Friends of St Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia today joined Bishop Sean and Dean Walter Brownridge for a truly special service of Evensong with the collation and installation of four new canons—the Most Reverend Dr Hosam Naoum, the Venerable Dr (Air Vice-Marshal) Giles Legood MBE KHC, Deborah Graham and Christopher Clapham. (To watch the service, click here.)
With the end of this year of Jubilee marking the 50th anniversary of the Diocese approaching, Bishop Sean reflected on congregations across Cyprus and the Gulf that have offered “prayers of thanksgiving to God for bringing this extraordinary diocese ‘safe thus far’. Against the backdrop of war,” he said, “these occasions of reflection and celebration have heightened our awareness of God’s faithful love through the tempests of time.”
It is also the 50th anniversary of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and Bishop Sean paid particular tribute to its Primate, Archbishop Hosam—Bishop of the Diocese of Jerusalem, Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Iran, and, until three years ago, Acting Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf during its episcopal interregnum.
Recognising the extraordinary responsibility Archbishop Hosam bears as Presiding Bishop of the Province and within the Anglican Communion, “whilst living and ministering in lands that writhe with the pain of relentless injustice and conflict”, we pray, said Bishop Sean, “that the great light of Christ would grow ever brighter in the deep darkness of the lands of this Province through each act of faith, of hope, of love offered defiantly in the face of distress and despair”.
The service was an opportunity to express gratitude to four individuals who have sought “first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), said Bishop Sean—individuals “who have and will continue to make a real difference to the life and witness of this Diocese and Cathedral”:
Archbishop Hosam, placed into the Stall of St John Mark
The Venerable Giles Legood, Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon of the Royal Air Force, recognised for the long and valued history between the RAF and the Diocese, placed into the Stall of St Lazarus
Mrs Deborah Graham of St Helena Larnaca, former member of Diocesan Standing and Finance Committee and Provincial Council, co-chair of the House of Laity and chair of JEMT (Cyprus), placed into the Stall of St Helena
Mr Chris Clapham of St Barnabas Limassol, member of Diocesan Standing and Finance Committee and trustee of JEMT (Cyprus), placed into the Stall of St Martha of Bethany
“Tonight represents a moment of celebration and new life in this beloved Cathedral,” said Bishop Sean. “Our new canons bring the gifts of their experience, knowledge and broader networks to St Paul’s. From today there will be a special place in their hearts, prayers and diaries for this Cathedral, and they will be doing what they can to support the flourishing of its life and ministry.
“May we all, rooted in the faith of the apostles and saints, and inspired by their courageous love and service, bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ in our own generation.”
