Today marks the fiftieth Anniversary of the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East and its constituent dioceses.
The Right Reverend Leonard Ashton was instituted as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

In his message to the Diocese on this, our 50th Anniversary, Bishop Sean says:

“ It was deeply poignant for me to be in St George’s Cathedral at midnight on the 5 January 2026 to give thanks for our Province and Dioceses, and to commend them anew to God.

Each of these new beginnings fifty years ago occurred under the midnight stars of Jerusalem, on the Feast Day of the Epiphany. At Epiphany we celebrate the manifestation of Christ to the Magi, thus symbolising the revelation of Christ to the nations of the world.
This symbolism and theology of the Epiphany seem particularly significant to the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, composed mainly but not exclusively of Christians drawn to the Middle East from all over the world.

And so today as we celebrate our Golden Anniversary and begin our Jubilee Year, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the lives and ministries of Anglican Christians who, over these fifty years, have reflected
the light of Christ into some of the most traumatised, complex and challenging places in the world.

We pray that Christ, the Prince of Peace, may grant us grace and strength to work for the “unarmed peace” of the Gospel in our region. And we continue to open our lives and structures to the refining and transforming presence of the Holy Spirit.

I invite you today to give thanks with me for the witness of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, and to pray that the faith, hope and love of Christ may continue to be manifest through our lives and ministry in the nations we serve”.

The full text of Bishop Sean’s letter can be read here:
50th Anniversary Letter

We have leaned the sad news that Irene Jeynes, wife of Reverend Tony, has died in the UK.

Tony was the priest in Kyrenia from 2004-2007, before he and Irene moved to Paphos.

Irene and Tony have returned to Cyprus more recently. In 2019 Revd Tony provided cover for Fr Andrew in Limassol.

Please remember Irene and her family in your prayers.

A blessed and joyful 2026 to all of the St Andrew’s family and friends – wherever you are in the world, near or far.

Santa and his elves came to St Andrew’s on Christmas Eve – bringing 100 beautiful new blue cushions!
Here are two of his little helpers, Wendy and Malcom, on Christmas morning. Thanks also to Jacqueline, Rae, Bill, Fr Alec and Linda for helping Santa replace the faithful old cushions, which will be donated to a local cat sanctuary.

We have received a very kind message and some great photos from Earl’s family:

“Thank you very much for your lovely sympathy card and all the sympathy messages from the members of St Andrews Church in Kyrenia. They are very much appreciated by Earls siblings here in Northern Ireland.

A memorial service is to be held here in Armagh cathedral on 24 January in celebration of Earl’s life long love of music.

We have included a few photos of Earl which were on display at the wake held for him which show his other loves of food and dogs and the esteem he was held in Kyrenia and Vouvant.

Many thanks again
Edwin, Kenda and Lorraine”

Everyone is most welcome to join us for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and for our Christmas Morning Service-

• Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December – Midnight Mass. Starting 11.30 pm

• Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December – Christmas Service 10.30 am

“Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away”.
So began our Advent Carol Service – with this beautiful chant from the Island of Iona in Scotland, accompanied by musicians Linda on the organ and Kennedy on violin.

“The true light … was coming into the world” was the theme, explored through readings from Genesis, Isaiah, Micah, Luke, Malachi and John, and concluding with reflection on the words of Quaker George Fox that there is “that of God in every man” – the ‘inner light’ to guide us all.

It was a joy to be joined by Pastor Alex and members of the Russian Evangelical Church, as well as members of the Nepalese Worship Group, together with many others, at this special time in Advent.

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