• Palm Sunday Service – 29th March 10.30am

• Maundy Thursday (with foot washing) –
2nd April 6pm

• Good Friday – 3rd April 12 – 3pm
The Last Three Hours (Service begins at 2pm)

• Easter Sunrise Service – 5th April 6am
(at The Hermitage)

• Easter Sunday Service – 5th April 10.30am

At this time of fear and uncertainty, Bishop Sean shares a message and prayers with the people of the Diocese.

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A message from Bishop Sean:

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Yesterday, six of the countries of our Diocese were subjected to missile and drone attacks in response to the United States and Israeli strikes on Iran. As I write there are reports of continuing attacks on many countries—now including all ten in our Diocese. We find ourselves suddenly living through the danger, unpredictability and terror of war.

Amidst the fear and pain of this time, our faith inspires us to make real the love and compassion of Christ, in search of peace and understanding.

In the last 24 hours I have been in contact with clergy and parishioners across our Diocese and Province. I am grateful for the responsiveness and compassion of our clergy and those in parish leadership, who have rallied quickly to check on parishioners and to offer them spiritual and practical support. Where it has been unsafe to travel to church, online services are being offered, and virtual prayer groups have gathered.

No one knows how long this conflict will last or how it might continue to affect our lives.

We pray for peace—for a swift end to conflict; for the leaders of the world to be inspired by the just and peaceful rule of the Kingdom of God; and for all who strive for de-escalation and negotiation in our region.

We pray for God’s protection over all people; for the clergy and people of our sister dioceses of Jerusalem and Iran; for our clergy and people, and for ourselves.

We pray for the empowering of the Holy Spirit; for the grace to bear witness to the faith, hope and love of Christ in traumatic times; and for courage and creativity to meet the challenges we face.

From the wellspring of prayer flows vitality, resilience and yes, peace. Our Lord taught that despite the tribulations of the world we will find peace in him, for he has overcome the world. (John 16.33)

I pray that the deep peace of God which transcends all earthly understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus through this time, and overcome all our fears. (Philippians 4.7)

And I thank our friends and partners across the world for their support and prayers.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Sean

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Praying from the Book of Common Prayer (2019)

For the Peace of the World

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

For the Peace of the World

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Times of Social Conflict or Distress

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighbourliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of the Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East. Saturday 28 February 2026

Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you are all now painfully aware, in the early hours of this morning, February 28th, a coordinated and massive military assault was launched by the United States and Israel against numerous cities and installations within Iran. This operation, described by the leaders of the two nations as a “pre-emptive” attack, has brought fire and destruction to the heart of Tehran, Isfahan, and beyond, striking at the very centers of governance and civilian life. Moreover, just prior to these events, Israel had also “pre-emptively” attacked various targets in southern Lebanon, where the number of casualties has yet to be determined.

Tragically, the cycle of violence has expanded with terrifying speed. In the hours following, Iran launched a widespread reprisal, with missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. military assets across the Gulf—striking installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan-Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar. Sirens also blared across the Holy Land, warning of incoming missiles from Iran. Suddenly, our people from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf find themselves once again huddled in shelters, fearing for their lives as the shadow of a total regional war looms over us.

These developments strike at the very soul of our Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East. Every single nation now engaged in this combat, and those bearing the brunt of the retaliatory strikes, resides within our ecclesiastical boundaries. Our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Iran are currently enduring the terror of aerial bombardment; our members in the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf are witnessing the arrival of war at their doorsteps; and our faithful in the Diocese of Jerusalem—extending across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—face an unprecedented threat of military escalation.

In the face of such overwhelming force, we recall the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Today, that calling feels heavier than ever before. When the “spirit of fear” threatens to consume our hearts, we must anchor ourselves in the “spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).

First, I call upon the global Church to join us in urgent, unceasing prayer. We implore God to protect the innocent—the mothers, the children, and the elderly—who are caught in the crossfire of this “Operation Epic Fury” and the subsequent “crushing responses.” We pray specifically for a “sound mind” for the leaders of the United States, Israel, and Iran, that they might recognize the futility of this bloodshed and turn back from the precipice of a global catastrophe.

Second, we must offer each other the sanctuary of Christian love. I therefore urge our clergy and laity to be beacons of comfort. In a time of “regime change” rhetoric and military ultimatums, let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor 8:1), for our hope is not in the strength of armadas or missile shields, but in the Prince of Peace.

Finally, we must remain “Bridge Builders.” Even as diplomatic windows seem to slam shut, the Church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether they be in Tehran, Tel Aviv, or the military bases of the Gulf. I extend an urgent invitation to the wider Anglican Communion and all people of goodwill: Intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great. We remain “battered and bruised, but not defeated.” May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

In Christ,

The Most Reverend Dr. Hosam E. Naoum
Primate and President Bishop
The Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East

As we begin the season of Lent, we send greetings and ask for Blessings upon our Muslim friends and neighbours, entering the holy month of Ramadan.

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The work of the clinic is the result of a longstanding interfaith humanitarian partnership between the Diocese and the Ministry of Health in Aden.

Ras Morbat offers life-changing eye treatments where the local health system faces total collapse due to chronic underfunding; where the daily electricity supply is never guaranteed; and where there is constant political instability and potential for war.

Its patients are the poorest and most vulnerable in Aden, including internally displaced people and refugees.

As we marked the start of Lent with our Ash Wednesday service and the Imposition of Ashes, Fr Alec reminded us of Pope Leo’s message for Lent 2026.
The Pope urged us all to listen more closely to God and others – and to “disarm” our language by fasting from words that wound.

In this year of Jubilee, Bishop Sean invites the people of the Diocese to come together for monthly online services of Evening Prayer celebrating God’s blessings together in Christ.
Services will be held on the third Tuesday of each month.

Everyone is most welcome to join prayers tomorrow – 17 February 2026 6pm Cyprus time for the next of these services, led by Sneha Jeyaseelan (Ordinand: St Andrew Abu Dhabi).

For Zoom link and order of service, please visit https://www.cypgulf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Diocesan-monthly-Evening-Prayer-2026-1.pdf

Evening Prayers for the months to come will be held at 6pm Cyprus time as follows:

17 March 2026 – Led by Bishop Sean
21 April 2026 – Led by Stanley Murthoti (Ordinand: Church of the Epiphany, Doha)
19 May 2026 – Led by Revd Maria Evangelou (Deacon: St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia)
16 June 2026 – Led by Sinan Hanna (Ordinand: St George’s, Baghdad)
21 July 2026 – Led by Revd Lesley Carr (Distinctive Deacon: Anglican Church of Paphos)
18 August 2026 – Led by Revd Henry Ikediego (Deacon: St Mark’s, Famagusta)
15 September 2026 – Led by Revd Rob Jones (Distinctive Deacon: St Christopher’s Cathedral, Bahrain)
20 October 2026 – Led by Beulah Miller (Lay Minister-in-Training: St Andrew’s, Abu Dhabi)
17 November 2026 – Led by Revd Christine Mbona (Associate Priest: St Paul’s, Kuwait)

MUSIC WEEK IS COMING – save the date!
In aid of
Tulips/Help Those With Cancer Association

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Ash Wednesday Service
10.30 Wednesday 18th February
Everyone is most welcome.

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Our Diocesan Synod was held in Bahrain this year and was a very special event.
Celebrating the past 50 years and very much looking to the future, Synod took place in an atmosphere of warm hospitality, friendship, unity and loving support.

Full reports of each day’s events – and more photos – are in the Diocesan website.

Here is a shorter report for St Andrew’s
Diocesan Synod 2026 – Parish Report