The annual Diocesan Synod opened on 5 February, with a Eucharist led by the Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, Archbishop of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East and Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

During the opening Eucharist two priests were licensed—the Reverend Gill Nisbet as interim priest and chaplain in the chaplaincy of St Andrew Abu Dhabi, and the Reverend Paul Carr as parish priest in the parish of Paphos.

Synod Speaker the Reverend Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Director of Global Mission at USPG, addressed Members on Tuesday, on the theme of Witnessing through with-ness: exploring power.

Synod is meeting at the Golden Bay Hotel in Larnaca, until 9 February.