More than 100 representatives of various Christian faith are coming together this week for a special three-day ‘synod’, the key feature of which will be a service at sea – the first-ever of its kind in Bahrain.
The synod – a formal gathering of church officials to discuss, deliberate and advise on matters of doctrine, administration and church life – will take place alongside a celebration of the 50-year golden jubilee of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.
“The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf was formed 50 years ago and it’s a real honour to host our synod in Bahrain for the first time ever,” St Christopher’s Cathedral Council chair David Axtell told the GDN.
“We’re delighted to welcome all our international partners to Bahrain for the first time and showcase the traditional hospitality that we love.
“We’re also hoping to use the special occasion of the jubilee celebrations to highlight the warm co-habitation of faiths from which we uniquely benefit, thanks to His Majesty King Hamad.”
The synod will begin today at 3.30pm at the St Chrisopher’s Cathedral with an opening eucharist – the central act of Christian worship and a sacrament, also called Holy Communion or the Mass.
A jubilee dinner, organised in collaboration with This Is Bahrain – the kingdom-based NGO and national initiative, established in 2014, dedicated to showcasing the country’s cultural diversity, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence – will also take place this evening at the Gulf Convention Centre, in the presence of Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi.
“This Is Bahrain is honoured to host the gala dinner for this celebration and we congratulate The Right Reverend Sean Semple and all the congregations and clergies of the Diocese,” This is Bahrain chairperson Betsy Mathieson told the GDN. “We’d also like to thank His Majesty for allowing us to practise our faith freely and safely in Bahrain.
“The decision to host the synod in Bahrain, and welcome more than 100 delegates from 20 countries, is a testament to His Majesty’s stance on religious freedom.”
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