Bible Lands Winter 2017/18 Magazine of the and the Middle East Church Association

www.jmeca.org.uk

& TH M E M LE ID SA DL RU E E EA J S N T I D H I C O R C E U S

H E

C

O

L

F

A

J

P

E

O

R

C

U

S

S I

A

P

L E

E

M E

H T

Jerusalem Egypt & North Africa Cyprus & the Gulf

Archbishop of Canterbury visits the Holy Land...... p4 Archbishop elected Primate...... p6 Christians of Iraq...... p9 THE JERUSALEM AND Bible Lands Editor Letters, articles, comments are welcomed by the Editor: THE MIDDLE EAST CHURCH The Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Need ASSOCIATION Email: [email protected] The next issue will be published in May for (JMECA) Summer 2018. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily Founded in 1887 those of the Association; therefore only signed articles ‘To encourage support in prayer, money and will be published. personal service for the religious and other JMECA Website www.jmeca.org.uk charitable work of the Episcopal church in The site has information for each of the four Dioceses Jerusalem and the Middle East’. with links to the websites of each one and regular Reg. Charity no. 1158476 updates of Middle East news. www.jmeca.org.uk Patron The Most Reverend and Right Honourable THE CENTRAL SYNOD OF THE PROVINCE The Archbishop of Canterbury President Chairman The Most Revd Suheil Dawani Mr. Huw Thomas Secretary Administrator Mrs. Georgia Katsantonis Mrs. Shirley Eason [email protected] Assistant: Mrs. Shirley Atkins Treasurer 1 Hart House, The Hart The Reverend Canon William Schwartz. Farnham GU9 7HJ, Surrey. [email protected] Jerusalem Office days: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 2.00pm. The Most Revd Suheil Dawani Tel/Fax 01252 726994 St George’s Cathedral Close, PO Box 1248, The Council of JMECA delegates the administration Jerusalem Tel: +972 2 6272932 of its assets to a Standing Committee which is @j-diocese.org THE JERUSALEM AND THE EAST MISSION TRUST website: www.j-diocese.org LIMITED (JEMT) Iran Administrator as above Vicar General Directors The Revd Dr Albert Walters Mr. John Clark (Chairman) Egypt Dr. Clare Amos The Rt Revd Mr. Andrew Hill All Saints Cathedral, PO Box 87, Distribution Zamalek, Mr. John G Pringle (Hon Treasurer) Cairo, Egypt Tel: +20 2 2738 0821 The Reverend Dr. William Taylor [email protected] Mr. David Wright OBE website: www.dioceseofegypt.org The Reverend Canon Hugh Wybrew The Reverend Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes Cyprus and the Gulf The Rt. Revd. Consultants Diocesean Office, PO Box 22075, 1517 Nicosia Tel: +357 22671220 The Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Need The Bishop’s PA Mr. Richard Owens OBE Mrs. Georgia Katsantonis Sir Harold Walker KCMG [email protected] website: www.cypgulf.org

2 Mr John Clark, chairman of Jerusalem and the East Mission Trust (JEMT) writes:

Bible Lands readers will be aware that there was no issue of So this issue of Bible Lands covers major events in the magazine this summer. The reason was that we had not the four dioceses over the past year. The cover photo been able to find a successor to Canon Tim Biles as Editor marks the election at the Central Synod meeting in May in time to prepare that edition. But now I am very pleased to of Archbishop Suheil as President Bishop, following report that the Revd Dr Stephen Need has agreed to take Archbishop Mouneer’s ten years of dedicated service. on the role of Bible Lands Editor and Consultant to JMECA. Before that meeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury paid a significant and lengthy pastoral visit to the Christians We owe a great deal to Tim Biles. Eleven years ago he of Jerusalem, the Palestinian territories and . News agreed to take on the editing of Bible Lands for three years from Cyprus and the Gulf focuses on Iraq with a report which extended to ten! He was an experienced author and from JMECA Trustee, William Taylor, of a visit to an area editor with a long knowledge of the Church in the Middle previously occupied by ISIS while Archdeacon Bill Schwartz East and the . He redesigned the magazine into its reports on St George’s Baghdad. A4 full colour format and with his own frequent visits to Jerusalem and the Holy Land was able to add his personal In Egypt there are changes in leadership with the election experience to the news and reflections he gleaned from of a new Bishop the Rt Revd Samy Fawzy Shehata for North many individuals and news sources. Thank you, Tim, for Africa and the resignation of Bishop Grant LeMarquand all that you have done in support of the Christians of the as Bishop of the Horn of Africa. News from Iran is limited Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. but the Central Synod elected the Revd Dr Albert Walters to succeed Bishop Azad Marshall as Vicar-General for Stephen Need also Iran. Bishop Azad had served from 2004 to 2017 as Vicar- brings long experience General, Bishop and then Vicar-General again – a long of the Middle East, period of dedicated and demanding service. And the particularly of the daughter of a former bishop is to be consecrated a bishop Diocese of Jerusalem, in the Church of . where he was ordained in 2008, to the editorial A major role for JMECA is to provide financial support for role. With a doctorate the Episcopal Church in the region. This year £257,000 from King’s College of general and specific grants was made to the four London, Stephen dioceses. We are seeking to increase general gifts, so has served as Senior I hope that the news and reflection in this issue will Lecturer, Director of encourage readers to give support to the Christians Studies and from 2005- of the Province and to hold them in prayer. 11 Dean of St George’s John Clark College, Jerusalem, the ’s Centre for Holy Land Studies. He has lectured in theology at colleges in Chichester and Southampton and is the author of six books on the New Testament and the early centuries of the Church. He is also an accomplished pianist. We are very grateful for his willingness to take on the editorship.

3 Diocese of Jerusalem Jerusalem

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a diocese of the worldwide Anglican Communion, extends over five countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, within the Province of Jerusalem and the

Archbishop Suheil Dawani Middle East. There are 27 parishes that minister to the needs of their communities, centered on the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, Syria Lebanon in Jerusalem. The diocese supports 35 institutions, which include hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools,

vocational training programmes, as Palestine well as institutions for the deaf, the & Israel disabled and the elderly, reaching out to Jordan interfaith neighbours in mutual respect and cooperation.

Archbishop of Canterbury visits the Holy Land In May this year the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby and his wife Caroline made a ten-day visit to the Holy Land. One of the next visit was the Western or Walling Wall where the longer visits of an Archbishop of Canterbury to the Archbishop prayed with the Chief Rabbi from the UK, region in recent years, it covered a significant amount Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. They then went together to Yad of ground. The Archbishop and Mrs Welby were Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in West Jerusalem, hosted by the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem the where they both made speeches in an extremely Most Reverend Suheil Dawani and his wife Shafeeqa sensitive context. who travelled with them. Throughout the time, the Archbishop’s trip included The focus of the trip was on visiting some of the meetings with key local leaders including the Prime Holy Places as well as on Anglican, ecumenical Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the President and interfaith meetings encouraging justice, peace of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, and the Palestinian President, and reconciliation in the area. Archbishop Justin Mahmoud Abbas. The Archbishop also met with emphasised his role as a listener more than once as Israel’s Chief Rabbis as well as with Palestinian Moslem he made his way through some of the most complex and Christian leaders. and confusing political landscape of the Middle East. One key feature of the ten-day trip was a day Beginning in Jordan, Archbishop Welby met with King in Gaza, so troubled Abdullah in Amman as well as with Syrian and Iraqi in recent years by the refugees at the Zaatari camp and at St. Paul’s Church, political events in which Ashrafiyeh. He also spent time at the Holy Land it has been engulfed. Institute for the Deaf in Salt. He then crossed into the The Archbishop visited and Israel making his way up to Jerusalem the Anglican Ahli Arab where the visit began in the Old City. The Archbishop hospital and also the walked the Via Dolorosa following the Stations of local St. John’s Eye the Cross and concluded in the Church of the Holy Hospital. In both places Sepulchre where he was welcomed by the Greek he met with staff and Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Theophilus patients. III. Archbishop Justin then proceeded to the Haram esh-Sharif, the area where the Moslem Dome of the In Jerusalem, one of the key visits was to the Princess Rock stands, and met with Moslem leaders there. The Basma Centre for Disabled Children. This very well-

4 Diocese of Jerusalem Jerusalem

known institution on the Mount of Olives is widely respected in the area. The Archbishop was able to meet staff and children at the home and to experience first-hand some of the work it does. Archbishop Suheil Dawani A visit to Bethlehem began with prayer in St George’s Chapel at the Church of the Nativity and was followed by time in the Cave of the Nativity, the heart of the church commemorating Jesus’ birth. There were then meetings with the Mayor of Bethlehem and local Christian leaders. The itinerary also took the Archbishop to Cremisan and Beit Jala in the Bethlehem area and to the West Bank town of Hebron where he visited the Ibrahimi Mosque and synagogue containing the Tombs of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Sarah, Rebecca and River Jordan near Jericho. This site is now easily Leah). He was also able to meet with the Women in accessible on both sides of the river and has become Hebron Co-operative and the Hebron Rehabilitation increasingly popular in recent years. A number of new Committee. A visit to the Bedouin village of Susiya churches have been built in the vicinity. In addition to followed. He also saw the ‘Tent of Nations’ to find out praying at the site, the Archbishop saw some of the about the work going on there. work of the British mine clearance charity, the HALO In the north of trust. the country, the Time in Jaffa saw the Archbishop went Archbishop with Arab to Nazareth to the and Jewish youth Anglican Christ at the Equaliser co- Church and its existence football nearby school where project and at the both Christian and Peres Centre for Moslem students had Peace. His focus was chance to meet him. once again on the He also visited the need for reconciliation. local Greek Orthodox The final stop was at and Roman Catholic St. Peter’s Church in Churches to meet Jaffa, a recently re-opened Anglican Church. Left their congregations and priests. damaged following the 1948 war it has now been For the Anglicans in Jerusalem, the Archbishop’s renovated and re-opened. There were prayers for appearance at St. George’s Cathedral to celebrate justice, peace and reconciliation among the people and preach at a Sunday Eucharist was very special. of the Holy Land before the Archbishop flew out of Tel In the afternoon of Aviv back to London. the same day, he was Their time in the Holy Land enabled Archbishop Justin installed as a Canon and his wife to get to know the area by meeting local in St. George’s. The leaders and communities and seeing for themselves presence of a number some of the challenges on the ground. The message of leaders and friends of justice, peace and reconciliation permeated the from local churches entire trip and helped build up good relations with made the event an people across the different denominations and extremely happy religions. All in all, it was a tremendous success. ecumenical occasion. Pauline Collier and Stephen Need Towards the end of the trip there was a Photos: Jack Karn on behalf of the Episcopal visit to the site of the Diocese of Jerusalem Jesus’ baptism at the

5 Diocese of Jerusalem Jerusalem Archbishop Suheil Dawani Primate is the Rt Rev Dr Mouneer Annis, Bishop elected Primate of the in Egypt, who has served for ten years. Archbishop Suheil Dawani Province of Jerusalem Mrs Georgia Katsantonis and the Middle East was elected Provincial The Most Rev Suheil Dawani, the Archbishop in Secretary and Mr Ehab Jerusalem, has been elected Primate of the Province Edward Provincial of Jerusalem and the Middle East. He was elected Treasurer. The Rev Dr in May this year at the Provincial Synod in Amman, Albert Walters has been Jordan and will serve for a period of two and a half serving as Vicar General years. He will then be succeeded by the Rt Rev for the for Michael Lewis, Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf who the last six months. will also serve for two and a half years. The outgoing

Installation of four new New Interim Dean canons at St. George’s Richard LeSueur arrives Cathedral, Jerusalem at St. George’s College At Evensong in St. George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem Canon Dr Richard on Tuesday 27th June this year Archbishop Suheil LeSueur has recently Dawani installed four new canons in their stalls. The arrived as Interim Dean ceremony took place during the Anglican Communion at St. George’s College. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Rev Canon John Richard has served for Peterson. The four canons were as follows: the Most 38 years as an Anglican Rev Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary General of priest in Western and the Anglican Communion; the Most Rev Paul Kwong, Central Canada, and Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui and in the Diocese of Bishop of Hong Kong Island; t he Rt Rev C. Andrew Jerusalem. In the early 1990’s he served on the staff Doyle, Bishop of Texas (Honorary Episcopal Canon); of St. George’s College as Course Director and and the Rev Peter Koon, from the Diocese of Hong Director of the Desert Program. Since 1983 he has Kong Island (Honorary Episcopal Canon). Archbishop facilitated more than 40 excursions for clergy and Idowu-Fearon preached at the ceremony which was laity in the biblical lands. He is adjunct faculty with attended by representatives of some of the local Trinity Divinity College in Toronto, and is the Middle churches. The installation of the canons indicates East Liaison for the Anglican Church of Canada. He is some of the many connections with churches around married to Rhonde, a retired social worker and lecturer the Anglican Communion and their support for the in disability studies. They have two grown sons. Diocese of Jerusalem. Richard writes: “St George’s College is one of the great gifts of the Anglican Communion. Centered only a short walk from the walls of the Old City and the Church of the Resurrection, the College facilitates one and two- week programmes of adult education that immerse participants in the landscape of the scriptures, recent archaeology, and a devotional practice that inspires and renews faith. Call it by its ancient name, pilgrimage. Come and see.” For 2018 and 2019 Course Offerings see St. George’s College web site: www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem. com

6 Jerusalem Jerusalem Ordination and baptism in

Archbishop Suheil Dawani Jerusalem On Saturday 30th September the Director of Studies at St. George’s College, Revd Dr Hector Patmore, was ordained priest by Archbishop Suheil Dawani. The service took place at St. George’s Hector took up his current post at the College in Cathedral in Jerusalem. January 2017. His former training incumbent, Revd Before coming to St. George’s College Hector taught Chris Burr, travelled all the way from Wales to share in the Theology Department at Cardiff University. He in the laying on of hands. trained for ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon in The occasion was cause for a double celebration: Oxford and was ordained Deacon in the Anglican at the same service the Archbishop baptised Hector Church in Wales in June 2016. and Lydia’s second son, Dyfrig, who was born in Jerusalem in June this year.

Placement in Jerusalem While many of our fellow ordinands training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge were heading off this summer for parish placements across the UK, we set off for Jerusalem where we had arranged a placement at St George’s Cathedral. We weren’t sure what to expect or how much we’d be able to help – but from our first day were given sacristan duties, leading evening prayer, and helping out in both the Cathedral and Diocesan offices. Our whole time on placement was a wonderful learning experience – from the necessity of coffee to any social life. Again and again you are struck that even if an interaction in Jerusalem, to the liturgical richness of event didn’t happen in the exact place claimed – it St George’s, to the beauty as well as challenge of happened somewhere, probably very nearby. bilingual worship, and the sheer amount of work done But of course, there is so much more to the Christian by a surprisingly small staff team! experience of the ‘Holy Land’ than churches. It was One of the things which struck us most is how the our privilege to worship and work alongside Christians Anglican church in Jerusalem is at once both deeply who witness with their lives to the continuous Christian embedded in its local context – and seeks to faithfully presence in that land for two millennia, and it was minister to and support its indigenous community – encouraging to see their ongoing role serving not yet at the same time has an international reach and only their own community but the whole community profile, with hundreds of pilgrims coming through its – through its institutions, of which the Diocese is doors each week. rightly proud, but also through its quiet determination At times this created some excitement – like the to remain a gracious and faithful Christian presence, morning we were setting up for the small 8am helping bring greater unity between the churches Eucharist in a side chapel, only to discover a Ugandan in Jerusalem, and witnessing to the possibility of bishop and sixty pilgrims were about to arrive peaceful living to the wider community. unannounced, prompting a hurried move to the nave! We are very grateful to Archbishop Suheil Dawani, We enjoyed spending time exploring the sites of Dean , and all the Cathedral clergy and Jerusalem, which brought our theological studies to (Continues over page) 7 Diocese of Jerusalem Jerusalem Placement in Jerusalem believe has been a life-changing placement during our training for ordained ministry. (continued from p7) community for welcoming us in Jerusalem – and for Already we are planning when we can return to visit Archbishop Suheil Dawani the other clergy and congregation members we met the Diocese of Jerusalem again! from different churches in the Diocese. And we are Josh & Alanna Harris, Ridley Hall, Canbridge grateful to JMECA for enabling us to go on what we

Introducing Joel and Fiona Kelling… Regional Facilitator (Anglican Alliance) and Provincial Administrator After arriving in Jerusalem in 2015 with my wife Fiona who had taken a job with the Norwegian Refugee Council, I began assisting Dean Hosam Naoum in his responsibilities as Dean of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem, and through this volunteering, became well as responding to the Anglican Alliance’s three accustomed to the rhythm of life in the Diocese. pillars of Development, Relief, and Advocacy. Fiona and I have really enjoyed being a part of the In the meantime, I have begun working on some church in Jerusalem, and feel that we are called to of the issues facing the Province, including linking remain in the region, supporting indigenous and with relief organisations to help provide support to migrant Christian populations. We have just become Christian Iraqi refugees in Jordan; facilitating the Mission Partners in training for the Church Mission development of a provincial reconciliation hub for the Society, and will return to the UK to complete our Anglican Communion alongside Lambeth’s Canon for training before returning to the Middle East in Spring Reconciliation, Sarah Snyder; and begin developing 2018. plans for a Provincial Youth Conference, through which I am taking on a new role, as Regional Facilitator for we hope to nurture and support the young Christians Anglican Alliance, and Provincial Administrator for the in the region. Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Fiona I’m looking forward to this new challenge, and would and I will be moving to a new home and community appreciate your prayers for myself and Fiona. in Amman, Jordan, where we will look to become Joel Kelling part of the Arabic speaking congregation of St. Paul’s Ashrafiyeh. If you would like to support Fiona and Joel in the work they will be doing, please visit www. I hope that this newly created position is an opportunity churchmissionsociety.org/kelling for more details. to bring greater cooperation across the Province, and help share best practice from Diocese to Diocese, as

For details of courses at St. George’s College Jerusalem in 2018 please see the website: www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com

8

Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

Bishop Michael Lewis explains that the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf covers Oman, the Yemen, the seven United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and the whole of Cyprus. “In every part of the diocese, except in Cyprus and Iraq, the congregations are largely expatriate, made up of Christians from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the African continent. Many do not come from an Anglican background but find a welcome church

Bishop Michael Lewis home in our Anglican congregations. Through some intricate and special relationships, the Diocese is often responsible for churches and congregations which are not Anglican, Iraq some of which are still working out their Cyprus Bahrain

relationships to the Bishop and Synod. Qatar Worship is largely in English but in some Kuwait locations we have liturgy in Arabic, Syriac- Aramaic, Tamil and Urdu. Bishop Azad United Marshall of Iran has a particular ministry Arab Emirates to the Urdu-speaking congregations within Oman our diocese.” Yemen

From darkness to light – visit to the Christians of

Iraq 14-17 August 2017 already been described by the European, British and December 2014 was dark and cold for the Christians US parliaments as genocide. In terms of the future, it and Yezidis of the Nineveh Plain in Iraq in both physical is not for people outside the community to give their and symbolic ways. In August of that year Da’esh had views, and in this short text the reader will see the hope occupied their homes and places of worship, and the and determination of the community to remain in their entire community was living as Internally Displaced People (IDP’s) in Erbil, Dohuk and other places of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). In the depth of that December dark and cold Bishop Geoffrey Rowell and I visited at the request of Archbishop Justin, and we promised to return when Da’esh was gone. My visit was to keep that promise and to honour the memory of Bishop Geoffrey who died earlier this year. Da’esh were expelled in July 2017, leaving behind them utter mindless desecration of entire communities in the name of their warped and poisonous ideology. By contrast, this short visit was filled with the energy and light of the Easter people as they resurrect their homes, schools, churches, and communities with astonishing speed and energy, and it was a privilege to be welcomed with the open hearts and generous tables of our Iraqi Christian hosts. The bigger context is the decimation of the Christian community in Iraq since 2003, and the internal question as to whether Christianity has a future in Iraq or it is to be found in the diaspora. This decimation has 9 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

historic homeland. In this visit to the historic homeland of Christians in Iraq, I travelled with the photographer/ architect Denny Chan who provided a photographic record, and the videographer Jean Wong, who made a video of what we saw and experienced. I am grateful to both of them for their sensitive and inspirational art.

Erbil Bishop Michael Lewis We arrived in Erbil and were met and generously hosted by the team of His Grace Archbishop Bashar Warda, who was in when we visited. Steve Rasche, Archbishop Warda’s legal counsel and Father At the time of the occupation, 1,200 families had to Jenan, Archbishop Warda’s Private Secretary, were flee from Tell Uskuf and since the liberation close to most generous with their time and had set up the 800 families have already returned. The infrastructure programme for our visit. The first morning was spent of the community is being rebuilt with astonishing in and around the Cathedral and Mutraniya which in speed and energy. The Church is in the middle of 2014 was filled with IDP’s finding shelter wherever reconstruction and on target to be fully functional they could. The hard work of the churches in the KRG, again by December. The kindergarten, although working together with the international oikoumene partially burnt out and destroyed, is already hosting and NGO’s meant that all IDP’s were relatively quickly classes of children for First Communion and catechism housed in better accommodation – mainly caravans classes. Walking through the streets in the cool of and portacabins, which we would have an opportunity the evening, many shops are already rebuilt, fully to experience towards the end of our visit. stocked and functioning, and the cafes are full of the community enjoying each other’s company. Working Tell Uskuf alongside the local people was a large team from SOS Chrétiens d’Orient (http://www.soschretiensdorient. In the afternoon of the first day, we left on the hour fr/) painting chairs and tables and generally helping and a half drive to the Nineveh Plain close to Mosul with clearance. They are young and energetic, and to visit the villages of Al Kosh, Tell Uskuf, and have integrated well with the local community-one Batnaya, the latter two of which had been occupied evening, there was a lively and funny football match by Da’esh. All these communities were close to the between SOS and the Tell Uskuf football team. In many front line between the occupation of Da’esh and senses, they are a model of inter-church co-operation the Peshmerga, the KRG’s military force. Tell Uskuf, and have inspired me to work together with others to during the time of Da’esh occupation had been set up a similar visit from the UK in the near future. 30% destroyed by Da’esh and by coalition shelling The work in Tell Uskuf is directed by Fr Salar, who is and bombing. It had been suggested to us by Iraqi tireless in bringing together the different aspects of Christians in Need, ICIN (http://icin.org.uk/) and the reconstruction work going on. Chaldean that a good focus for fundraising would be the partially destroyed and burnt out kindergarten in Tell Uskuf in the compound of the Al Kosh Dominican sisters there. As Al Kosh was not occupied by Da’esh it has the best infrastructure of the villages and we were hosted there in the Mutraniya by the energetic Fr Aram. While in Al Kosh, we were able to celebrate the Dormition with the community in a 10 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus

packed church, followed by a long procession with an (5,500 persons) housed in 1,080 caravans, mainly icon of the Virgin, winding its way through the streets from the communities of Mosul, Karakosh, and to another of the Churches. To celebrate the expulsion Batulla. Here again, we witnessed the fantastic vitality of Da’esh a new statue of the Virgin and waterfall and creativity of the community as they rehearsed for had been created in the centre of the town, which I their performance the following day of the massed was privileged to unveil with Fr Aram – followed by a ranks of musicians using organ, guitar, oud, and youth party with lots of singing and dancing. We were the human voice. 41 families have already left, and also able to see and experience the work of the two this process is set to speed up in September. That

Bishop Michael Lewis trauma centres, set up and directed by Fr Aram. Post month will also see the referendum for Kurdistan’s Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) also manifests itself independence - so much will be determined in this from time to time amongst the community, and these critical month and crucial year. centres provide an important help and guidance in the general area of mental health. Making all things new We do not claim that this is an exhaustive study of Batnaya the situation of Christians and others in post-Da’esh Batnaya is a Iraq – this is ongoing and long-term work which is different and more already being done by others. It is a snapshot, taken challenging story. at a critical time for the community as they return to As it was close their damaged communities and rebuild them. It is a to the frontline of story of hope, energy, determination, and above all Daesh it has been faith. It has been a privilege to have been taken to the 80% destroyed, heart of the community in this short visit, in which we both by Daesh received far more than we were able to give. For me, and collation it was deep reminder of the power of celebration in shelling and aerial uniting and building the community in a strongly future bombardment. orientation. We can all play our part in working together It seems to have for the good of all – also held some if you are moved by significance for what you see and the leadership of read here, there Da’esh as much graffiti in the town suggests that it are many ways to had also seen the presence of the self-proclaimed give. For myself, “Caliph” Al Baghdadi and his leadership. There is I recommend the also graffiti in different languages – Tajik, Uzbek, and work of ICIN. You a particularly violent and ugly German graffiti in the will see details Church. Reading this was dark and shameful moment of how to donate for me as I witnessed and felt this European import to on their website. the Christian Church in one of the lands of its birth. In Working together Batnaya, there is enormous work to do, but the booby as co-creators with traps and landmines appear to have been fully cleared God, we can “make and so the work can start soon. While there, we visited all things new.” the abandoned trenches and tunnels of the Da’esh William Taylor, Denny Chan, and Jean Wong front line accompanied by Peshmerga, by whom we August 2017 were given lunch in the Commander’s HQ. Iraqi Christian in Need (ICIN) 2017 a critical year – http://icin.org.uk/ This year of 2017 will be a critical one for the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association community. September 1st will see the ending of (AECA) – https://www.aeca.org.uk/ financial support for the IDP’s in the remaining Denny Chan – www.dennychankl.com camps, who are being encouraged to return to their communities where it is safe and practical to do so. Jean Wong – www.jean-w.net When we returned to Erbil, we visited the largest remaining camp, Ainkawa 2, home to 1,200 families 11 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus Good news from Baghdad… tailor’s room making vestments and clothes, a kitchen preparing food for both sale and distribution, and a Iraq has nurtured a Christian (in recent centuries kindergarten. mostly Chaldean Catholic) population since the “Every time I visit St George’s I come away blessed and 2nd century, but over the last decade and a half its encouraged in my faith,” says Archdeacon of the Gulf, Christian population has declined drastically. The Bill Schwartz. “To experience the depth of devotion 2003 US-led war sparked an ongoing period of among the people of the St George’s congregation upheaval and suffering, culminating in the rise of ISIS is a strong incentive to do all I can to assist them in Bishop Michael Lewis and the draining of three quarters of the country’s their wide ministry.” Christian population. During the 1990s, Iraqi Christians numbered more than a million. Today only 250,000 The vibrant, large, and devoted congregation of St. remain. George’s works extensively with the local community. They hold a regular women’s group and Sunday Christian communities in Iraq and Syria have been school, as well as doing youth work, and home visits. worst-hit by 21st-century turmoil. Since 2011, millions The main act of worship is the Eucharist at 5 pm each of Christians have fled their homes, fearing genocide. Sunday, which over 200 people of all ages regularly Christians across the broader Middle East regularly attend. As well as the well-attended services, there face discrimination. Christians in Iraq and Syria face are activities for young people, and a branch of the some of the most severe persecution of any religious Mothers’ Union. Children’s work flourishes. group in the world, stemming from the spread of ISIS and other such groups. Economic conditions in Baghdad and Iraq are not good, even now, 14 years after the invasion. Food is Christian persecution is any hostility experienced as regularly on offer to the poor, and many who do not a result of being Christian. From verbal harassment attend services, especially Muslims, come into the to hostile actions, Christians pay a heavy price for compound and mingle with Christians. their faith. Beatings, physical torture, confinement, isolation, rape, severe punishment, imprisonment, St. George’s also works with Internally Displaced slavery, discrimination in education and employment, Persons, known as IDPs. These are people who are and even death are just a few examples they forced to flee from their homes but remain within experience on a daily basis. their country’s borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the legal Christianity’s chances of survival in Iraq rest on definitions of a refugee. This complicates the situation, whether Christians are willing and able to return to their homelands. St. George’s Church However, it is not all bad news. The church of St George, Baghdad in the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf is flourishing despite many continuing challenges. It is involved in important community outreach and reconstruction work in the city. St. George’s welcomes everyone to attend worship, and invites to the altar all who are in good standing with their own Church. Some who attend St George’s also attend other churches such as the Chaldaean Catholic, the Syrian Orthodox, and the Syrian Catholic traditions. Fr Faiz Jerjes is the hard-working parish priest at St. George’s. Previously he was the assistant priest, and before that senior layman and licensed Reader. There are two churchwardens. The church employs a variety of people to carry out its work and witness. In the compound, in addition to the church, there is a clinic, a shop with religious articles and books, a 12 as they are usually not eligible for the relief efforts provided to refugees. The diocese continues a long-honoured partnership with FRRME (Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East) to facilitate the work of St George’s. The medical clinic, though part of the holistic provision of the compound, is funded by the FRRME, whereas other aspects of St George’s are funded by or through the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. The clinic offers general medical services as well as a dentistry and a stem-cell machine. There is a pharmacy, a laboratory, and x-ray facilities. Education The St. George’s education program is what brings the most hope for the future of Iraq, and the Iraqi Christian population. For a few years St George’s has operated a Christian school dedicated to the Redeemer on the St George’s property. The existing well-established kindergarten and early-years school is being transformed into an establishment that takes children from babyhood and nursery age right through to the age of 11. Students come from all segments Currently, the project is moving ahead. The building of Iraqi society: Muslims, both Shi’i and Sunni, as permit was obtained a few months ago and work well as Christians, Yezidis, and others. This ministry commenced in late spring, with a view of finishing the is truly inclusive. ground floor in time to take in the first two grades of primary school in October. Work will continue on the At the same time it is a proudly Christian school with other two storeys with the hope of completion by next Christian staff. Parents, especially Muslim parents, October. Raising the money to complete this project have driven the call for expansion because they value is a great challenge. it so highly. The school is properly registered with the Iraqi Ministry of Education and is well known and St George’s received funding for the project both highly rated. from within the diocese and from outside. One main supporter is the SALT Foundation in the Netherlands. A The private kindergarten provides day care with an number of our parishes in the diocese are contributing educational emphasis. It is a great success, with also, as well as friends living elsewhere. So far more over 120 children enrolled year-round. For the past than $250,000 has been raised. The “grey” structure two years parents whose children have moved on to for the building is now completed and work has begun government primary school have been asking Father on walls and internal fittings, plumbing and electricity. Faiz to expand the scope of the school to include the first six years of primary school. In addition, there is now a new project for an ecumenical library and computer centre. Established by a Dutch group it provides a valuable resource for the education of the people of the city. Please pray for the people of St George’s and all who use what it has to offer: prayer, praise, and practical compassion. Bill Schwartz Photos: Bill Schwartz

13 ( The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa Africa Egypt & North

Since its beginning in 1839, the Diocese has been committed to serve others as Jesus did. We are committed to serving all people holistically, regardless of their religion or social status. Numerically we are small, but in this strategic part of the world, we have a great opportunity and responsibility to be ambassadors of our Lord Jesus, demonstrating in ‘Word and Deed’ what our faith means to us. The Diocese supports over 30 institutions which include hospitals, clinics, nurseries, schools, a theological seminary, micro-enterprise ventures, vocational Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf Tunisia and the disabled. The five goals of the Diocese are: to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Christ; to grow Christ’s church by making disciples and Algeria Libya Egypt equipping leaders; to serve our neighbours; to work for unity among all Christians; to Eritrea dialogue with other faith communities.

Support from The Jerusalem and Middle Djibouti

East Church Association (JMECA) to the Ethiopia Diocese in recent years has been directed to helping with mission work, ordination training for Egyptian candidates and medical outreach. Somalia

A new bishop for North A large contingent from Singapore was present for Africa – the service the opening, including the individual benefactor of ordination and who had made this possible. The centre is fully equipped with the latest technology in conference consecration of Dr Samy equipment that enables interconnected and efficient conferences to take place. The Fawzy Shehata, rooms are spacious and well Monday, appointed, and help to banish the image of church conferences in February 27th uncomfortable settings with poor 2017 equipment. Attending this new chapter in The second event took place the life of The Diocese of Egypt the following day in Alexandria with North Africa and the Horn of with the opening of the new Africa was a great and enjoyable purpose-built premises for the privilege for me, representing Alexandria School of Theology. JMECA at the occasion. The Both these developments are service of consecration formed highly significant for the future part of a weekend of celebrations of the Diocese and represent all marking new developments strategic use of partnerships to within the life of the Diocese. place it at the cutting edge of A new Conference centre has theology and hospitality, as its been built on the roof of the Cathedral offices, largely profile within the Anglican Communion continues to financed by the companion Diocese of Singapore. rise. The Alexandria School of Theology is part of a (Continues over page) 14 The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa Africa Egypt & North A new bishop for North Africa (continued from p14) new narrative of identity being created in the Diocese of Egypt, together with the , drawing on early African Christian models and turning away from the European. This is the context in which the consecration of Dr Samy Shehata took place. Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis I have known Samy for many years as we both serve on the Anglican-Oriental Orthodox International Theological Commission, the formal theological body which services the growing work with the Oriental Orthodox family of churches – Copts, Armenians, Syrians, Ethiopians, and Indians. Sami is also a theologian, and has served as the Dean of the After the address came speeches of welcome and Alexandria School of Theology. His consecration as congratulation from representatives of the Grand Area Bishop for North Africa is therefore a natural Mufti, Pope Tawadros, the Roman Catholic Church, choice and will serve the Diocese well. the Archbishop of Canterbury (delivered by Bishop Michael Lewis) Archbishop of the The service itself was a three-hour affair and Anglican Church in North America, Bishop Rennis combined the usual solemn invocation of the Holy Ponnia of Singapore, together with messages from Spirit (the Veni Creator) used at ordinations, with Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo of Sudan, from Egypt more informal moments, the exchange of greetings Diocese Association (Canon Huw Thomas) and and congratulations, and exuberant singing in JMECA (myself). Interestingly, the Archbishop of Arabic, often accompanied by ululations. There was Canterbury’s message mentioned twice the Anglican significant ecumenical and interfaith presence with Church of Egypt having an independent legal identity, representatives from all the mainstream churches and included the historical reference of being in Egypt, as well as representatives from Al Azhar grounded in the recognition given by Mohammad Ali University and the Grand Mufti of Egypt. Archbishop Pasha in the nineteenth century. Mouneer gave the address, in which he spoke about the role of the Bishop as shepherd, and gave five The whole ceremony was moving and long, and for illustrations – being known by the people and not me it was a first experience of Global South identity, spending too much time travelling out of the Diocese, which has become a defining quality of the Diocese leading from the front with the Good Shepherd as in Egypt. Old alliances fade, and new ones come into model for this, thirdly being ready to sacrifice himself prominence – not least in the financial and material for the sake of the flock, fourthly the shepherd leads support given amongst members of the Global South his people to abundant life, and fifthly and finally the alliance. Many of the churches of North Africa are a shepherd should look after the lost. This fifth and final historical footnote now in terms of their significance image is obviously a redolent one from the context of and importance- and perhaps this was a glimpse of the Middle East and North Africa, where people are the future as old alliances fade, and new forms of in desperate need of hope. global Christianity rise to prominence. The service was followed by a celebration dinner, at which representatives from the small Algerian Church prayed in Berber and offered Bishop Samy a traditional Algerian shepherd’s cloak. Sharing in the consecration of a new bishop for North Africa and this new chapter in the life of the Diocese in Egypt was indeed an eye- opening privilege. William Taylor Photos: William Taylor

15 The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa Africa Egypt & North Egypt Diocesan Association countries/languages from Afghanistan to Morocco, Turkey to Egypt, and had also worked with Operation – new chairman Mobilisation and Middle East Media. Canon Huw Thomas, MBE, EDA Chairman 2009- In 1988 Bill and his wife Hilary were selected as CMS 2017 has retired from the chair but, as Bishop’s mission partners to work with the (then) Islam in Africa Commissary, remains a committee member. He is Project based in Ibadan, Nigeria. While waiting, for followed as chair by Bishop Bill Musk who was elected nearly a year, for a visa that never materialised he at the AGM in June, 2017. worked in the CMS Personnel Department and did Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis The Rt Revd Dr Bill Musk research into mission partners’ service patterns. was Assistant Bishop Within the UK, Bill served for seven years as Team for North Africa in the Vicar of St Peter’s, Maghull and then for eleven years Anglican/Episcopal as Vicar of Holy Trinity and St Matthias, a multi-ethnic Diocese of Egypt with church in Tulse Hill, south London. North Africa & the Horn Bill is a well-known Islamicist and the author of several of Africa and also Rector books: The Unseen Face of Islam, Touching the Soul of St George’s Church, of Islam, Holy War, Kissing Cousins? and The Certainty Tunis from 2008 until his retirement at the end of 2015. Trap. Bill was ordained in 1981 and served for six-and-a- He and Hilary now live on the south coast of the UK. half years at All Saints’ Cathedral, Cairo in Egypt. They have four adult children and five grandchildren He had previously had responsibility within Living (so far!). Bibles International for its Middle East work, covering

Each unit costs GB£5,545 and with a total of six which Cairo Cathedral require replacing the total cost to the Diocese of Egypt will be GB£33,270 and this is only the start of work air conditioning: which needs to be undertaken. can you help? Bishop Mouneer wrote to JMECA requesting help Given the recent and horrific news of the Grenfell with the cost of this vital purchase and we were more Tower fire in London we were very concerned to hear of than willing to help. Given the urgency of replacing the a fire that broke out in All Saints’ Cathedral in Cairo on fire-damaged unit there was no time to run an appeal 23rd July, which started when an aged air conditioning and many of the funds held by JMECA are restricted unit caught fire. The incident happened during a visit in their allocation. However, in emergencies such as by the Rev Canon Hugh Wybrew (JMECA Director) these whether they be brought about by war, flood, who reported that there was a swift response from the fire or other Acts of God, JMECA can draw on funds police to the incident. from Legacies that have been generously donated by past supporters and invested and we were able to Unlike the UK, Egypt was experiencing a heatwave in transfer £5,545 immediately to fund the replacement July which is not uncommon for the summer months of the unit. in Cairo and so the Cathedral has to be equipped with air conditioning. The Cathedral was built in 1988 If you would like to join with us in supporting the and the current air conditioning was installed from Cathedral in its endeavour to provide a cool place of the outset to ensure worshippers and those attending worship and refuge, donations can be made online the Refugee Clinic, which it houses, can do so safely. to the Cairo Cathedral Air Conditioning Appeal here. Given that the heat is constant between June and Or if you are not in a position to donate at the moment September, the units have certainly been well used would you consider adding a codicil to your will over the past 29 years and have needed to be repaired and leaving a Legacy donation to JMECA which will on several occasions. This year they broke down support future emergencies in the dioceses? again and on this occasion one of the units caught Shirley Eason fire. Luckily it was possible to contain the fire but it has been deemed prudent, in the interests of health and safety, to replace all the units. 16 The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa Africa Egypt & North Bishop Grant LeMarquand resigns from the Horn of Africa Bishop Grant LeMarquand, Bishop of the Horn of Africa, has recently submitted his letter of resignation to the Diocese of Egypt. Sadly, he and his wife, Dr Wendy LeMarquand, are to return home to Canada Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis because she has become ill with an osteoporosis- significant and much appreciated contribution there. related disease and lung infections. The couple Bishop Grant hopes to maintain a connection with the have been in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, diocese. We hold them both in our prayers and wish Eritrea and Djibouti) since 2012 and have made a them well during this difficult time.

A Study Visit to Egypt? in the Anglican Church and beyond. In Cairo the tour will worship in the Cathedral and experience the The Egypt Diocesan Association (EDA) together work and outreach of the Diocese, as well as visiting with CMS are organising a study tour of Egypt not just the community of garbage pickers (Zabbaleen) who to see the gems of this colourful country – the Nile, worship in a cave church with a capacity for 20,000 the ancient bazaars of Cairo, the Pyramids and other people. extraordinary treasures of Pharaonic times. It is also a chance to see something of the life and witness of Egypt always seems to be in the news, often because Egyptian Christians, proudly present in this country of political unrest or attacks on local Christians. This since the time of the birth of Christ, and how they see visit will offer an opportunity to understand the lives their place as a minority in this country today. of Christians in Egypt and their relationships with their Muslim neighbours, and to be able to give focus The visits will not only be limited to the ancient Holy to our prayers for them, their country and the wider places, such as Abu Serga the 4th century church, Middle East. where the Holy Family were said to have stayed on the flight into Egypt and St Anthony’s monastery Do join us. And do consider joining the Egypt (born 251 AD), reputed to be the world’s oldest. More Diocesan Association and supporting the work of importantly visitors will be meeting today’s Christians the Diocese. and learning about their faith and service, and share in In addition to local some of their worship. In Alexandria, the tour will visit guides there are two the St Athanasius Campus of the School of Theology EDA tour leaders where ordinands and lay people are trained to serve accompanying the tour from the time you depart until the return, Dr Peter LeFeuvre who is an executive committee member of EDA and his wife Dr Sarah Montgomery, both are UK GPs in active clinical practice and CMS Mission Associates. Both spent 4 years as Mission Partners in North Africa within the Diocese of Egypt. Visited Egypt six times they undertook a medical assessment of the hospitals of the medical ministry, also conducted training for Family Medicine doctors in Cairo, Peter and Sarah have a thorough understanding of Islam and working between faiths. For further information, contact Joseph Wasef [email protected]

17 Diocese of Iran Iran

The Diocese of Iran remains one of the Bishop Azad Marshall Marshall Bishop Azad Canon Dr Guli Francis- most isolated dioceses in the Anglican Communion. Visits from outside are rare, Dehqani to be first yet the congregations in , Bishop of Loughborough and , though few in number continue The influence of the Diocese to meet each week with services led by of Iran continues in the deacons in each church. Church of England. In July it was announced that Canon A major development this year has been the Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani appointment of a new Vicar-General to succeed had been appointed first Bishop Azad Marshall who served as Bishop in Iran Bishop of Loughborough in and Vicar General from 2004 to April 2017. In August the Diocese of Leicester. Guli is the youngest daughter he was installed as Bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan. of the late Bishop Hassan and Mrs Margaret Dehqani- He has not been able to live in Iran but over thirteen Tafti. Bishop Hassan was the first Iranian Bishop in Iran years has visited as frequently as he could to provide for many centuries and the first President Bishop of encouragement and advice. the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Her At the Provincial Synod in May older brother Bahram was murdered in May 1980. In the Revd Dr Albert Walters was a message to the Annual Conference of the Friends elected Vicar General for Iran. of the Diocese of Iran, Guli wrote: He is from Malaysia and has long ‘At a time when many Persians are exploring Christianity experience of pastoral ministry, in this country and coming to faith it is very important Christian-Muslim encounter and for me that I can represent the Diocese of Iran and dialogue and theological teaching, most recently as help keep it in the forefront of our prayers. The church Principal of St. Andrew’s Theological College, Dhaka, in Iran has felt very close over these past few months Bangla Desh. He gained his doctorate in Islamic as indeed have my dear parents. A few weeks ago I Studies from Birmingham University. He is awaiting found my father’s episcopal ring which my mother had permission from the Iranian authorities to live in Iran. placed in a box and left for me when she died with the Do hold him and the congregations in Iran in your following inscription: prayers. “Hassan’s ring and his ‘mantle’, very appropriately and at his wish, now belong to Guli who carries on the Prayers for Iran ordained ministry which he was in”. There then follows a quote from 2 Kings 2.14-15: O merciful God, who in sending your Son into the world granted unto certain Magi from the East the “And Elisha took up also the mantle of Elijah… and honour of admission to the presence of the blessed the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha”. It’s almost as babe; grant that the Persians of this century, may enter if she knew! It is tremendously humbling but also a into the holy inheritance of their forefathers and bow real source of encouragement for me. I shall wear my before him who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and father’s ring, and his pectoral cross (in the shape of rules, one God for ever. Amen the Persian cross) with delight, pride and a great sense of responsibility’. Our Father, who called people from Iran to witness on the day of Pentecost the sending of your Spirit upon the Apostles, grant that Persians of today, finding strength and comfort from the Holy Spirit, may be active and fruitful in your service, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

18

Obituaries

Mrs Fawzia Ghais Malek

We recently received the following notice from Cairo: Mrs Fawzia Ghais Malek, the wife of the late Bishop Ghais Malek has passed away. She has been a faithful servant of the Lord, very supportive wife and a great mother. She will be greatly missed by the whole church here in Egypt. Please pray for the family and her many friends. The Thanksgiving service will be held at All Saints Cathedral Zamalek, Cairo at 2pm Friday the 1st of September.

The Venerable Howard Levett Howard Levett who died on He became an invaluable lieutenant to Bishop Ghais 13 December 2016 aged and set about tackling administrative reforms to 72 was a valued member of ensure a sound future for the diocese. the JMECA Council and its On return from Egypt he became vicar of St Alban Standing Committee from 1994 the Martyr, Holborn, whose centre was to host many contributing from his experience and knowledge of of the JMECA Committee meetings. On retirement the Diocese of Egypt and the wider province. in 2010 he took on the chaplaincy in Venice and Born and brought up in Blackburn he was ordained Trieste until 2015, when he was diagnosed with a in 1968 and served in several tough inner-city melanoma (which he blamed on the Egyptian sun), parishes in South London. In 1980 he was invited and then left Venice to return to live in Rotherhithe, to take sabbatical leave as temporary Chaplain in where he had served his title. Alexandria. So effective was he that he was invited Howard was a larger than life personality. He held back as permanent chaplain, which he agreed to strong opinions which he expressed with clarity and take on for a few years which eventually extended often with humour. He was serious about his faith to fourteen. He also served as Archdeacon in Egypt and was a hardworking and notable chaplain and and North Africa, and as secretary to the Provincial parish priest. Synod. He retained his membership of JMECA Committees On the retirement of Bishop Ishaq Musaad, Howard until his death, and even when unable to attend sent had to oversee the transition period of election instructive emails on agenda issues. JMECA was and installation of Bishop Ghais Abd-el Malik. He well represented at his requiem funeral which was declined to be a candidate, believing that it was attended by nine . important that another Egyptian should be elected emphasising the indigenous nature of the diocese.

Monty Rose Hostel and for his book Armenians of Jerusalem. In 1974 they went to live at the Ecumenical Institute We are saddened to learn that Monty Rose for Theological Research at Tantur near Bethlehem (originally Montagu Lucy Buxton) died in England and then after two years moved to England to Long on 18th December, 2016 aged 89 after suffering with Wittenham near Oxford. When John died in 1996 Leukaemia. Monty was secretary to the Archbishop Monty moved to nearby Wallingford. Monty and in Jerusalem for twelve years from 1962 to 1974. John Rose were very well known in Jerusalem in In 1965 she married John Rose, the Warden of St the 1960s and 70s and contributed enormously to George’s Hostel, in St. George’s Cathedral. John the life of St. George’s Cathedral Close during those was well known for his efficient management of the years. May they both rest in peace.

19

A War Without Chocolate – One woman’s journey through two nations, three wars and four children Betty Dagher Majaj

First Printing, 2015. Available from Amazon.

Betty Dagher Majaj is a member of the congregation at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem and this book is the story of her extraordinary life. A lively and engaging account of the events she and her family lived through during the twentieth century, it shows how they survived the upheaval, challenge and trauma of several wars. The book covers Betty’s early life in Lebanon and then the many years she has spent living in Jerusalem. Her accrued wisdom and faith shine through on every page. It’s well worth reading. Betty Dagher was born in 1926 near and the opening parts of the book cover her early life and the happy times she spent with her family there. From an and Amin eventually had four other children who all early age she felt committed to helping people and contribute memories of their father at the end of the later trained as a nurse at the American University of book. Beirut. Her future husband, Amin Majaj (a well-known doctor and skilled violinist) came from Jerusalem One of the chapters, of course, covers Betty’s time

Book Reviews Book Reviews and after their marriage in Beirut in 1947 they went to as Director of the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre live there with his family. Betty tells of the challenges for Disabled Children on the Mount of Olives. This she faced as she left home and travelled south to had begun in the 1960s and in 1983 (because she completely new circumstances. Then the war of 1948 was so well known and respected) Betty was invited broke out and Jerusalem was divided. Betty relates to become leader. With her skills and experience as some of the problems and difficulties faced by the a nurse and her commitment and dedication, she local communities. led the Centre until she retired in 2012. The Princess Basma Centre and Betty Majaj became synonymous A substantial part of the book concerns Amin’s during those years and she turned the institution significant career in the medical profession. He around to become what it is today. Her years of hard rose to international fame and was highly respected work and fundraising certainly paid off and make around the world. As a paediatrician, he visited many fascinating reading. countries contributing to international conferences and gaining wide respect. He worked in a small Anyone interested in the Middle East and especially hospital in Bethany but was later Medical Director of in the history of Jerusalem in the last century will find the children’s ward at the Augusta Victoria Hospital this book gripping. Its great strength is the personal on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. He was also aspect: far from being an objective history, it is written politically involved as a member of the Jordanian by someone who herself lived through all the events parliament and acting Mayor of East Jerusalem. He described. And Betty’s faith in God has clearly been received many awards including being made a Lay strengthened over the years by even the toughest Canon at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. experiences. Betty’s account of her experiences during the Six Day Stephen Need War in 1967 is particularly moving. The family survived the ordeal and came through a series of events that changed the feel of the city as well as of their own From the book jacket: lives. This war, though short-lived, was a crisis for ‘Betty Majaj met every challenge thrown at her the Palestinians. Betty writes of getting supplies through decades of war, political unrest, and beforehand and comments that, ‘a war without political violence with remarkable courage and chocolate would be unbearable’ (p.167). Then there determination. As a wife, mother, and nurse, she is a was the war in Lebanon in the 1980s which brought role model that will inspire women for generations.’ similar horrors to Betty’s family there. Dixiane Hallaj Following the sad death of their first child, Betty 20 Book Reviews Celebrating 60 Years – The Middle East Centre at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford

Many readers of Bible Lands will know of the Middle with a concert East Centre at St. Anthony’s College Oxford. Founded given by The in 1957, it holds the archive for JMECA including all Oxford Maqam, the back copies of Bible Lands. The collection is a chamber the major source of information on the history and ensemble development of the Anglican Church in the Middle playing Arab East since the beginning. and Turkish music. This year the Centre celebrates it sixtieth anniversary and to mark the occasion held a conference at St. Also, as part Anthony’s on the 15th and 16th September entitled of the sixtieth ‘Oxford Middle East Studies at 60’. It included a variety celebration, of elements. The event opened with presentations on the Centre has the work of Albert Hourani who founded and developed published A Book of Record compiled and edited the Centre. Reflections from a number of participants by Eugene Rogan, Director of the Centre. The book on the work of the Centre over sixty years were then documents aspects of the history of the Centre followed by presentations on Israel and Palestine, and records names of administrators, researchers, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, the Gulf, and Africa. Other students and prizes awarded. (Available from the papers focused on special themes such as social Centre.) and legal transformation, tolerance and co-existence, It is good to see the work of the Middle East Centre and culture and society. The conference ended celebrated in these ways.

Unexpected Grace – A life in Two Worlds Farifteh V. Robb

Great Writing Publications, 2017. Print on demand and available from Amazon – ISBN 978-0996516891.

On 5 May, 1978 in St Paul’s Church Tehran Miss Farifteh Hafezi (now Robb) was baptised and Church and an confirmed by the Rt. Revd Hassan Dehqani-Tafti, accomplished Bishop in Iran. It was the culmination of a long and viola player. unusual journey to Christian faith. Written to explain Her journey to her unusual life and background for her children and Christian faith grandchildren, this is a captivating, vibrant and highly took her via readable account of that journey and her life as a participation in Christian in two cultures. the welcoming Born in Geneva to an Iranian Muslim family, and warmth of educated at an international Swiss school becoming the Methodist trilingual in Farsi, English and French she graduated Student Society and Church in Nottingham, from Tehran University in English literature before experience of Roman Catholicism (including time in earning a doctorate on the romantic poets from a convent and experience of the Ignatian Spiritual Nottingham University. Returning as a university Exercises in Wales as part of her doctoral researches lecturer to Tehran, her baptism took place nine months into the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins) to a spiritual before the turmoil of the Islamic Revolution obliged home in the Anglican/Episcopal Church. her to leave the country for Britain, where, with no job In writing for her family the book introduces Iranian prospects she changed career to train as a nurse/ culture, customs, religion and cuisine – as well midwife. During that time she renewed friendship as outlining the story of and with a Scottish orthopaedic surgeon (‘the man of my developments since the Revolution. dreams’) now her husband and moved to Edinburgh where she is an active member of the Scottish Episcopal John Clark 21 Praying round the Province The Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, home to the three Abrahamic faiths and the centre of the world’s political conflicts, asks for your prayers.

1st The Presiding Bishop of the Province, The Most Revd Suheil Dawani. THE DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM 2nd The Archbishop, Most Revd Suheil Dawani and his wife Shafeeqa. For wisdom as he leads the church in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. His administrative staff and Very Revd Canon Hosam Naoum, Dean of the cathedral. 3rd The clergy serving the parishes and institutions in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon and the congregations who keep the faith and sustain the churches in troubled times. 4th The hospitals and centres that tend the sick: Diabetic Clinic , St Luke’s Nablus, Alhi Arab hospital Gaza, Penman Clinic Zebabdeh. 5th The schools that prepare the next generation: St George’s Jerusalem, the International School Jerusalem, Arab Episcopal School Ramallah, Vocational Training Centre Ramallah, Christ’s School Nazareth, St John’s School Haifa, The Ahliyyah School for Girls, the Bishop’s Kindergarten and the Bishop’s School for Boys Amman, The Schneller Vocational Training Institute Amman, St Saviour’s School Zerqa, St John Baptist School for Integration of the Blind Irbid, St George’s School Lod. 6th The centres of healing: Princess Basma Centre for Disabled Children Jerusalem, Holy Land Institute for the Deaf Salt, The Jofeh Community Rehabilitation Centre Jordan Valley, The Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf Beirut, St Luke’s Centre for the Mentally Disabled Beirut, the Home for the Elderly Amman, The Episcopal Home for Children Ramallah. 7th The guest houses that provide hospitality and refreshment for pilgrims and all visitors: St George’s Jerusalem, St Margaret’s Nazareth, St Andrew’s Ramallah, Schneller Institute Amman and Christ Church Jerusalem. 8th The peace work: the Peace and Reconciliation Movement, Kids4Peace, Sabeel and the people from all sides who seek peace and pursue it. 9th The international courses at St George’s College Jerusalem, the Interim Dean, Revd Richard LeSueur and the Course Director, Revd Dr Hector Patmore. Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all thy people the true love of peace. THE DIOCESE OF IRAN 10th The Clergy, Revd Christopher Edgar and others who take leadership roles. Wisdom for those who seek the new bishop. 11th The political leadership of the nation. The well being of all people in Iran. 12th The congregations of the Episcopal Church in Isfahan, Tehran, Shiraz and Julfa. The cities where congregations have worshipped in past years – , Yezd, Ahwaz. 13th All involved in ministry among Iranians through media,literature, witness and leadership training. 14th The Diaspora of Iranian Christians scattered in many nations. Guide with thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity thy kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love.

22 Praying round the Province Blessed Lord, who faced the time of trial have mercy on our failings and out of our weakness bring your strength.

THE DIOCESE OF CYPRUS AND THE GULF 15th The Bishop, Rt Revd Michael Lewis and his wife Julia. His Administrative staff. 16th The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Nicosia, Very Revd Jeremy Crocker. The Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral Bahrain, Very Revd Christopher Butt. 17th The Archdeacon in the Gulf, Ven Bill Schwartz and his wife Edith. The Archdeacon in Cyprus, Ven Dr John Holdsworth and his wife Sue. 18th The clergy of Cyprus serving the people of Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Ayia Nape, Paphos, Famagusta and for the faithful who serve those churches, the work of the Katafiyio Retreat House. 19th The clergy of the Gulf, serving the people of Dubai, Sharjah, Oman, Jebel Ali, Ras al Khaimeh, Aden, and the scattered congregations of the Arabian Peninsular who keep the faith privately. 20th The church in Qatar, and for Father Paul Davies, who leads the mission of the Epiphany Centre. 21st The congregation of Baghdad, led by Reverend Faiz Jerjas. The people of Iraq, of all faiths, and all the Iraqi Christians who are sheltering in other lands. 22nd The political leaders of the ten jurisdictions, in Cyprus, in Iraq and in the Gulf States, that all may seek and make just and stable governments. Almighty and everlasting God, creator and giver of all good gifts, mercifully hear our prayers and grant to this diocese all things needful for its welfare. DIOCESE OF EGYPT with N.AFRICA and THE HORN OF AFRICA 23rd The Bishop, Most Revd Dr Mouneer Anis and his wife, Nancy. 24th North Africa, for all those who have borne brave witness in Libya. 25th The Ethiopian mission, the Bishop in the Horn of Africa, Rt Revd Canon Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata and his wife and all who seek to build a serving church. 26th The clergy who serve the church day by day in Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the congregations who sustain them. 27th The Institutions that serve the community: The Harpur Hospital in Cairo, Health Centre in Sadat City, the Episcopal School Menouf, the work with the deaf, with refugees, with prisoners and in other areas of welfare and social need. 28th The Theological School in Alexandria with its Principal, Rt Revd Canon Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata, all his staff and students, that it may be a place of sound learning and good fellowship. 29th The political leaders of the many and diverse nations that form the diocese, that Government may be just and sound. Strengthen the faithful, protect the children, comfort the sick, uplift the fallen bring us all to be of one heart and one mind within the fellowship of thy holy church. *** 30th The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association, its Chairman Mr Huw Thomas, the chair of Standing Committee Mr John Clark, the Administrator Mrs Shirley Eason and all whose gifts, past and present, sustain it.

23 Spain Turkey

6 14 2 3 1 15 Afghanistan Morocco 4 13

5 7 8 16

17 18 Pakistan

19

The Four Dioceses Sudan 20 Jerusalem Egypt & North Africa Bishop Suheil Dawani Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis 9 1. Palestine & Israel 5. Algeria 21 2. Lebanon 6. Tunisia 3. Syria 7. Libya 4. Jordan 8. Egypt 11 The 9. Eritrea Cyprus and the Gulf 10. Ethiopia Bishop Michael Lewis 11. Djibouti 10 Anglican 14. Cyprus 12. Somalia 15. Iraq 16. Kuwait Iran Province 17. Bahrain Bishop Azad Marshall 12 18. Qatar 13. Iran of Jerusalem and 19. United Arab Emirates 20. Oman Kenya the Middle East 21. Yemen