We were delighted to be joined by members of St Mark’s Famagusta Student Chaplaincy – and by friends and visitors from many parts of the world – in a service of welcome and celebration for Bishop Sean on Sunday 23 June, following his enthronement the previous day in St Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia.
The service included gospel songs Imela (You’ve done well) and Wahamba nathi (You walked with us) performed by members of St Mark’s.
Bishop Sean’s sermon incorporated his Charge to the Diocese – outline of the principles and priorities of his episcopal ministry, first delivered at his enthronement in St Paul’s.
Describing a “unique” Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, stretching “like a tent” across the geopolitical crossroads of the world, Bishop Sean spoke of the “crucial values of spiritual discernment, Christlike behaviour and good neighbourliness” for Anglican Christians in the region who, he said, are often “migrants welcoming other migrants into their churches”.
The Litany of Intercession particularly touched Bishop Sean, with the Cantor calling out in IsiZulu ‘Thuma mina, thuma mina, thuma mina, Somandla’ (Send me, Jesus; send me, Jesus; send me, Jesus; send me Lord) – words from his native South Africa ringing out from the Church of St Andrew, Kyrenia.
We were particularly pleased to welcome honoured guests including: Muftu Mustafa Usta – Muftu of Girne, a representative of Murat Sengul Bey – Mayor of Girne, The Venerable Michael Mbona – Archdeacon of The Gulf, as well as representatives from the Maranatha Church Group, the Norwegian Church Abroad, the Royal British Legion, the British Residents’ Society and the British Cemeteries Committee. Our solicitor, Peyman Erginel Hanim, was also kind enough to join us.
The service and reception afterwards, was a joyful occasion, enjoyed by friends old and new. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it happen and to everyone who came on the day.
We very much appreciate Bishop Sean coming to St Andrew’s as his first engagement on the island after his Enthronement and very much look forward to seeing him here again.
Photo credits: Leo Igwe
