Poppy Blog

A service for Remembrance Sunday – 14th November 2021 – St Paul’s Athens and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, Alimos

Welcome to our worship on this Remembrance Sunday. A particular welcome to His Excellency Matthew Lodge, British Ambassador, and Captain Alex Bush, Defence Attache. This Worship is led by The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan, Senior Chaplain, who is also the preacher. There is a Noon ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Alimos.

 

Priest:      Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you

All:            and also with you.

Priest:      O Lord, open our lips

All:            and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Priest:      Give us the joy of your saving help

All:            and sustain us with your life-giving Spirit.

 

Hymn:    

1 God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble,

and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
though swirling floods are raging,

God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

 

2 There is a flowing river
within God’s holy city;
God is in the midst of her-
she shall not be moved!
God’s help is swiftly given,
thrones vanish at his presence-
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

3 Come, see the works of our maker,
learn of his deeds all-powerful:
wars will cease across the world
when he shatters the spear!
Be still and know your creator,
uplift him in the nations-
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!                       After Psalm 46, Richard Bewes (born 1934)

© Richard Bewes/Jubilate Hymns
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Bazar poster Blog English

The Great St Paul’s Christmas Bazaar is back!

After a Hiatus of two years St Paul’s famous Christmas Bazaar is back at a new venue.  On 5th December 2021 in the Amphitheatre foyer of the Athens War Museum from 11.00 hrs – 16.30 hrs with many of our usual stalls available to purchase your Christmas Gifts:  Christmas cakes,  Mince pies,  Christmas crackers, Handmade gifts, Books, Jewellery, Clothing, Preserves, DVD`s and lots lots more!

Maybe relax for awhile and enjoy a lovely Irish coffee, a glass of wine, a cup of tea or coffee and something to eat from our cake/sandwich stall.

Don`t forget to try your luck at our Christmas raffle.
Bring the kiddies along to see Father Christmas.
Spread the word, bring family and friends!

Hoping to see you there for a wonderful day out after so long.

PLEASE NOTE COVID UPDATE:   Proof of Vaccination (Certificate) must be shown to gain entry to the museum.

 

Call out for help!
Preparations for the Christmas Bazaar have started and we appeal to anyone who has in the past, or who would like to contribute for the first time, to donate food for the Food Stall. If you can help in any way, we would love to hear from you.
We cannot serve hot food at the venue, so we need sandwiches, pastry goods, cakes, tarts, puddings etc. They must be individually wrapped and clearly marked with ingredients. We don’t want to sell cheese pies, if they are apple!
Email lynnedoolan@hotmail.co.uk or anglican@otenet.gr
Thank you so much.
sermon news

Sermon for the Third Sunday before Advent – 7th November 2021: Jonah 3, 1-5, 10; Hebrews 9, 24-end; Mark 1, 14-20

Fr Leonard Doolan – St Paul’s Athens

 

Sunday 14th Nov: Remembrance Sunday.

 Sunday 5th Dec: Christmas Bazaar – 11.00-16.30

 at the foyer of the War Museum Amphitheatre)

 

Few bible stories are more vivid than that of Jonah. Much loved by Sunday School teachers, and their children, the graphic details of Jonah and his encounter with the whale enables many drawing, cutting and sticking, and story – telling activities. There are elements of mythological story telling in the details of Jonah’s encounter with a huge sea-beast.

All well and good – but what is the story of Jonah actually about. There is more to it than just the memorable episode much loved of children – and equally loved by adults.

The story is really an exercise in refusing to respond to God’s call. Each of us is made in the image of God – hence God is a God of unity in diversity – and each of us is called by God to become who we truly are, by God’s grace. In baptism we are each commissioned into ministry as members of the Body of Christ, and some will go on to respond positively to that call, and others will obtusely stand against it, dispassionately ignorant of who God calls them to become, or even being defiant.

The lesson from Jonah is about defiance, conversion, and obedience. Initially Jonah is called to witness to divine truth in the great city of Nineveh. The remains of this ancient city are on the borders of Mosul in the modern state of Iraq. Jonah is having none of this. He turns his back on God and runs away. While sailing to Tarshish, one of the ancient trade sea routes to Spain, a great storm blows up and when the sailors realize why Jonah is a travelling companion they throw him overboard.

It is at this point that the Sunday School teachers chuckle with delight. Jonah is swallowed by a large fish. Get out your scissors, coloured pencils, and felt tips, and get creative!

The episode allows for rich allegory – especially for those of us who know the Christian narrative. Indeed some four hundred years after the writing of the Book of Jonah, when the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth ask for signs, Jesus himself cross-references them to the story of Jonah in the sea creatures belly – an allegorical reference to the three days that Christ would himself spend in the tomb after his death, and ‘out of the belly of Sheol [or hell] I cried, and you heard my voice.’ (Jonah 2, 1)

Jonah’s predicament was caused by him not responding to God’s calling; he was disobedient. Mercifully the sea creature was more obedient, for the Lord speaks to the fish and he is spewed out on to dry land. This whole alarming incident was the crucible in which Jonah’s faithlessness is turned into faithful obedience.  His witness to the population of the huge city is successful – the people repent of their ways, and God spares their city.

The ending of this strange story, whose central activity prefigures so easily the days between cross and empty tomb, ends rather abruptly and obliquely. Is the story complete? Is a real ending missing? Who knows, but read the whole of this short book and you will see what I mean.

Jesus has rather more success on his mission of calling people into his service. The gospel tells us in just a matter of a couple of sentences how four key players respond to his call. Jesus is fishing among fishermen for ‘fishers of men’. From their nets he invites Simon (better known to us as Peter), and Andrew, and James, and John. In just one fishing trip Jesus hooks a third of his apostolic catch – 4 out of the twelve we call the apostles.

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Trinity 10

Service for the Third Sunday before Advent – 7th November 2021

St Paul’s Athens

 

Fr. Leonard will preside and preach. The deacon is Deacon Christine.

Please ensure that you are 1.5metres distant unless you are from the same household. Masks and hand cleansing are mandatory in church and as you move around in the garden.

 

Opening Hymn: 463  (2nd tune)  Thine for ever!

 

Priest:                In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All:                     Amen.

Priest:                The Lord be with you

All:                      and also with you

 

The presiding priest welcomes the congregation and invites the deacon to lead us into a short time of silence and stillness

 

Deacon:          Your raise the dead to life in the spirit.

Kyrie eleison             

     All:                 Kyrie eleison

     Deacon:          You bring pardon and peace to the broken in spirit.

                              Christe eleison         

     All:                 Christe eleison

Deacon:          You make one by your Spirit the torn and divided.

                              Kyrie eleison             

     All:                 Kyrie eleison

 

Priest:   Almighty God, who forgives all those who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,  and keep you in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord .   Amen.

 

Gloria: (Sung) Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, the glory of God the Father. Amen, Amen.

 

Collect:  Let us pray     (Collect of the Day) 

God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

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sermon news

Sermon preached for All Saints Sunday – 31st October 2021

Deacon Chris Saccali – St Paul’s Athens

 

May I speak in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit AMEN

In one of his daily reflections Pope Francis said recently: ‘ Allow me to say we are all saints then we become sinners but fundamentally we are all saints.’ Now how hard is that to take on board not only for ourselves but for others. Let me repeat it:

Recently, there was a meeting of nowadays saints at Archdeaconry Synod in Corfu. We had failed to gather last year and some clergy and lay representatives were or felt unable to attend earlier in the month, but about 35 of us met face to face, albeit keeping health and safety precautions. And what a joy it was to be together again. That joyous feeling was palpable. It was our Archdeacon Leslie’s first Synod of the East but he had come almost directly from the Nordic and Baltic Synod. Bishop Robert and his wife Helen had come from the Northern countries’ Synod previously held in Belgium. A cluster of synods and saints whose members lay and clergy keep the Diocese in Europe churches going especially in these strange times we are living in.

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KARTA MEGALI

HELP US FILL THE CHRISTMAS SKY WITH STARS!

The star of Bethlehem guided the Magi to a humble stable and now you can have your very own star to shine on the manger where baby Jesus lies. Every donation will add a star to our Nativity Scene, to symbolize the eternal light of Christmas and celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Watch the sky fill with stars on our Facebook Page  and on our website.

 

Donations can be made in several ways:
Bank Transfer – THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN GREECE, ST PAUL’S, ATHENS
BANK: Bank of Piraeus
IBAN: GR82 0172 0500 0050 5008 6327 479
SWIFT CODE: PIRB GRAA
(Reference “STAR”)
(including fee except for inter-Piraeus Bank)
(reference “STAR”)
Please make sure you include your name, email address and should you wish your donation to remain anonymous please add the word “ANON” next to the reference

Your star will help support the church and those in need in these difficult times. Join us in love and thanksgiving as we prepare to welcome the Christ Child into the world.

Harvest_festival_1_1100

ST. PAUL’S HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE KOKOTOS VINEYARD IN STAMATA

 

On a sunny Sunday, the 24th of October, the congregation and friends of St. Paul’s met at the beautiful vineyard of the Kokotos family located outside the village of Stamata north of Athens. Father Leonard, Father Bjorn and Deacon Christine led our worship in the marquee with views over the garden and the distant hills and Father Leonard’s sermon focused on the distortion of God’s creation by mankind and the gap between the everyday life of so many of us and His creation – we have become consumers who have lost touch with farmers, agricultural workers, shepherds and all those who work the land that provides us with our food. The task of ‘greening’ is a huge one but it is the aim of our Diocese, the Diocese in Europe, to become carbon neutral by 2030 and, if each one of us does just a couple of ‘small things’, this can be achieved.  For our intercession prayers, Lynn Doolan gave us each a paper fish on which to write a short prayer. These were then ‘caught’ in a net and displayed for everyone to read – a lovely idea. The service was followed by a wine-tasting outside the tiny chapel of Αγ. Γιωργη τον Μεθυστη or St. George the Intoxicated, a Saint unknown to most of us but well-known in Greece as the Saint of the wine harvest.

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Bishop’s Advent Appeal for European Climate Disaster Relief 2021

The Bishop in Europe:

The Right Reverend Dr. Robert Innes

 

Climate change is probably the biggest single issue facing humanity at present and into the future. When I speak to Anglican colleagues from around the world, I hear of its impacts in everything from threatened islands in Polynesia to desertification in sub-Saharan Africa. But this last summer, we have been forcibly reminded that climate change is a global phenomenon that visits our own doorstep in Europe: fires have taken hold in Greece, Spain and Turkey; there has been severe and fatal flooding in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Our chaplain in Liège, Revd Guy Diakiese, was among those pushing water and mud out of the living-rooms of neighbours.

 

The root causes of climate change are now generally acknowledged to be the increase in greenhouse gases generated mainly by the human burning of carbon. There is pressure worldwide to reduce use of fossil views and stabilise temperature rises, and this is what COP26 in Glasgow is about. But as well as addressing the causes we also need to address the effects of rising temperature, as seen in more and more extreme weather events. Very high rates of rainfall and very high temperatures have a devastating impact on the wellbeing of people and property, as we have seen in our corner of the world. The image is of the town of Bad Neuenahr in the Rhineland.

 

So my Advent Appeal this year will be focused on assisting agencies that are working in these parts of Europe, as they bring support to those who are affected by man-made climate change.

 

Many of us will know the work of Caritas International, the Roman Catholic agency that sustains many varieties of Christian relief and support across the world; their national agencies in Spain and Italy will assist with disaster relief.

 

Click here to read the full text of Bishop Robert’s Appeal

 

 

All Saints

Service for All Saints Sunday – 31st October 2021

St Paul’s Athens

 

Welcome to St. Paul’s. If you are visiting, or here for the first time.

 

Presiding Priest: The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan  

Deacon & preacher: The Revd. Deacon Christine Saccali

 

Entrance Hymn    148  The God of Abraham praise
Priest:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

All:        Amen.                                                                                                            

 Priest:  The Lord be with you

All:         And also with you

 

Words by Jonny Baker, taken from the book: ‘The Hospitality of God’ by Michael Perham

Deacon:           All are invited, all are included

All are made welcome, none are excluded

This is the table of Christ

Come if you’re young, come if you’re old

Come if you’re broken, come if you’re whole

Come if you’re weary of the trials of life

This is the table of Christ.

 

Introduction The priest welcomes everyone and introduces the service

 

Confession

There will be a short moment of silence as we bring to mind our wrongdoings

 

Deacon:           Lord, you are gracious and compassionate:

Lord, have mercy.

All:                  Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:           You are loving to all and your mercy is over all your creation:

Christ, have mercy.

All:                  Christ, have mercy.

 

Deacon:           Your faithful servants bless your name and speak of your glory:

Lord, have mercy.

All:                   Lord, have mercy.

 

Absolution: Almighty God, who forgives all those who are truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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