The Reverend George Vidiakin, parish priest of Christ Church Ayia Napa, took part in a service of Holy Eucharist on Sunday (20 October), to welcome the Reverend Håkan Holmlund to the local Scandinavian church.
The Eucharist was celebrated by the Reverend Björn Kling, Area Dean for Greece and Cyprus, joined by the Reverend Henrik Selin—“Mobile Priest” for the Swedish Church in Africa, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean—and Fr Håkan.
Fr Håkan was welcomed by the entirety of the Scandinavian congregation and the church council, as well as representatives from Christ Church Ayia Napa. The Honorary Consul of Sweden in the Republic of Cyprus, Panayiotis Antoniades, was also present.
The Eucharist was celebrated in Swedish, with hymns in both Swedish and Norwegian. The Gospel passage was read in Swedish and English.
“It was a sheer joy to be at the service celebrated according to the Lutheran tradition of the Scandinavian churches,” said Fr George. “Christ Church Ayia Napa wishes Fr Håkan God’s abundant blessings in his ministry.”
Meeting with representatives of the Scandinavian church today (Monday) to discuss cooperation between the two congregations, Fr George said, “We are very much looking forward to working with our brothers and sisters in social work and in prayer.”
