Anne Lloyd, former Church Secretary of St Andrew’s, and also of the Association Friends of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, yesterday attended a Service of Thanksgiving commemorating 50 years of faithful witness and ministry in the Diocese, which was held at St Clement Danes in London.

Maintaining the strong Kyrenia connection, Linda Smith is now the current Secretary of the Association of Friends. For more information or to become a Friend of the Diocese, please go to: https://www.cypgulf.org/association-of-friends/

Bishop Sean’s sermon reflected on the Diocese at 50, and on the challenges that lay ahead—not just for Cyprus and the Gulf, but for the Church everywhere.

“Anglicanism, with its moderate theology and well-established governance, is well received in the Middle East. We have the reputation of being respectful and committed interfaith and ecumenical interlocutors able to promote dialogue across boundaries and divisions.

“We are well known for our humanitarian outreach, through St George’s Clinic in Baghdad, which is greatly supported by Mosaic Middle East; and through the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic in Aden—run entirely by Muslim staff, in a war-torn area, as a ministry of an Anglican diocese. Here light is literally brought into the darkness of people’s lives.”

He referred too, to a Diocese offering “Christian love and belonging to migrants drawn to the Middle East from all over the world…. For migrants experiencing culture shock, loneliness and the pains of separation from their families, our churches provide a spiritual ‘home from home’, and a spiritual family.

Bishop Sean concluded:
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Here is the link to the beautiful service for Earl, which was held in Ireland on Saturday.

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https://www.cypgulf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Diocesan-monthly-Evening-Prayer-2026-1.pdf

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The Service will be recorded and shared with Earl’s friends around the world on St Patrick’s Cathedral, Facebook page.

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh – Anglican – COI

We are delighted to learn that Rev’d Canon Dr Walter Brownridge is to become Dean of St Paul’s.
Diocesan Secretary, Canon Georgia, brought Rev’d Walter and his wife Tina to visit St Andrew’s, during their time at St Paul’s over the summer.
Rev’d Walter and Fr Alec were delighted to learn they had a number of mutual friends. We very much look forward to welcoming Tina and Walter to Kyrenia for another visit.

Please hold in your prayers the Ras Morbat Clinic in Aden, which has temporarily closed due to ongoing political instability, its director Mansour Yousuf, his staff and the people of Yemen.

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The Ras Morbat Clinic is enabled by the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf to serve Yemen’s poor, refugees and displaced people who cannot afford eye care otherwise.

Epiphany is an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the nature of God’s physical manifestation on Earth and pay homage to three important visitors in the biblical account of Jesus’ birth.

A Prayer for Epiphany:

We are drawn to your feet in worship
Your creation facing its creator
Hearts laid bare by your light
Humbly asking for your mercy.
We come to you as a people in need
of assurance and forgiveness.
We come to you as a people in need
of healing and wholeness.
We come dependent upon your love.
Draw us close.
Enfold us in your arms.
Fill us with your Spirit
that we might reflect your light
within this dark world,
speak your Word with boldness
and draw others to your feet.
We ask this through your dear Son Jesus Christ.
Amen