| CYPRUS: KYRENIA, ST. ANDREW | |
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Sunday November 29th Advent Sunday |
"Now is the time to wake out of sleep for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." For the keeping of a holy and alert Advent. |
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Monday November 30th Andrew the Apostle |
Almighty God, you bring our life and your life together in a marvellous way in your Son. Accept our praises offered to you with the prayers of the saints and of the hosts of heaven. In thanksgiving for the call and mission of all apostles, especially St. Andrew. |
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Tuesday December 1st Clement of Alexandria (c.150) Priest and Scholar |
Keep us ever mindful, O God, of the example of these your saints, and make us more worthy to follow in their steps, through Jesus Christ our Lord. In thanksgiving for the learning and teaching of missionaries, especially St. Clement. |
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Wednesday December 2nd |
For our continuing efforts in Kyrenia to reach out in love and understanding to the Muslim host community. |
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Thursday December 3rd |
That all may remember how we lack for nothing, yet others around us, less fortunate than ourselves, struggle to survive on very little. Pray to exercise stewardship more faithfully and generously. |
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Friday December 4th John of Damascus, Monk and Teacher |
For St. Andrew's to be a welcoming Church, not looking inwardly, but being a beacon of help and comfort, reaching out to everyone of all traditions. |
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Saturday December 5th |
For all who have the responsibility of office within the Church, that they may have a vision of your kingdom, insight into your purposes, and understanding of the needs of your work. |
| CYPRUS: NICOSIA, ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL | |
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Sunday,
December 6th The Second Sunday of Advent Nicholas of Myra, Bishop |
Almighty Father, lover
of souls, who chose your servant Nicholas to be a bishop in the
Church, that he might give freely out of the treasures of your
grace: make us mindful of the needs of others and as we have
received, so teach us also to give; through Jesus Christ your Son
our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God now and forever. Collect for St.
Nicholas Day. In thanksgiving for the compassionate ministry of St. Nicholas |
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Monday December 7th |
For continuing ministry in Nicosia and particularly for the new Dean and Chaplain, Fr. John Tyrell, and his wife Carol. |
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Tuesday December 8th |
For the work of the various denominational Churches in the city. |
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Wednesday December 9th |
For work amongst the poor and needy. |
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Thursday December 10th |
For work with the youth of the churches. |
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Friday December 11th |
For ongoing work within Nicosia Central Prison. |
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Saturday December 12th |
For the Nicosia Pregnancy Care Centre, its work and helpers that the power of the living risen Lord, may empower us all this weekend and for ever. |
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O God
our Father, we are preparing to celebrate the birthday |
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| CHRISTIAN UNITY | |
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Sunday December 13th The Third Sunday of Advent |
For the unity of all Christians |
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Monday December 14th |
For deep immersion in the gospel of our salvation. |
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Tuesday December 15th |
For intelligent understanding of scripture, tradition and reason. |
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Wednesday December 16th |
For courage in addressing difficulties. |
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Thursday December 17th |
For delight in celebrating the faith delivered to us. |
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Friday December 18th |
For penitence and sorrow over our divisions. |
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Saturday December 19th |
For trust that God the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. |
| SPIRITUALITY AND RETREAT MINISTRY | |
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Sunday December 20th The Fourth Sunday of Advent |
As we remember God's provision for Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem thank God for the resources he has provided for the retreats work. Give thanks for the Bursaary Fund and the general running of the Katafiyio Retreat House. For continued financial support to enable the staff to continue this work. |
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Monday December 21st St. Thomas the Apostle |
For Maggie Le-Roy and Judy Cannan as they develop the retreats work. In times of doubt may they, like Thomas, reach out, touch and believe. As the workload increases it may be necessary to increase staffing - pray for discernment in this. |
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Tuesday December 22nd |
Remembering Mary and Joseph as they journey to Bethlehem, bring to God all the chaplaincies in the Diocese in their journeying towards him. May breathing spaces be created for clergy and congregations, that they may tune into God's presence during the coming year. |
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Wednesday December 23rd Christmas Eve |
As Mary rested before the birth of Christ, pray for busy people across the Diocese and Province, that they may realise their need to retreat, rest and wait for God to resource them for the work they are called to birth and nurture. |
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Thursday December 24th Christmas Day |
On the eve of remembering Christ's coming into the world, pray for those booked into the Katafiyio Retreat House over the coming months, that they may be filled with anticipation and meet them in their prayer that God will come to them. |
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Friday December 25th |
As we enter into the joy of Christ's birth, praise God for the new life which he has generated in those who have been on retreat this year. Pray that the life of Christ may inspire them into the coming year. |
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Saturday December 26th Stephen, Deacon, 1st Martyr |
As Stephen saw the glory of God, and as the angels at the birth of Christ gave glory to God, pray that the leading of Quiet Days, experiential prayer sessions for organisations, travel to the Middle East to lead retreats, and the leading of individually guided retreats will all result in glory going to God. |
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O Lord, the Scripture
says, "There is time for silence and a time for speech." Saviour, teach me the silence of humility, the silence of wisdom, the silence of love, the silence of perfection, the silence that speaks without words, the silence of faith. Lord teach me to silence my own heart that I may listen to the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within me and sense the depths which are of God. Source unknown, 16th century |
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Sunday December 27th The First Sunday of Christmas |
For the Bishop in Cyprusand the Gulf, Michael Lewis and Julia his wife. |
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Monday December 28th The Holy Innocents |
For the Archdeacon in the Gulf, Bill Schwartz, and Edith his wife. |
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Tuesday December 29th John, Apostle and Evangelist(transferred from Dec.27th) |
For the Archdeaconry of Cyprus. |
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Wednesday December 30th |
For Mrs. Georgia Katsantonis, the Bishop's PA. |
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Thursday December 31st |
For Mrs. Anetta Stylianou, office and finance secretary, and Mr. Savvas Demetriou, administrative assistant and driver. |
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Friday January 1st |
For the work of Mr. John Banfield, consultant, and for the Bishop's Council and Standing Committee. |
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Saturday January 2nd |
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Most merciful Father,
you have called us to be a caring Church, reflecting in our lives your infinite care for your children. Help us to fulfil jour calling and to care for one another in an unselfish fellowship of love; and to care for the world around us in sharing with it the good news of your love and serving those who suffer from poverty, hunger and disease. We ask it in the name of Christ our Lord. Archbishop Michael Ramsey Source unknown, 16th century |