Service Sheet for Sunday 25th January 2026 – Conversion of St Paul

Celebrant Fr Benjamin Drury

Sung Mass for the Solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul

Processional: 154 (Wellington) A heavenly splendour from on high

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 117

Gradual: 155 (King’s Lynn) We sing the glorious conquest

Offertory: 205 (Westminster Abbey) Christ is made the sure foundation

Communion: 258 (Londonderry Air) O Christ the same

Recessional: 204 (Regent Square) Blessed City, heavenly Salem All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

The chaplaincy is entirely reliant on the goodwill and support of its congregation and visitors; all donations towards its running are, therefore, vital to its ministry and very gratefully received indeed

The setting of the Gloria is at page 559 in the New English Hymnal.

The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562. The setting of the Sanc- tus-Benedictus is on page 567. The setting of the Agnus Dei on page 569

This entire Communion Service was set by John Merbecke in 1550

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (22: 3-16)

Paul said to the people, ‘I am a Jew and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you are today. I even persecuted

this Way to the death, and sent women as well as men to prison in

chains as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify, since they even sent me with letters to their brothers in Damascus. When I set off it was with the intention of bringing prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment.

‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the

ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecut- ing me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.” The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, “Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my com- panions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus.

‘Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and high- ly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, “The God

of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness

before all mankind, testifying to what you have seen and heard.

And now why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking his name.”’

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 117: Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.

O praise the Lord, all you nations,

acclaim him all you peoples! (Response)

Strong is his love for us;

he is faithful for ever. (Response)

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1: 10-13, 17)

I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice. From what Chloe’s people have been telling me, my dear brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean are all these slogans that you have, like: ‘I am for Paul’, ‘I am for Apollos’, ‘I am for Cephas’, ‘I am for Christ.’ Has Christ been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul?

For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last,

says the Lord. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (16: 15-18)

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:

‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

Prayer after communion

O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout

the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may shew forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP Collect; The Conversion of St. Paul)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Wednesday 28th January: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 1st February: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (Candlemas)

Wednesday 4th February: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 8th February: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (5th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Study group & pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin

Community Connect Coffee Morning: 12th February (10:30 a.m.), Apollonos 6)

Quiz Night: 30th January (7:30 p.m.), Apollonos 6.

Shrovetide Book Sale: Saturday, 14th February (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.), church garden.

Saints’ Days in January: 26th January (St. Timothy & St. Titus);

28th January (St. Thomas Aquinas); 30th January (King Charles the Martyr); 31st January (St. John Bosco)

Donate electronically by scanning the QR code

the Church does not receive any funding from the

Church of England or the British Government and is reliant on the goodwill of congregants and visitors. We thank you for your support.

Senior Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury SSC

frbenjamindrury@gmail.com; Home tel.: 210 72 14 906

anglican@otenet.gr

Assistant Chaplain: Deacon Christine Saccali: 697 737 7655

Church of Sweden: Fr. Bjorn Kling: 694 6072428

Facebook @AnglicanAthens                    www.anglicanchurchathens.gr

saintpaulsathens.bsky.social

Service Sheet for Sunday 18th January 2026 – Second Sunday after Epiphany

Celebrant Fr Benjamin Drury

Preacher: Deacon Christine Saccali

Welcome to our Liturgy of Holy Communion (Sung Mass)

Processional: 20 (Puer Nobis Nascitur) From east to west, from shore to shore

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 40

Gradual: 414 (Caithness) O for a closer walk with God

Offertory: 57 (Dundee) The race that long in darkness pined

Communion: 312 (Schutz) Where the appointed sacrifice

Recessional: 349 (Nativity) Come, let us join our cheerful songs

All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

Please remember that the chaplaincy in Athens neither receives funding from the British Government nor from the Church of England.

All donations are, therefore, very gratefully received

The setting of the Gloria is at page 559 in the New English Hymnal.

The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562. The setting of the Sanc- tus-Benedictus is on page 567. The setting of the Agnus Dei on page

569. 569. This entire Communion Service was set by John Merbecke in

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (49: 3, 5-6)

The Lord said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel,

in whom I shall be glorified’;

I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.

And now the Lord has spoken,

he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him,

to gather Israel to him:

‘It is not enough for you to be my servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;

I will make you the light of the nations

so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Psalm 40: Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.

He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God. (Response)

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear.

You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

Instead, here am I. (Response)

In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will.

My God, I delight in your law

in the depth of my heart. (Response)

Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.

My lips I have not sealed;

you know it, O Lord. (Response)

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1: 1-3) I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth, to the

holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

to all who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (1: 29-34)

Glory to you, O Lord.

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he exist- ed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him

to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

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Service Sheet for Sunday 11th January – Baptism of the Lord

Celebrant Fr Benjamin Drury

Welcome to our Liturgy of Holy Communion (Sung Mass)

Processional: 55 (Cruger) Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 29

Gradual: 58 (Solemnis Haec Festivitas) The sinless one to Jordan came

Offertory: 56 (St. Edmund) Songs of thankfulness and praise

Communion: 202 (Grafton) Word supreme, before creation

Recessional: 51 (Redhead No. 46) Hail, thou Source of every blessing

All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

Please remember that the chaplaincy in Athens neither receives funding from the British Government nor from the Church of England. All donations are, therefore, very gratefully received.

The setting of the Gloria is at page 559 in the New English Hymnal.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (42: 1-4, 6-7)

Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations. He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets. He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame. Faithfully he brings true justice; he will neither waver, nor be crushed until true justice is established on earth, for the islands are awaiting his law.

I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right; I have taken you by the hand and formed you; I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Psalm 29: The Lord will bless his people with peace.

O give the Lord, you sons of God, give the Lord glory and power;

give the Lord the glory of his name.

Adore the Lord in his holy court. (Response) The Lord’s voice resounding on the waters,

the Lord on the immensity of waters; the voice of the Lord, full of power,

the voice of the Lord, full of splendour. (Response) The God of glory thunders.

In his temple they all cry: ‘Glory!’

The Lord sat enthroned over the flood;

the Lord sits as king for ever. (Response)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10: 34-38)

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, but

that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.

‘It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ – but

Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.’

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded: ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Alleluia! The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (3: 13-17)

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.

As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and sud- denly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562 in the New English Hymnal. The setting of the Sanctus-Benedictus is on page 567. The setting of the Agnus Dei on page 569. This entire Communion Ser- vice was set by John Merbecke in 1549.

Prayer after Communion:

Nourished with these sacred gifts,

we humbly entreat your mercy, O Lord,

that, faithfully listening to your Only Begotten Son, we may be your children in name and in truth.

Through Christ our Lord.

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people which call upon thee; and grant that they may both

perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer Collect; The First Sunday after the Epiphany)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Wednesday 14th January: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 18th January: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time) Sunday 18th January: 6 p.m.; Choral Evensong (Schola Cantorum) Wednesday 21st January: 10 a.m.; (St. Agnes)

Sunday 25th January: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (The Conversion of St. Paul)

Study group & pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin

Saints’ Days in January (other than those commemorated in church): 20th January (St. Sebastian); 24th January (St. Francis de Sales); 26th January (St. Timothy & St. Titus);  28th January (St.

Thomas Aquinas); 30th January (King Charles the Martyr); 31st January (St. John Bosco)

The illustration on this pew sheet is a detail from a fresco in the Scrovegni chapel, Padua, painted ca. 1305 by Giotto di Bondone.

Donate electronically by scanning the QR code

the Church does not receive any funding from the

Church of England or the British Government and is reliant on the goodwill of congregants and visitors. We thank you for your support.

Priest Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury SSC

frbenjamindrury@gmail.com;

Home tel.: 210 72 14 906

anglican@otenet.grAssistant Chaplain: Deacon Christine Saccali: 697 737 7655

Church of Sweden: Fr. Bjorn Kling: 694 6072428

Facebook @AnglicanAthens                    www.anglicanchurchathens.gr

saintpaulsathens.bsky.social

Service Sheet for Sunday 4th January 2026 – Feast of the Epiphany

Celebrant Fr Benjamin Drury

Welcome to our Liturgy of Holy Communion (Sung Mass)

Processional: 49 (Epiphany) Brightest and best of the sons of the morning

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 72

Gradual: 46 (St. Venantius) Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear

Offertory: 50 (King’s Weston) From the eastern mountains

Communion: 48 (Stuttgart) Bethlehem of noblest cities

Recessional: 52 (Was Lebet) O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness

All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

Please remember that the chaplaincy in Athens neither receives funding from the British Government nor from the Church of

England. All donations are, therefore, very gratefully received.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (60: 1-6)

Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. Above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears.The nations come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness. Lift up your eyes and look round: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away and your daughters being tenderly carried. At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart throbbing and full; since the riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations come to you; camels in throngs will cover you, and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; everyone in Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing the praise of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Psalm 72: All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

O God, give your judgement to the king, to a king’s son your justice,

that he may judge your people in justice

and your poor in right judgement. (Response)

In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.

He shall rule from sea to sea,

from the Great River to earth’s bounds. (Response)

The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts shall pay him tribute.

The kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring him gifts.

Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,

all nations shall serve him.(Response)

For he shall save the poor when they cry and the needy who are helpless.

He will have pity on the weak

and save the lives of the poor. (Response)

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (3: 2-3, 5-6)

You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with

the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was

unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now

share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body,

and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

We saw his star as it rose

and have come to do the Lord homage. Alleluia! The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (2: 1-12)

Glory to you, O Lord.

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose

and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader

who will shepherd my people Israel.’

Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562 in the New English Hymnal.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-be- gotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, that we, which

know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP Collect Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Wednesday 6th January: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 11th January: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (Baptism of the Lord) Wednesday 14th January: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 18th January: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass

Sunday 18th January: 6 p.m.; Choral Evensong (Schola Cantorum)

Community Connect Coffee Morning: Thurs. 8th January (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Apollonos 6)

Study group & pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin

Donate electronically by scanning the QR code

the Church does not receive any funding from the

Church of England or the British Government and is reliant on the goodwill of congregants and visitors. We thank you for your support

Priest Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury SSC

frbenjamindrury@gmail.com;

Home tel.: 210 72 14 906

anglican@otenet.gr

Assistant Chaplain: Deacon Christine Saccali: 697 737 7655

Church of Sweden: Fr. Bjorn Kling: 694 6072428

Facebook @AnglicanAthens                    www.anglicanchurchathens.gr

saintpaulsathens.bsky.social

Recorded Sermon for the feast of Epiphany – 4th January 2026

Fr Leonard Doolan – St Thomas Anglican Church, Crete

Sermon for the feast of Epiphany – 4th January 2026

Fr Leonard Doolan – St Thomas Anglican Church Crete

The Three Kings, as they are commonly referred to, are a popular part of the persona dramatis of the Nativity. Their noted presence is due only to St. Matthew’s gospel. The journey of these kings, wise men, or Magi, represent a piece of gospel material, a pericope, unique to Matthew. Why did St. Luke say nothing of them? There is some overlapping of material in both gospels, of course, and between Luke and Matthew we have traditionally built up our common understandings of the events surrounding the birth of Christ. Did Luke say nothing because it was not a part of the jigsaw puzzle that he possessed? Or was this specific information deliberately omitted by St. Luke? His gospel is characterized by themes of poverty – so maybe some rich guys turning up with the tokens of worldly wealth left Luke feeling uncomfortable? Who knows – and the good news is that I’m not going to try and solve this question.

Whatever the discrepancies and differences in the material used by the gospel writers – a challenge that runs right through the first three of the gospels – today we are reflecting on the travellers who attended the new-born Christ lying in his food trough. In the Liturgical Calendar of the western Church we refer to our celebration as Epiphany and traditionally this is celebrated on January 6^th at that time often referred to as Twelfth Night. (Please don’t try to calculate when Twelfth Night actually is – you will only end up frustrated).

For Orthodox Christian friends who hear this sermon, or read it, a brief word of explanation is needed, and the longer explanation you can check out for yourselves.

On January 6^th, when the western Christians are telling the story of the Wise Men arriving at the house where the Christ-child is laying, the Orthodox Church, in Greece at least, is celebrating the Theophania – the revelation of God, not through star-led chieftans following a star, but in the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. Put simply, this is caused because some Orthodox nations follow the Gregorian Calendar, while others keep to the original Julian Calendar. So it is that Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas 12 days later than the West (and Greece), not for a theological reason, but because of adherence to different calendars.

This difference of date has been used as political statement – such as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church recently deciding to keep Christmas on the Western date, December 25^th, as a clear statement of their distance from the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate. However, enough of that explanation – it is almost more of a mystery than the Word of God becoming Man in Christ Jesus.

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Service Sheet for Sunday 28th December – The Feast of the Holy Family

Celebrant Fr Benjamin Drury

Welcome to our Liturgy of Holy Communion (Sung Mass)

Processional: Sheet (In Dulci Jubilo) Good Christian men, rejoice

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 128

Gradual: 28 (Puer Nobis) Unto us a Boy is born

Offertory: Sheet (Angels From the Realms) Angels from the realms of glory

Communion: Sheet (Humility) See amid the winter’s snow

Recessional: Sheet (Tempus Adest Floridum) Good King Wenceslas All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

Please remember that the chaplaincy in Athens neither receives funding from the British Government nor from the Church of England. All donations are, therefore, very gratefully received.

A reading from Eccesiasticus (3: 2-6, 12-14)

The Lord honours the father in his children,

and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons. Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,

he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune. Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,

he shall be heard on the day when he prays. Long life comes to him who honours his father,

he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.

My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.

Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;

for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Psalm 128: O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!

O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!

By the labour of your hands you shall eat.

You will be happy and prosper. (Response)

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;

your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. (Response)

Indeed thus shall be blessed

the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion

all the days of your life! (Response)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (3: 12-21)

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentle-

ness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete

them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one

body. Always be thankful.  Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs

to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness. Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord. Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts;

let the message of Christ find a home with you. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (2: 13-15, 19-23)

Glory to you, O Lord.

After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up

and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

I called my son out of Egypt.

After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Jo- seph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee.

There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spo-

ken through the prophets were to be fulfilled:

He will be called a Nazarene

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562 in the New English Hymnal.

O Almighty God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify thee by their deaths: Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith, even unto death, we may glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP Collect; The Innocents’ Day)

My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest (Exod. 33: 14)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Wednesday 31st December: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 4th January: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (Epiphany) Wednesday 7th January: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

Sunday 11th January: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (Baptism of the Lord)

Study group & pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin

The next community connect coffee morning shall be held on the 8th of January.

We thank all those who have supported the chaplaincy and its ministry this past year. May we have an excellent 2026 together!

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Donate electronically by scanning the QR code

the Church does not receive any funding from the

Church of England or the British Government and is reliant on the goodwill of congregants and visitors. We thank you for your support.

Priest Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury SSC

frbenjamindrury@gmail.com; Home tel.: 210 72 14 906

anglican@otenet.gr

Assistant Chaplain: Deacon Christine Saccali: 697 737 7655

Church of Sweden: Fr. Bjorn Kling: 694 6072428

Facebook @AnglicanAthens                    www.anglicanchurchathens.gr

saintpaulsathens.bsky.social

Service Sheet for Christmas Day 2025

Celebrant: Fr Benjamin Drury

Welcome to our Liturgy of Holy Communion (Sung Mass)

Processional: 24 (Yorkshire) Christians awake! salute the happy morn

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 98 (535 in the New English Hymnal)

Gradual: 25 (God Rest You Merry) God rest you merry, gentlemen

Offertory: 30 (Adeste Fideles) O come, all ye faithful

Communion: 31 (O Jesulein Suss) O Little One sweet, O Little One mild

Recessional: 32 (Forest Green) O little town of Bethlehem

All are welcome to stay for refreshments after the liturgy.

Please remember that the chaplaincy in Athens neither receives funding from the British Government nor from the Church of

England. All donations are, therefore, very gratefully received

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (52: 7- 10)

How beautiful on the mountains,

are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation,

and tells Zion, ‘Your God is king!’

Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout for joy together,

for they see the Lord face to face, as he returns to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the Lord is consoling his people, redeeming Jerusalem.

The Lord bares his holy arm in the sight of all the nations,

and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (text at 535 in the New English Hymnal

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (1: 1-6)

At various times in the past and in various different ways, God

spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made

everything there is. He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful

command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Maj- esty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has

inherited is higher than their own name.

God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have

become your father; or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Again, when he brings the First-Born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord,

for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

+ A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (1: 1-18)

Glory to you, O Lord.

In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was

the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that dark- ness could not overpower.

A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a wit- ness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might

believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.

The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being

through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who

believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’

Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever

seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ

The setting of the Nicene Creed is on page 562 in the New English Hymnal.

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure

Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (BCP Collect; The Nativity of Our Lord)

He shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and He shall deliver them. (Isaiah 18: 20)

Church Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Services: Unless noted, liturgies are followed by refreshments

Friday 26th December: 10 a.m.; Low Mass (St. Stephen)

Sunday 28th December: 10 a.m.; Sung Mass (Holy Family) Wednesday 31st December: 10 a.m.; Low Mass

The next community connect coffee morning shall be held on 8th January (Apollonos 6) 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Thanks to those who have supported these during the past year.

Study group & pilgrimage walking group: details from Fr. Benjamin

Anyone who would like to lead the intercessory prayers, serve dur- ing Mass, serve as an usher (sidesperson), assist with refreshments &c. should speak to Father Benjamin, or to Oliver Knight.

Donate electronically by scanning the QR code

the Church does not receive any funding from the

Church of England or the British Government and is reliant on the goodwill of congregants and visitors. We thank you for your support.

Priest Chaplain: Fr. Benjamin Drury SSC

frbenjamindrury@gmail.com; Home tel.: 210 72 14 906

anglican@otenet.gr

Assistant Chaplain: Deacon Christine Saccali: 697 737 7655

Church of Sweden: Fr. Bjorn Kling: 694 6072428

Facebook @AnglicanAthens                    www.anglicanchurchathens.gr

saintpaulsathens.bsky.social

Christmas Reflections from a Greek Island – recorded by Fr Leonard Doolan

Christmas Reflections 2025 – by Fr Leonard Doolan

Christmas Reflection from a Greek island.

‘And there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all men’ (Luke 2, 13-14).

This is the great news that is the very heart of Christmas – the song of praise that repletes heaven and earth that Christ is born – that God’s Messiah is among us – that, in the profound words of St. John, ‘the Word was made flesh and dwells among us.’ (John 1)

This is the historical daily reality that we celebrate very intently at Christmas  – but it is a reality that had been foretold by generations of Godly people, and a reality that is told now, and by Godly people in generations to come, because the birth of the Christ-child is an action of God, as real as God’s act of Creation itself. The story, mostly detailed in St. Matthew and St. Luke, captivates us – so familiar that we hardly need to double check it, and in our mind’s eye there are subliminal reminders from generations of artists in both the eastern and western traditions. Some of the most beautiful of our Christmas cards will capture the details of this event. Nativity plays in churches and schools will bring delight to those in attendance and anguished nerves to parents hoping their child will remember words, actions, movements – Mary, Joseph, a donkey, shepherds, hundreds of sheep, Wise Men – all dramatically presenting this best known of universal stories. And of course an angel of God, an angel who is surrounded by a heavenly host. The child is born.

‘And they wrapped him in cloths and placed him in the food trough because the guest room was full.’ (Luke 2, 7).

I’m grateful to one Orthodox commentator for the archaeological insight that leads me to this translation. Fr. Mark Sietsema* sets the scene for the arrival of the Holy Family in Bethlehem. In this culture it is unheard of to travel back to one’s family town and not stay there in the family home. However, everyone was returning home for the census, so St. Luke informs us that Joseph’s family home – which would have been modest – was already full up, so the late arrivals had to use the slightly sunken part of the home where there would have been some domestic animals, living cheek by jowl with the family. Archaeologists have found eating troughs hewn out of the floor space in houses in this area and period. So it is perhaps possible that the baby Jesus was placed into the feeding trough in that part of the house rather than in the living quarters.

The same commentator gives some hints too about the language used by St. Luke. In Greek the word for an ‘inn’, as in Luke’s story of the Good Samaritan is pandocheio. Any tourist visiting Greece now will be familiar with the modern Greek word for a hotel – zenodocheio – not so remote from the word used by Luke in his very famous Good Samaritan parable that illustrates ‘love in action’. However, in his description of the details surrounding the birth of Jesus, it is not the word for inn or hotel that is used by St. Luke, but rather kataluma. This can translated as a guest accommodation. So just perhaps there was no room left in the family guest quarters, thus Jesus was born in the domestic animal lower quarter of the house, and placed either in a trough hollowed out in the ground or even a stone-hewn trough on the ground.

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