From Mr Nigel Speller
Sir, — What a pity that the interesting history of Anglicans in Cyprus (Features, 20 August), which referred to likely visitors to the island this year, did not go into more detail about the current Anglican presence there.
In all the main resorts, visitors will find flourishing Anglican churches with regular and growing congregations, who will welcome visitors. These churches are part of the Anglican diocese in Cyprus & the Gulf, with their own Bishop based at Nicosia, in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The diocese includes churches from Baghdad to Aden, including the southern parts of the Gulf.
Many of these congregations are expatriate workers, and the churches are filled every weekend, with a series of services.
The diocese is linked with the diocese of Exeter, and in turn each overseas chaplaincy has a UK link with a deanery in Devon. Over the years, there have been youth pilgrimages overseas and locum duty has been done by Devon clergy. There is an annual meeting in Exeter with a speaker from overseas.
Additionally, there is an Association of Friends based in the UK, which unites people with an interest in the diocese. It publishes a Newsletter and holds an annual meeting at All Hallows’ by the Tower in London, details from Mgbbmw@aol.com.
I hope, too, that Charles Potts would approve.
NIGEL SPELLER
Exeter Diocese Liaison Group with
Cyprus & the Gulf
Hillhead Orchard
Hillhead, Colyton EX24 6NJ
letters@churchtimes.co.uk