Bishop Sean is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Mark Derry as Archdeacon in the Gulf. Revd Mark, who is Senior Priest at Church of the Epiphany in Doha, replaces the Reverend Dr Michael Mbona, whose term ended on 30 April 2025.

Bishop Sean extends heartfelt gratitude to Fr Michael for his dedicated and prayerful service to the clergy and people of the Gulf archdeaconry, and to the wider Diocese.

Fr Mark will begin his role as Archdeacon in the Gulf from 16 May 2025—the date of his collation at Church of the Epiphany. Mark is also currently serving as president of the Christian Churches Steering Committee in Qatar, representing all churches in the Doha Religious Complex.

Ordained in 2003, Mark previously served in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth in South Africa, including posts as Bishop’s Executive Officer, Dean of the Diocese and Vicar General, Archdeacon and Canon on Bishop’s Chapter, and rector of St Francis Xavier and St John’s Anglican churches. He has a BTh from TEEC, a postgraduate degree in Biblical Archaeology (UNISA) and a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality (UFS).

Mark is married to Debbie and they have three adult children, Kate, Matthew and Meghan.

Mark assisted in leading worship at St Andrew’s, Kyrenia last August, when he visited us as one of the group leaders of the Provincial Summer School held in Famagusta.

Bishop Sean and the Cathedral Council warmly invite members and friends of St Andrew’s to the Service of Collation of the new Archdeacon in Cyprus, The Reverend Paul Carr, which will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia on Saturday 24th May at 12 noon.

The service will also include the Ordination to the Diaconate of Maria Evangelou of Nicosia and will be followed by refreshments in the Cathedral Hall.

For catering purposes, please let Fr Alec or one of the Wardens know if you plan to attend.

A great turnout for Easter celebration at St. Andrew’s – standing room only!

The Ecumenical Procession of the Way of the Cross on Good Friday in the Old City of Jerusalem.

St George’s College, Jerusalem, said:

“Walking the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem is always deeply meaningful but today’s was especially intense.
The mood of the days we are currently enduring means that every day seems like Good Friday and as a result the liturgy for the Stations hit home hard. “

Please continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Jerusalem and for all Christians and their Muslim neighbours in the Holy Land this Easter.

This is a copy of the 12th-century icon of the Crucifixion from St Catherine’s Monastery at Mt Sinai. A feature of Orthodox iconography is that while the suffering of our Lord is depicted, that suffering is surrounded by golden glory, inviting us to hold the cross in the light of the resurrection. Despite what the crucifixion might have looked like to those who were present on that first Good Friday, there was a bigger picture, a higher purpose, and the glory of the resurrection about to be revealed.

I have had the great honour of being a pilgrim in Jerusalem during Holy Week as a guest of Archbishop Hosam and in solidarity with the people of the Diocese of Jerusalem. For many people here life must seem like a never-ending Good Friday, and yet I am amazed to find that those who should be most despondent have joy and hope in their lives. They have hope-filled lives because they live in the light of resurrection—they know that with God there is always a bigger picture, a higher authority, and a continued purpose for their lives.

This Easter I invite you to hold the suffering of this world and your own struggles in the light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not—and will never—overcome it.

Praying that you may have a blessed spiritual journey to Easter.

Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!

+Sean

On GOOD FRIDAY, April 18th, the church will be open from 12 noon to 3pm.

There will be a service from 2pm- 3pm.

Worshippers are welcome to come into church for prayer – for as short or as long a time as you wish.

Maundy Thursday Service, with footwashing.
17th April at 7.30 pm

340 years of Bach & Handel were celebrated last night at St Andrew’s with exquisite performances by Lena Stern (violin), Katerina Stern (organ), Maria Semochkina (soprano) and Mark Pichkur (bass).
The concert raised over 20,000TL for Tulips, the ‘help those with cancer’ charity in North Cyprus.
Our thanks to these fabulous musicians and to all who attended.