Bishop Sean celebrated Ascension Sunday at Christ Church Ayia Napa—an opportunity to join in a service with the Reverend George Vidiakin before George departs for St Barnabas Limassol at the end of the month.

In his sermon, Bishop Sean reflected on Jesus’s needing “to leave the stage, to allow space for the Holy Spirit to come and do his work”—as theologian and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams put it.

“Indeed,” said Bishop Sean, “Williams argues that this ‘giving place’ is a characteristic of the Trinitarian God: each of the three divine personalities does not seek pride of place or authority over the others, but moves to give place to the others so that they can be most fully what they are.”

The Ascension of Jesus was celebrated on Thursday. “The last earthly image of Jesus,” said Bishop Sean, “is him blessing his followers as he ascended. He blessed his disciples so that they in turn could be a blessing to the world.

“So, in our own time, and in this community, our Heavenly Father continues to bless us by his Holy Spirit to be more like his Son Jesus Christ, that we might be a blessing to the world around us.”

As well as forming part of Bishop Sean’s annual visit to the parish, Sunday’s service in Ayia Napa was also a chance to wish Fr George… a very happy birthday! Fr Anders Bondesson of the Scandinavian Church graciously presented George with a well-received gift.

Photo credit: Jenny Semple