Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf

Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf Established in 1976, the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf is one of the three dioceses that make up the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

The Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf (www.cypgulf.org) is one of three dioceses in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and includes Cyprus, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Yemen. In 1984 the diocese established companion links with the Diocese of Exeter in England and in 2005 with the Diocese of Thika in Kenya. In addition to its

many parishes, the diocese is also host to a substantial and growing Mission to Seafarers presence as well as a thriving Retreats Ministry. Our Bishop is the Right Reverend Sean Semple. For more information visit www.cypgulf.org

Bishop Sean is grateful for the opportunity to join Bishop Mike and the clergy of the Diocese of Exeter for its 2026 cle...
16/06/2026

Bishop Sean is grateful for the opportunity to join Bishop Mike and the clergy of the Diocese of Exeter for its 2026 clergy conference, at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester from 15-18 June.

The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf enjoys a close relationship with Exeter, along with fellow link Diocese of Thika, in Kenya—whose bishop, the Rt Revd Julius Wanyoike, is also in attendance.

The theme of the conference is Roots, Shoots and Fruits—a theme addressed by former Archbishop of Canterbury the Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1339092918158495

Thanks to the Rt Revd Moira Astin, Bishop of Crediton, who posted this lovely photo.

15/06/2026

Please join St Christopher’s Cathedral online tomorrow (16 June 2026) at 1800 (Bahrain) for a special Diocesan service—an opportunity for the people and friends of the Diocese to draw together in prayer.

Tomorrow's service will be led by Sinan Hanna, Ordinand at St George Baghdad.

To join the service via Zoom, visit https://www.cypgulf.org/ and click the green button to access the link.

(Please note this link is the same as that used for regular daily online services of Evening Prayer from St Christopher’s Cathedral, held at 1800 Bahrain time)

St Barnabas Limassol today welcomed clergy, laity and friends from across Cyprus for the licensing of the Reverend Georg...
13/06/2026

St Barnabas Limassol today welcomed clergy, laity and friends from across Cyprus for the licensing of the Reverend George Vidiakin as parish priest, at a service led by Bishop Sean.

Bishop Sean’s sermon reflected on the calling of Elisha and the theme of Christian discipleship as a response to God’s call—one that involves trust, commitment and renunciation. He encouraged both priest and congregation to work together in discerning God’s purposes for the future of the parish, highlighting the unique opportunities for mission and growth in Limassol, and urged the parish to deepen its understanding of the Anglican tradition. Offering pastoral counsel to Fr George, Bishop Sean called upon him “to pray for his people, visit them, love them and minister with integrity, truthfulness and transparency”.

Echoing that message, Fr George expressed his gratitude to Bishop Sean, Archdeacon Paul, the clergy and congregation, and all those who had supported him on his journey to this new ministry. That, of course, includes his family—his wife Regina, and their two young children. Fr George reflected that young families bring stability, consistency and a healthy rhythm to community life—qualities he hoped would also characterise his ministry as parish priest.

Fr George spoke of his desire to offer prayerful, confident and strategically grounded leadership, while remaining focused on “the heart of priestly ministry: being a ‘people’s vicar’ who is present, approachable and available”.

“Christians,” he said, “are called to become agents of reconciliation through the work of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the unity that is found in Christ.”

St Andrew Kyrenia, the Archdeaconry of Cyprus and the wider Diocese bid farewell to the Reverend Alec Mitchell--St Andre...
09/06/2026

St Andrew Kyrenia, the Archdeaconry of Cyprus and the wider Diocese bid farewell to the Reverend Alec Mitchell--St Andrew's parish priest--and his wife, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer Linda Balfe.

A beautiful Farewell Service was held at St Andrew's on Sunday (see Leo Igwe's post, below).

Bishop Sean paid tribute to Fr Alec’s ministry, “undertaken with grace and generosity”, as well as his work leading theological students on the Diocesan Exploring Faith programme, offering his skills as “an experienced, stimulating and gentle guide”.

Bishop Sean also acknowledged and thanked Linda, for her support for her husband, and her own ministry in this parish and in the Diocese.

“Linda’s ministry has been most visible to me in her two diocesan roles. First, in her participation in the Constitutional Review Committee which is tasked with revising and renewing the Diocesan Constitution--intellectually demanding work to which she has contributed magnificently.

“The second role is even more challenging and that is in her role as Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. Linda has been involved in re-engineering our diocesan safeguarding framework and operation from the ground up. I am deeply grateful that Linda will remain on as DSO—working remotely."

Fr Alec and Linda leave St Andrew’s and the Diocese “better than they found them", said Bishop Sean. "They have made a huge difference to us and so today we feel many conflicting emotions: grateful for them as people and their valued ministries, bereft by their departure, but praying for God’s blessing and favour to rest on them as they settle into their new lives and ministries in the UK."

The people of St Mark Famagusta were filled with joy to witness Henry Ikediego’s ordination to the diaconate at St Mark ...
07/06/2026

The people of St Mark Famagusta were filled with joy to witness Henry Ikediego’s ordination to the diaconate at St Mark Famagusta on Saturday.

Henry has attended and served the mainly student congregation of St Mark’s over the course of a decade.

“Jesus said you will know a tree by its fruit,” said Bishop Sean—referencing Matthew 7.15-20. “What fruit have we seen of Henry’s ministry over these years?”

In the face of many challenges, St Mark’s is a stable, caring congregation—the fruit, said Bishop Sean, of Henry’s “dedication, perseverance, integrity, faithfulness, patience and humility”.

“I have seen in Henry a calm and unassuming spirit—a personality seared by the burning coal of God’s purifying spirit; and a courage and conviction to say, ‘Here I am, send me.’ (Isaiah 6.8)

Bishop Sean reminded the congregation that deacons are ordained to a ministry of “‘visible self-giving’. They should be committed to serving everyone—but particularly the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

“St Mark Famagusta is one of the poorest parishes in the Diocese and serves some of its most vulnerable people. Henry has been visibly and sacrificially ministering to this community for many years now, with minimal finance and support. Thank you—and please continue to be the calloused hands and welcoming heart of Christ to this community.

“May your ordination confirm God’s call on your life, a call issued in eternity, a call established in the fruit of your life and labour among us; a call to be—in the words of Rowan Williams, a ‘transparent sign’ through whom others glimpse Christ and hear, perhaps for the first time, the simple, life-altering invitation, ‘Come and see.’”

(Photo credit: Archdeacon Paul Carr; Revd Maria Evangelou; St Andrew Kyrenia)

Christ Church Jebel Ali was delighted to welcome Bishop Sean on Trinity Sunday for a special and memorable Confirmation ...
02/06/2026

Christ Church Jebel Ali was delighted to welcome Bishop Sean on Trinity Sunday for a special and memorable Confirmation Service, writes Manisha Cornelius.

Fifteen candidates were confirmed in the presence of their families, friends and the wider church community, marking an important milestone in their journey of faith. It was a wonderful service filled with prayer, worship and thanksgiving.

In his Trinity Sunday sermon, Bishop Sean reflected on the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Using simple analogies, he described the Trinity as a relationship of perfect, self-giving love, revealed most clearly in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He also spoke of God's sustaining love at work in churches across the region during recent challenges, strengthening communities to persevere in faith and ministry.

Addressing the confirmands, Bishop Sean emphasised that Confirmation is not just a single event but a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and choose faith each day. He encouraged them to see every day as an opportunity to renew and live out their Christian calling.

Following the service, Bishop Sean spent time interacting with members of the congregation. During an especially engaging meet-and-greet session, he spoke about the structure, role and ministry of the Diocese, answering questions from parishioners about diocesan life and the wider Church. The opportunity for open conversation and fellowship was greatly appreciated by all.

We are especially grateful for the guidance and support of our parish priest, the Reverend Jim Young, whose encouragement, teaching and pastoral care helped prepare the confirmands for this important step in their Christian journey. We also recognise Samantha Van Rensburg and Tshele Moloi for assisting Fr Jim in preparing the confirmands.

We give thanks for our 15 confirmands and pray that they may continue to grow in faith, guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. We also thank Bishop Sean for his visit and ministry among us.

Bishop Sean and the council of St John Muscat are pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Dr Andrew Warmback...
31/05/2026

Bishop Sean and the council of St John Muscat are pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Dr Andrew Warmback as parish priest.

Revd Andrew is currently serving as Rector of St Michael’s, uMhlanga in South Africa, and has previously served as locum priest at St John’s.

Andrew trained for ordained ministry at the College of the Transfiguration in Makhanda and was ordained priest in 1996 at the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity in Natal. In addition to a Bachelor of Divinity from Rhodes University, he holds a PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, examining the environment, poverty and the church in South Africa.

A Service of Induction and Licensing will be held at St John’s on 1 October 2026.

Please join Bishop Sean in prayer for Revd Andrew, his wife Alison and their son Dominic, as he prepares to assume this new ministry.

St Paul Ahmadi in Kuwait yesterday celebrated Bishop Sean’s confirmation of six young people, each warmly welcomed and h...
30/05/2026

St Paul Ahmadi in Kuwait yesterday celebrated Bishop Sean’s confirmation of six young people, each warmly welcomed and held in the congregation’s prayers.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity Urdu Service, held in Kuwait City on Friday night, was led by Bishop Sean accompanied by C...
30/05/2026

The Feast of the Holy Trinity Urdu Service, held in Kuwait City on Friday night, was led by Bishop Sean accompanied by Canon Michael Mbona—parish priest of St Paul’s Anglican Church—and Assistant Priest the Reverend Christine Mbona.

The Urdu-speaking congregation of the Anglican Church of St Paul Ahmadi in Kuwait greeted Bishop Sean on Thursday with a...
29/05/2026

The Urdu-speaking congregation of the Anglican Church of St Paul Ahmadi in Kuwait greeted Bishop Sean on Thursday with a beautiful cake and gifts.

It will be Bishop Sean’s great pleasure to be with the congregation again on Friday, when it meets for the second of its two weekly gatherings.

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2 Grigori Afxentiou Street, PO Box 22075
Nicosia
1517

Telephone

+35722671220

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