, giving life to dry bones, give hope and joy to all who are weary.
Restore the lives which without you are dead.
Come, renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, giver of love, kindle the hearts which without you are dull and cold. Fill your church, our hearts and minds, with the breath of your love.
Come, renew the face of the earth.

St Andrew’s was sad to learn of the recent death of Marion Stuart – a lively and colourful character, who will be missed by a lot of people.

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An independant wedding celebrant, Marion also conducted funerals. She provided an alternative for non-religious people, whilst creating an atmosphere of dignity and reverence.
Marion had a compassionate nature, which encouraged a feeling of empathy amongst people at these gatherings.

Marion was also a fun person, often seen at charity events and social gatherings, and she took part in pantomimes produced by the Kyrenia Amateur Dramatics Society. Marion will be sadly missed in many areas of local life.

Revd John Kemp was the priest at St Andrew’s from 1990-1994, before he and his wife retired to Suffolk.

Yesterday, their daughter Liz visited The Hermitage, which was her parents’ home for three years. Liz and her husband, Paul had happy memories of visiting with their sons.

The Hermitage has changed from how they remembered it, as it was later altered to provide an additional bedroom and bathroom at the fron. A new terrace was built.
The planned changes are shown on this old plan, with the extension pencilled in.

Liz remembers eating out on the original terrace, where the front door and entrance are today.

David Birt was laid to rest at Green Hill Cemetery this morning, under a glorious Cypriot sky, with a backdrop of mountains and a magnificent sea view.

David and Sally’s four children were all present and Simon, the eldest, spoke movingly about their father.

Sally’s devoted husband of 66 years, David was also a skilled engineer, enthusiastic traveller and keen sailor.
At the age of 70, David sailed from East Anglia to Cyprus, with family members joining him on different legs of the journey. His love of the sea never left him.

David’s funeral finished with the song ‘Myfanwy’ – a fitting farewell for a proud Welshman and great lover of music.

Bishop Sean invites the people of all the parishes and beyond to join St Christopher’s Cathedral online tomorrow (19 May 2026) at 1800 (Bahrain & Cyprus) for a special Diocesan service—an opportunity for the people and friends of the Diocese to draw together in prayer.

Tomorrow’s service will be led by the Reverend Maria Evangelou, Deacon at St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia.

To join the service via Zoom, use the link below or visit https://www.cypgulf.org/ and click the green button to access the link.

(Please note this link is the same as that used for regular daily online services of Evening Prayer from St Christopher’s Cathedral, held at 1800 Bahrain & Cyprus time)

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82361522080? pwd=Wg7FuKkIL3Q3w0a66erm7hSQ13qd ES.1

Meeting ID: 823 6152 2080 Passcode: 773748

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Wonderful to welcome Henry Ikediego back to St Andrew’s today, as our guest preacher.

Henry preached very powerfully on John 17:11 – Jesus praying that the Church would be one, as He and the Father are one.
Henry talked about the destructiveness caused by division and the vital importance of unity in working for the Kingdom of God.

Bishop Sean will ordain Henry as Deacon at St Mark’s Famagusta on Saturday 6th June.

It was with great sadness that we learned, from his wife Lee, of the death on Saturday of Revd Brian McHugh, at their home in the UK.

After a number of setbacks preventing them from travelling out to Kyrenia, Lee and Brian were hopeful that this was becoming a possibility.

Despite not being able to attend St Andrews for some time, however, they have continued to support the church and take a keen interest in everything that happens at St Andrew’s.

We pray for Brian and hold Lee in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers.

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Canon Georgia Katsantonis is to bid farewell to the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf on 31 July 2026, after more than 40 years’ service. Please join Bishop Sean and Jenny in holding Georgia and her family in your prayers.

Canon Georgia joined the Diocese in 1984, as PA to the Right Reverend Harry Moore, second bishop of the Diocese. In addition to supporting the work—and families—of successive bishops and the central Diocesan Office, Georgia also served for a period in the role of Provincial Secretary.

At her installation in May 2023 as an ecumenical lay canon at St Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia—the first such canon in the Diocese—Bishop Michael Lewis noted Georgia’s “remarkably long and devoted service and her accumulated shrewd wisdom and knowledge: an observant Orthodox laywoman who knows more about the ways and varieties of worldwide as well as local Anglicanism than most Anglicans”.

Georgia (left) with colleagues Helen and Anetta.

Georgia will be greatly missed by so many, in parishes across Cyprus and the Gulf, and especially by her colleagues in her home from home, the Diocesan Offices in Nicosia.