A providential encounter several months ago between the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf and Harry Bearn (Leading Hand) serving in the Royal Navy on Bahrain at the time led to an invitation from the Chaplain that an episcopal visit take place on the Feast Day of St Paul.
Last Sunday’s Patronal Festival at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Monaco, was a memorable occasion, marked by history, celebration and fellowship.
The day’s proceedings began with the formal dedication of the beautifully restored Vestry window, which has now been named The Damascus Window. The dedication was led by none other than the Right Reverend Sean Semple, Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf.
Joining the Bishop were your esteemed Churchwardens, our stalwart parishioner Nick Byrne, together with the gifted artisans, Adeline and Anthony of Terre de Verre, whose meticulous craftsmanship has returned the window to its finest glory. Their dedication has preserved an important part of St Paul’s heritage for generations to come.
It was particularly fitting that this dedication took place on St Paul’s Patronal Festival. The name The Damascus Window carries profound significance. It was on the Road to Damascus that Saul encountered the risen Christ in a life-changing moment that transformed the fierce persecutor of Christians into Paul the Apostle, one of Christianity’s greatest missionaries and the author of much of the New Testament. The Road to Damascus symbolises conversion, renewal, hope and divine calling—values that continue to inspire the life and mission of St Paul’s Church today. The newly dedicated window therefore stands not only as a work of restored beauty, but also as a lasting reminder that faith has the power to transform lives.
The Eucharist then proceeded in the usual manner, enriched by the full complement of our choir. The service opened magnificently with our own Errol Girdlestone’s stirring musical composition dedicated to the Principality of Monaco, setting a joyful and uplifting tone for the celebrations.
Following the service, Bishop Sean joined the congregation in the English Library, where he generously spent time meeting parishioners and discussing life within the wider Anglican Communion. During this gathering, he presented St Paul’s with a particularly moving gift: a beautiful ceramic tile from Jerusalem bearing the Lord’s Prayer written in Arabic. It serves as a powerful reminder of both the Christian heritage of the Holy Land and the universal nature of the Church.
Many parishioners were fascinated to hear the Bishop describe the unique challenges and privileges of ministering throughout the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. Covering an immense geographical area stretching across numerous countries and cultures, it is the second largest diocese in the Anglican Communion by geographical area. His reflections offered a rare insight into the delicate balance of nurturing Anglican worship while respecting the diverse religious, cultural and political landscapes in which the Church faithfully serves.
The celebrations concluded with a splendid lunch at the Yacht Club de Monaco, kindly hosted by our esteemed Churchwarden, Mrs Patricia Groom. In relaxed surroundings overlooking Port Hercule, conversation continued as the Bishop shared further stories of his ministry, his travels throughout the Gulf, and the remarkable work being undertaken across one of Anglicanism’s most geographically expansive dioceses.
It was a Patronal Festival rich in symbolism, friendship and thanksgiving—a day that celebrated not only the restoration of a beautiful window, but also the enduring mission of St Paul’s Monaco: welcoming all, serving faithfully, and continuing the journey that began so many centuries ago on the Road to Damascus.
