This week at St Helena’s
Sunday 2nd October 2022 – Harvest Sunday’s readings:
9.30am – Holy Communion
Deuteronomy 8. 7-18
Psalm 100
Revelation 14. 14-18
John 6. 25-35
Who we are
St Helena’s is an English language church in the centre of Larnaca in Cyprus. Since 1907 Christian worship has been offered from our premises.
We are part of the worldwide Anglican communion. Members come from many backgrounds and countries. Our primary work at St Helena’s is ministry to English speakers locally.
Our activities
Besides Sunday services, there are Bible studies, prayer times and pastoral care. Social and fundraising events take place through the year.
Weddings
We provide wedding preparation and ceremonies for many couples each year, both local and from the UK. Our weddings are in the Anglican style, either at the church or at one of the several local hotels. The weddings page has more information.
Funerals
St Helena’s can provide a full funeral service for churchgoers and non-churghgoers alike. This is part of the pastoral mission of the church.
Contact us if you would like to know more about St Helena’s, or any of our activities.
Prayer of the Week
God our Creator,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
and stretched out the heavens as a tent cloth;
how glorious is your name in all the world.
Give us grace to wonder at your gift,
to treasure the earth
and to work for its protection and renewal;
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 for ever
Amen
New service times
Please note that from 27th November, Sunday services will start at 10am instead of 9.30.
A Letter from Archbishop Michael
ON THE DEATH OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
I know that countless people around our Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf and in our region, whatever their own nationality, origin, or even religious adherence, will join me in both mourning and celebrating Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
It is not only her very long life and the unparalleled span of her reign that made her remarkable among monarchs, heads of state, and leaders. Insofar as it is possible to characterize her personality from her public appearances, words, actions, and demeanour, she embodied duty, persistence, calm, and integrity even when others in great positions sometimes appeared to sit very lightly to those qualities. She consistently lived them out.
Many have commented on her unwavering Christian faith and her naturalness in referring to it publicly as the bedrock of her life and reign. It was obvious that she followed Christ as humbly and unshowily as any Christian should.
We mourn her, as human beings will properly mourn the end of the earthly life of a fellow human being. At the same time we celebrate her, most especially as a fellow Christian disciple and communicant who lived in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life and is surely now held in the loving bosom of God her Creator and ours.
Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
God save the King.The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God. – Wisdom 3:1
Archbishop Michael
Charity Shop
The Charity Shop in Larnaca is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.00am until 12.30pm.
Indoor Masking Requirements
From September 1st, wearing a face mask covering nose and mouth indoors is no longer required in indoor public places, including church. However vulnerable people are recommended to continue doing so. It is also still recommended to use hand gel, entering and leaving the church.
Book Stall
The next book stall will be on Wednesday 28th September from 10.00am.
Support for Ukrainian Refugees
A social event to support Ukrainian refugees was organised by the Ukrainian community of Larnaca and St Helena’s church. It took place on Friday 22 April. For more details and photos, see the St Helena’s news page.
Newsletter
Maggie LeRoy’s latest newsletter is here.
Prayer Guide
You can find the current Diocesan prayer guide here.
A Listening Ear
If you are a Cyprus resident and would like an opportunity to share where you are; how you are in this season, a trained Spiritual Director is available to listen confidentially. Information here.
Safeguarding Mission Statement
St Helena’s Anglican Church makes full commitment to the ongoing welfare and safekeeping of vulnerable children and adults attending this Church at all times.
We undertake the responsibility of all within our Church to protect them as far as is practically possible from abuse of any kind. We will ensure that all proper procedures and guidelines are followed, and that the appropriate person will be assigned to conduct any required investigations. A mentoring system will be in place.
As part of policy and good practice, the following people have been trained to the appropriate level and have been appointed as shown:
Protection Officer (PO): Mrs Marina Peters
Deputy Protection Officer (DPO): Fr Geoff GrahamKatafiyio Retreat HouseLatest information about the retreat house at Katafiyio can be found here.
Anne and Christopher Futcher
We look forward to welcoming you to St. Helena’s
St Helena’s Church is part of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
The diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf is one of four dioceses in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and includes Cyprus, the Gulf States, Iraq and Yemen. In every part of the diocese, except in Cyprus, the congregations are expatriate, with many Christians from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the African continent.
You can also visit the Facebook page for Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.
Katafiyio Retreat House
This has been a valued place for people to come and spend some time out of regular life, resting and listening to God. The Katafiyio website has more information, if you are interested in visiting.
Bible Lands magazine
This magazine about our Province is produced twice a year and gives helpful insights into Anglican churches and ministries in the Middle East. Consider subscribing to The Jerusalem and Middle East Church Association (JMECA) and become a Friend of our Province.
You can request a copy of the magazine from the JMECA website.