Author: Sue Fairhead

The church was closed for the past week, and re-opened this morning, newly painted throughout. Trunking has been installed for the cables, and the communion rail moved forward to allow more room behind it. The new air conditioners, installed last month, are quieter and much more efficient than the older ones.

Many people in the church worked hard to ensure that everything was back in place, working again for this morning.

On June 28th 2006, St Helena’s congregation was joined by lay Canon Georgia Katsantonis, who was retiring after forty years working as administrator to several Bishops of Cyprus and the Gulf.

The service was followed by a very enjoyable bring-and-share lunch in Navina’s flat, previously known as the ‘upper room’.

St Helena’s congregation celebrated the western Pentecost Sunday with a lively, colourful service. Readings and prayers happened in multiple languages, reflecting the diverse congregation and also giving a little of the flavour of the original Pentecost. Then we flew paper aeroplanes, with prayers, for someone else to take home.

The congregation of St Helena’s, with Bishop Sean, officially welcomed the Reverend Navina Thompson as priest during the service this morning, February 22nd.

Navina was licensed on February 2nd, at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Bahrain.

Navina, who was living in London, previously worked in Cyprus as assistant priest in the parish of Ammochostos, and as student chaplain for St Mark’s Famagusta.

After nearly five years with St Helena’s, Christopher and Anne decided to retire. There was a farewell service, followed by an excellent cake in the courtyard.

Christopher presided over the annual Christingle service, explaining the symbolism of the orange, the ribbon and the sweets. The Oroklini Community Choir joined St Helena’s with extra carols.

St Helena’s hosted a Jubilee ‘bring and share’ high tea on Monday 13th June, to celebrate the 70th Jubilee anniversary of the reign of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II.

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.

During the event clothes and non-perishable food were distributed among approximately 25 families who visited our church.

Everyone was treated to delicious homemade lemonade, refreshments, cakes and cookies.

On Monday 10 May we come out of lockdown.  The usual requirements to use handgel entering and leaving the church, wearing a face mask covering nose and mouth, and observing physical distancing, will continue to apply for services at St Helena’s.

Additionally, in order to come to church, each person will need to have with them a Coronapass. This will be available soon as an app on a mobile phone, but until that is ready each person must carry proof of one of:

 A negative PCR or rapid test, taken within the last 72 hours
 Vaccination of at least one dose received at least 3 weeks ago
 Having contracted coronavirus in the past 6 months.

The responsibility for this lies with each person. We do not have to check this as you arrive. If the church is subject to a surprise police check, anyone without the one of the 3 proofs listed above will be responsible for any fine imposed.