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.

Bishop Sean and Jenny yesterday arrived in Jerusalem as guests of Archbishop Hosam and his wife, Rafa.
Before he left, Bishop Sean sent out this message to the laity of our Diocese:

Churches in our Diocese have begun Holy Week with Palm Friday services, and so we turn our faces towards Jerusalem and our annual commemoration and celebration of the redeeming passion, death and resurrection of our Lord.

The number and complexity of services that mark the spiritual milestones of this week make it perhaps the busiest, most stressful, but most rewarding week for our churches each year.

I would like to recognise not just the clergy at this time but also the often-overlooked teams of people who open, clean, and prepare our churches and worship spaces for services; our musicians, sound and slide operators, and worship leaders; those who generously offer hospitality through refreshments and meals; and all whose smiling welcome brings to light of Christ’s love to others.

All God’s people have ministries – each of us has a specific role and responsibility in the local Body of Christ that no-one else could do, because they are not us!

Thank you for your ministry to God’s people in our extraordinary Diocese, and wishing you a truly Holy Week.

With my prayers and love
+Sean

Our Lent Bible Study Group on The Nicene Creed concluded on Thursday, by looking at what we understand by ‘The Resurrection of the Dead’. This gave us all a lot to reflect on and ponder.
It has been a pleasure to welcome long-time church members, new church attendees and visitors from different countries and to explore our faith and understanding together.
We look forward to meeting again as a study group in the Autumn.