sermon news

Sermon for Epiphany 3, Conversion of St Paul, – 24th January 2021:Acts 9, 1-22; Matthew 19, 27-30

Fr Leonard Doolan – St Paul’s Athens

January 25th is the date on which the church universally celebrates the famous ‘conversion’ of St. Paul. Today is close enough to that for us to bring that celebration forward by 24 hours.

This date is one of two in the year when churches dedicated to St. Paul can celebrate their Patronal Festival, or a ‘name day’. The other is when the Blessed Apostle is linked with his fellow Roman martyr, the Apostle St. Peter. That is June 29th.

Is it too much to hope that on the Sunday nearest to 29th June, St. Paul’s Athens might celebrate our Patron, gathered together in church for worship, followed by a party outside in the church garden? Who would have thought that something we have taken for granted for so long, would be so much longed for? Let’s wait and see.

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St Paul’s Church Council Meeting

St. Paul’s Church Council will meet via Zoom on Saturday 23rd January at 10.30 a.m. Items discussed will include a Covid 19 update, Financial Report, Environment, Safeguarding and “Breathing Life” (a report and action paper from Diocesan Synod on the subject of Racial Justice and its application to us).

Our Council Officers for 2021-22 are:

Senior Chaplain and Chairperson – the Rev. Canon Leonard Doolan

Assistant Chaplain and Refugee Response Facilitator – Deacon Christine Saccalis

Churchwardens – Trevor Kamuzonde and Lynn Stavrou

Hon. Secretary – Jean Mertzanakis

Hon. Treasurer – Nelly Paraskevopoulou

Assistant Treasurer – Noelle Barkshire

Safeguarding Officer – Lynn Stavrou

Matilda Amarty

Banji Ipinsokan

Lesley Paschalakis

Sue Stephos

 

Co-optees for one year – Alice Karanja and Angelos Palioudakis

Congregation member Linda Paparsenos continues as Local Environment Officer.

sermon news

Sermon Preached in Athens for the 2nd Sunday of the Epiphany, 17th January 2020: Revelation 5, 1-10; John 1, 43-end.

Fr Leonard W Doolan

 

His name is Oliver. His wife was born in Thessaloniki, but they live in Jerusalem, because Oliver is an Israeli citizen.

Oliver took our group, as our tour guide, to Capernaum beside the Sea of Galilee. Beside the archaeological site of Capernaum were some benches. In the heat of the day it was good to get into the shade, because the benches were under the magnificent spreading branches of a tree. I can’t remember what kind of tree it is, but maybe it was a plane tree. I don’t think it was a fig.

As always we waited with anticipation for his commentary on what we were experiencing. We had listened to his description of the remains of Capernaum; the little streets and houses. It had been, as always, a full and inspiring commentary. So what was left? As we sat there in the shade of the tree Oliver started to illustrate for us a passage of scripture that is not particularly memorable compared to some of the best loved parables and images of the New Testament.

He told us about someone called Nathaniel; the same Nathaniel mentioned in our gospel this morning. Jesus compliments Nathaniel who says to Jesus, ‘Where did you get to know me?’ Somewhat enigmatically Jesus replies ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ What might we understand from this?

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Bible Study Blog

Zoom Service 2nd Sunday after Epiphany – 17th January 2021

 

The deacon then welcomes the people of God and the assistant leads us into Confession.

The assistant leads us into a short period of silence, followed by Confession.

 Assistant:   God be gracious to us and bless us, and make your face to shine upon us:

Kyrie eleison

All:              Kyrie eleison

Assistant:   May your ways be known on the earth, your saving power among the nations

                    Christe eleison

All:              Christe eleison

Assistant:   You, Lord, have made known your salvation, and reveal your justice in the sight of the nations:

                    Kyrie eleison

All:              Kyrie eleison

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sermon news

Sermon preached for 1st Sunday after Epiphany – The Baptism of Christ: Mark 1, 4-11

Fr Leonard Doolan

 

Some films jump backwards and forwards in time. Occasionally the viewer is assisted by the director – a prompt will come up on the screen saying  things like ‘6 months before’ or ’30 years later ‘ or if it is an American film, which they usually are, you are given a location as well, like, ’10 years previously in Sparta, Greece’ as if Sparta could be anywhere else but Greece! But I forgot, there is a Sparta in Tennessee. But surely London can only be in the UK, so ‘London, England, is one piece of information too much.

On the other hand some films jump backwards and forwards with no helpful directions – to show someone as an adolescent, or a pivotal event in someone’s life as they were growing up – or the influence of a mother or father. A classic example of this is Mama Mia, Here we go again! I hardly dare to admit that I have watched it! Films like these just move from one time zone or place with smooth, unannounced continuity, and it’s our job as the viewer to keep up with it. This requires quite a quick mind, and a dose of imagination. I’m not so quick witted so often get confused until the penny drops.

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Rowan Williams Blog

Rowan Williams – Meeting God in Paul

 

Study Book for the 2021 Lent Study Group from Athens.  Copies on sale from Fr Leonard for Athens participants – cost €10,00.

 

Fridays in Lent: February 19th, 26th, March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

 

Time 1900 hrs.  This Study season is on ZOOM.  Log-in details will be published on the website at a later date.  Maximum 12 members only.

Click here for the readings

 

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The Order for Evening Prayer Daily throughout the year

This or some other passage of scripture:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John 1.8-9

DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me:

A general Confession to be said of the whole Congregation after the Minister.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done, And there is no health in us: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders; Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults, Restore thou them that are penitent, According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord: And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

The Absolution or Remission of sins to be pronounced by the Priest alone;

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him, which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Baptism of Christ Blog

Zoom Service for the Baptism of Christ: 10th January 2021

 

Deacon:   The grace of God has dawned upon the world through our Saviour Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself for us to purify a people as his own.

All:            Amen. Lord have mercy.

 

The deacon leads us into a short period of silence, followed by Confession.

 

Deacon:   God be gracious to us and bless us, and make your face to shine upon us:

Kyrie eleison

All:            Kyrie eleison

Deacon:   May your ways be known on the earth, your saving power among the nations

                  Christe eleison

All:            Christe eleison

Deacon:   You, Lord, have made known your salvation, and reveal your justice in the sight of the nations:

                  Kyrie eleison

All:            Kyrie eleison

 

Priest:   May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.   Amen.

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