Not Pentecost...yet!

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'Let the morning bring me news of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.'

These are the words of Psalm 143 which seemed quite appropriate for the day that's in it. It is always a special privilege to celebrate the Eucharist, but today I got to do so for the first time in the Cathedral.

I had initially assumed it would be Pentecost, as it is back home, but apparently they use the Orthodox Lectionary, which is one week behind.

There was a decent congregation and quite mixed. Interestingly, there is a different English speaking congregation on Sunday than that of Friday, with one or two exceptions. 

The service went very well and I was ably assisted in the distribution by a lovely gentle Sudanese Priest, Father Gabriel. I was also delighted to welcome a guest preacher from the UK, the Reverend Dr. Lee Gatiss, who is here for a week teaching at the Alexandia School of Theogy, part of which is attached to the Cathedral.

We also had a new pianist, Diana, who is of Lebanese descent and who lived in the UK. It was her first time playing and she did a wonderful job.  We had a minor hiccup as the numbers she had didn't tally with the hymn book here, but we sorted it out in good time!

At the end of the service, as I greeted people at the door, she played a wonderful rendition of Handel's Sarabande, which most people will associate with Barry Lyndon.

Everyone was most complimentary and apparently, enjoyed my clear voice and Irish accent! Did I mention that we are a very popular nation in the Middle-East, particularly at present?

After the service it was off to Granita once again for a lively discussion over coffee. I also made it a point to meet with the Sudanese community who were gathering for their service, which apparently is up to 5 hours long!

The Warden of the Cathedral, Emmanuel, is a very cheerful soul, always smiling and very eager to help. We have become good friends and he always on hand with some advice as to how things are done here, and quick to share a joke! He is very dedicated, as he spends the whole day in the Cathedral, serving at each service - including the later Arabic service - so a mighty long day for him! 

In the afternoon, I met up with Bishop Mouneer and we travelled to the Irish Embassy a short distance away. The premises is shared with the Embassy of the Netherlands, and I met the Ambassador, His Excellency Aidan O'Hara, and we had a very entertaining hour long discussion over coffee.  

He, too, is engaged in inter-faith dialogue and both he and Bishop Mouneer hope to continue their mutual co-operation, which will hopefully include hosting interfaith groups later this year.

I had an early supper and discovered a slightly bitter, but very refreshing Egyptian drink made from Hibiscus. It's even better, I discovered, when mixed with sparkling water!


It was a long but thoroughly enjoyable day, and only 31c!



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