01/03/2020
In
Sermons & Services
Lent 1, 1 March 2020. Genesis 2, 15-17; 3, 1-7. Matthew 4, 1-11.
Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan – St Paul’s Athens
This is the first Sunday in the holy season of Lent. A season of penitence, of inner examination of the soul, of reading the scriptures more assiduously, and of fasting. The holy season began 4 days ago with the day we call Ash Wednesday. The palm crosses that were blessed on Palm Sunday last year are returned to church, burned and turned into ash. Mixed with a little olive oil the priest then marks out a cross on the foreheads of the faithful. Then there is a slight dilemma.
What is the dilemma? With an ashen cross on the forehead should we then witness to the community that we are at the start of our keeping of Lent? There is much to commend this. However, at the same liturgy in the gospel, Christ condemns those who make a public show of their penitence and fasting with the words, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them” and later in the same passage of St. Matthew, “when you fast put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but your Father who is in secret.’ (Matt. 6, 1; Matt. 6, 16-17).
This is the first Sunday in the holy season of Lent. A season of penitence, of inner examination of the soul, of reading the scriptures more assiduously, and of fasting. The holy season began 4 days ago with the day we call Ash Wednesday. The palm crosses that were blessed on Palm Sunday last year are returned to church, burned and turned into ash. Mixed with a little olive oil the priest then marks out a cross on the foreheads of the faithful. Then there is a slight dilemma.
What is the dilemma? With an ashen cross on the forehead should we then witness to the community that we are at the start of our keeping of Lent? There is much to commend this. However, at the same liturgy in the gospel, Christ condemns those who make a public show of their penitence and fasting with the words, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them” and later in the same passage of St. Matthew, “when you fast put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but your Father who is in secret.’ (Matt. 6, 1; Matt. 6, 16-17).
28/02/2020
In
Announcements
St Paul’s Concert Chorale- John Smedstad, Director
Wednesday 18th March 2020, 19.00
The St Paul’s Concert Chorale is the premiere choral ensemble on the campus of St Paul’s School for Boys, an independent day school located north of Baltimore, MD, USA. The Ensemble is an auditioned male chorus comprised of boys whose ages range from 15 to 18 years old. Past tours included Spain, Morocco, Iceland, Czech Republic and Germany.
Organized by: Inspired Voyager Athens Branch
FREE ENTRANCE
Information
Tel. 210 8951620, 6944474917, e-mail: inspired@inspiredvoyager.com
27/02/2020
In
Announcements
REMI AND THE ROAD
Saturday 14th March 2020, 20.30
The singer Remi & the Road, along with an atmospheric string ensemble, presents a set of Folk – Country – Americana music through his rich discography as well as heroes of the time such as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.
His distinctive and warm voice, combined with melodies travelling from America to the Irish tradition of Folk music at its origins, create an atmospheric night framed by true stories and narratives.
Organized by: Adam Papadopoulou MKO
ENTRANCE BY TICKETS: 12 and 10 euros
Information and tickets presale: Viva.gr
Tel. 13855, 211 7700 000 and 211760 3000
https://www.viva.gr/tickets/
27/02/2020
In
Announcements
CHIMERINI KOLIMVITES REMiSSION by United We Fly
Thursday 12th March 2019, 20.30
After two two hugely successful cycles of the Taste the Music series, United We Fly is releasing REMISSION. A new series of concerts, faithful to the special and exploring aesthetics of the projects created by the company in recent years. It all starts and evolves in the hospitable and beloved place of St. Paul’s evangelical Anglican Church. The REMISSION concert spring season begins on March 12th with Chimerini Kolimvites band. One of the most historic and idiosyncratic gatherings of the Greek music scene, Chimerini Kolimvites, launch the first REMISSION cycle, a few days before their 40th anniversary concert and 55 years since the creation of their original core with I. Papadas K. Sideris and A. Bakirtzis.
Organized by: United We Fly IKE
ENTRANCE BY 2 TICKET ZONES: 25 and 22 Euros
Information: United We Fly: Tel: 2106985340, info@unitedwefly.com
Tickets pre-sale: Viva.gr
Tel. 13855, 211 7700 000 and 211760 3000
27/02/2020
In
Announcements
DUSTBOWL Radio Pepper- Church Sessions 5
Monday 9th Μarch 2020, 20.30
The Greek band will perform songs from their own discography as well as other songs in an folk rock Americana style.
Organized by: Radio Pepper 96.6 FM
ENTRANCE BY INVITATIONS ONLY
Information and invitations: Radio Pepper 96.6 FM
Tel: 213 018 9066 | E-mail: pepper9660@gmail.com
26/02/2020
In
Blog News
Bishop Robert visits the Anglican Church in Greece
The Right Reverend Dr. Robert Innes, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, known to us as Bishop Robert, arrived in Athens on Tuesday 18th February, accompanied by his wife Helen. On the Tuesday evening they attended a reception at the new Swedish Centre in Plaka hosted by Father Bjorn and subsequently visited Holy Trinity, Corfu and St. Andrew’s, Patras.
In Athens they attended a formal dinner for the leaders of several denominations, scholars and academics. This was hosted by H.E. Kate Smith, British Ambassador to Greece. During the visit Bishop Robert met with His Beatitude Geronomis, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, and presented him with a specially commissioned icon of Father Sofronios of Essex who, as a monk from Mount Athos, travelled to England and founded a monastery there. A visit to Hestia Hellas, the centre for migrants and refugees suffering from trauma which is supported by St. Paul’s, also took place.
15/02/2020
In
Blog News
The first Community Connect Coffee Morning of 2020
Wednesday 12th February saw the inauguration of the new Swedish Centre as the venue for our Community Connect coffee mornings. The address is Sotiris 7, Plaka, beside the lovely little Church of the Metamorphosis and very near to St. Paul’s. The building is traditional in many ways, with sturdy wooden staircases between floors and windows with wooden surrounds overlooking Plaka’s streets. About 50 people were present to catch up with news after the Christmas break, celebrate St. Valentine’s Day and enjoy the Vassilopitta, blessed by Father Leonard. As usual, Anne and her helpers did sterling work, setting up in new surroundings and working out what went where. The atmosphere was cosy and welcoming and we once again felt that we were in a little bit of Sweden.
15/02/2020
In
Sermons & Services
Audio Sermon preached at HT Brussels on Sunday 16th February 2020
The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan (Senior Chaplain – Athens, Greece)
15/02/2020
In
Sermons & Services
Sermon Preached at HT Brussels on Sunday 16th Feb 2020: Romans 8, 18-25; Matthew 6, 25-34.
The Revd. Canon Leonard Doolan (Senior Chaplain – Athens, Greece)
Jesus says in the gospel this afternoon. ‘Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” ‘*The reason is because, in Jesus advice, it is the non-believers who strive for these things and God knows we need them. *So what is it we should be worrying about – worry first about the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
It all seems to be a simple message. Yet if you are desperately in need of food, or a drink, or something to wear, especially against a cold February climate in Northern Europe, you would be forgiven for perhaps seeking food drink and a blanket before thinking about more spiritual things, like the Kingdom of God.
We live in a world with many deep and difficult challenges. Many of you might have real challenges in your lives – food, drink, warm clothing, a roof over your head, and the dignity of working for an income rather than begging for it.*
I am the priest in one of Europe’s great city’s – though often if feels as if it is more an eastern city. *Anyway it is in the European Union, and is the first country in Schengen that you arrive at if you have come from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, or if you have come up from East Africa, from Sudan, or Somalia.
The route is mostly through Turkey, and some of the Greek islands are only a few kilometres away from the Turkish coastline – islands like Lesbos, or Samos. *These are tiny islands, and are ill equipped for the many migrants and refugees who find their way into Europe. *They are in search of a better life, or an escape from continual warfare, or political or religious persecution. Many men have had to leave parents, wives, children and businesses behind. Others have nothing left to leave behind.