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Minutes of Council Meeting held on 9th July 2022

ST PAUL’S 380TH COUNCIL MEETING – 9TH JULY 2022

Due to the summer break and the necessity to postpone the September meeting, these minutes were signed as a correct record of proceedings by Father Leonard on 1st October.

  • Lynn Stavrou was appointed vice-Chairperson until the 2023 APCM and a possible co-option to council was under consideration (co-options last for one year only, during which co-optees can acquaint themselves with the workings of the Church Council; during that time they have the right to vote).
  • A letter of thanks for our support of the Diocesan Common Fund (for assisting churches throughout the Diocese) had been received from Bishop Robert;
  • Lynne Doolan’s letter regarding children’s resources was discussed – she and Father Leonard would bring Children’s Bibles from the UK in July and a donation of 500 Euros had been received from a visitor.
  • Following the Jubilee Bazaar it was good to learn that the deficit had decreased and requests for concert bookings were expected after the summer; fees for all services requested at St. Paul’s and elsewhere would be increased after several years commencing from 1st September, with regular reviews.
  • Guarding the church gate on Sundays should concern all members of the congregation, not only those assigned to this duty; the reconvening of Sunday School in September would require a second person (with safeguarding certification – available online) to assist Lynne Doolan; Sunday School could not take place in the Crypt as there was no second exit point;
  • A case of unruly behaviour at the Jubilee Bazaar had been dealt with and a threat had been made to Church warden Trevor when requesting to see vaccination certificates – both incidents had been officially recorded. The Bazaar and the concert of traditional English music by the Athens Singers had been a great success; more large umbrellas would be purchased for similar events; book sales continue to do well; a combined book launch of Father Leonard’s “Opening the Doors” and wine-tasting would be arranged at Ag. Filothei, an Ottoman-era house in Plaka; books would be sold at the Harvest Festival. Matilda and Clara were thanked for assisting at the Patronal Festival;
  • Work on St. Paul’s newsletter was progressing and would be further discussed at the September Council meeting;
  • Churchwarden Trevor would price the purchase of a frame for the mulberry tree;
  • problems with the air-conditioning system would be addressed;
  • Organist/ Concert Organiser Christina was thanked for her work and her proposals regarding church hire fees; an offer of payment for the rebinding of hymn books was gratefully acknowledged and some of the hymnals used by the choir would also be restored.

Jean Mertzanakis (Hon. Secretary)

 

Liturgy 30:08:2020

Service for the Last Sunday after Trinity – 23rd October 2022

Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens.  Please note that the church has a POS facility. Drinking water is always available at the back of the church, and bottles for sale. Welcome to The Revd. Gary Grady from the South Cheltenham Team, and Area Dean of Cheltenham. He comes with the Cantores choir from Cheltenham. Fr. Gary will preside and preach. Nelly Paraskevopoulou is assisting. Fr. Leonard and Deacon Christine are in Prague for the Archdeaconry Synod.

 

Introit:    If ye love me  (Thomas Tallis)

 

Entrance Hymn   427  O praise ye the Lord

 

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 priest then informally welcomes the people of God and leads us into Confession.

 

Nelly: We run the race set before us, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, bringing them to Jesus in penitence and faith.                            (A short period of stillness and silence)

 

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

Kyrie eleison              All: Kyrie eleison

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

                           Christe eleison          All: Christe eleison

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

                           Kyrie eleison             All:  Kyrie eleison

 

Absolution: Almighty God, who forgives all 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.

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Harvest Festival is celebrated by the Anglican Church in Greece

Last Sunday The Anglican Church in Greece celebrated their Harvest Festivals in two locations 360km apart!

 

St Paul’s Anglican Church Athens travelled up by bus to the Winery and Vineyard of the Kokotos Estate where we were guests of our old friends Anne Kokotos & her Family.  Surrounded by vineyards and fruits of the harvest, we held our service of thanksgiving for the Harvest.  After the service there was an opportunity to taste and purchase a selection of wines before making our way down through the beautiful grounds to the wonderful marquee where a delicious buffet lunch awaited us. Afterwards there was music and entertainment and everyone got on the floor and danced. At the end of the afternoon a happy but tired  congregation made their way back to the bus for the journey back to Athens.

Our thanks to Anne Kokotos and her family for their generous hospitality and to the pupils of Byron School for giving up their Sunday to come and assist with serving the buffet lunch.

 

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Happy New Year

Community Connect Coffee Morning

community_connect_athens_350X230

COMMUNITY CONNECT

ATHENS

Invites you to join us at our First Coffee Morning of the year

 on Thursday 12th January from 11.00am to 1.00pm

 At The Swedish Centre, Sortiros 7,Plaka

We will be cutting the Vasilopita

and we will also have Sheila G Bardas talking about her book ‘Winter Swimmers Club’

 on sale there will be

Books, Good quality 2nd hand clothing,

Preserves & Handmade Greeting cards

Mini Bingo & Lucky Chair.

Community Connect Athens

Is now on the second Thursday every month

Contact Anne: 6938973623 or 2105129261

SEE YOU THERE!

Proceeds to the Anglican Church Athens and nominated Charities.

 

 

Choir

Cantores Chamber Choir Saturday 22nd October 2022

CANTORES CHAMBER CHOIR

                                 Saturday 22th October 2022, 19:00

         at St Paul’s Anglican Church, 27 Filellinon street, Syntagma, Athens

Cantores Chamber Choir is a choir of 30 dedicated singers formed in 1991 and based at the Cotswolds, England, an area of outstanding natural beauty, as designated in 1966 , with the unique golden-coloured Cotswold stone.

The choir perform a cappella three programme a year around the Cotswolds . Occasionally  it is accompanied by an organ or a small orchestra. In 2018 the choir had a successful trip to Belgium, where they performed at the Saint Jakobskerk, Brugge.

The choir loves to sing old music but also enjoys the challenge of new music. In its Athenian visit, the choir is going to present a programme of  western classical music, mostly a cappella , under the  musical direction of Simon Harper.

Organized by: CANTORES CHAMBER CHOIR

ENTRANCE FREE – RETIRING COLLECTION

Harvest Blog 2021

Harvest Festival 9th October 2022

Kokotos Winery Athens

Opening hymn:

We plough the fields, and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand:
he sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes, and the sunshine,
and soft, refreshing rain.

Refrain:
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
for all his love.

2 He only is the maker
of all things near and far;
he paints the wayside flower,
he lights the evening star;
the winds and waves obey him,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us, his children,
he gives our daily bread. [Refrain]

3 We thank thee then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
the seed-time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food.
Accept the gifts we offer
for all thy love imparts,
and, what thou most desirest,
our humble, thankful hearts. [Refrain]

 

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

All:  and also with you.

 

The priest welcomes everyone to the liturgy. The deacon then leads the Confession

 

Deacon: God’s whole creation groans.  We confess our sin in penitence and faith.

 

Deacon: Consider the birds of the air; they do not sow or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Lord have mercy.

All: Lord have mercy

Deacon: Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil or spin, yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Christ have mercy.

All: Christ have mercy

Deacon: How little faith we have. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Lord have mercy.

All: Christ have mercy.

The priest then pronounces the words of Absolution.

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Liturgy 30:08:2020

Service for the 16th Sunday after Trinity – 2nd October 2022

Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens.  Please note that the church has a POS facility. Drinking water is always available at the back of the church, and bottles for sale.  Fr. Leonard will preside and preach. The deacon is Deacon Christine. There is coffee available in the garden after the Liturgy.

 

Entrance Hymn   

 

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 priest then informally welcomes the people of God and leads us into Confession.

 

Deacon: We run the race set before us, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, bringing them to Jesus in penitence and faith.                            (A short period of stillness and silence)

 

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

 

Absolution: Almighty God, who forgives all 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.

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Anglican Church Athens Harvest Festival

St Paul’s Harvest Festival at Kokotos Vineyard Sunday 9th October 2022

Join us on Sunday 9th October to celebrate the Harvest in the beautiful surroundings of the Kokotos Estate, 1 Ktima G. Kokotou, Stamata, 145 75.

 

11 a.m. Harvest Eucharist Service.

Everyone welcome – gifts of dried or tinned goods for the Sisters of Mercy gratefully received.

 

12.30 p.m. Wine tasting

With the opportunity to purchase some of the delicious wines produced by the estate.

 

1.30 p.m. onwards Harvest Lunch.

 

Tickets

€15 Adults / €8 Children (4-10 years) / €40 Family (2 adults / 2 children 4-10)

 

Transport

To book seats on the St. Paul’s coach contact Lynn Stavrou on 211 183 8414 / 6938 325 088.  Email: lynnstav@gmail.com

Please note that numbers are limited so early booking is advised.

 

For event tickets and further information contact :

Lynn Stavrou (see above) OR Shirley Poulakis – 210 934 2830 / 6932 924 849.

Liturgy 30:08:2020

Service for the 15th Sunday afterTrinity – 25th September 2022

Welcome to St. Paul’s Athens especially if you are here for the first time or visiting Athens.  Please note that the church has a POS facility. Drinking water is always available at the back of the church, and bottles for sale.  Fr. Leonard will preside and preach. The deacon is Deacon Christine. There is coffee available in the garden after the Liturgy.

Entrance Hymn    148  The God of Abram  (omit * verses)

 

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 priest then informally welcomes the people of God and leads us into Confession.

 

Deacon: We run the race set before us, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, bringing them to Jesus in penitence and faith.                            (A short period of stillness and silence)

 

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

 

Absolution: Almighty God, who forgives all 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.

 

GloriaGlory to God in the highest, 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 sin of the world: have mercy on us, you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive, 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 Father. Amen

 

Collect:  Let us pray    (remain standing as the priest prays the Collect of the Day) 

Lord God, defend your Church from all false teaching and give to your people knowledge of your truth, that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen.

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