LATEST
THURSDAY 3 jULY 2025
APHELION AT 20.54 pm
Aphelion is the point in the orbit when the earth is at its furthest distance from the sun.
_____________________________
PETERTIDE ORDINATIONS
SATURDAY 28 jUNE 2025
An Ordination of one of our Chaplains by The Right Reverend Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth
Bishop Cherry Vann
Bishop Cherry "laying on hands" The Bishop's Blessing Assisting the Bishop
Ꚛ _____________________________ Ꚛ
ARMED FORCES DAY - 28 jUNE 2025
DIWRNOD Y LLUOEDD ARFOG
ARMED FORCES DAY
DEWCH I GEFNOG
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
We have numerous Knights and Dames serving with or veterans of UK Armed Forces and we support and encourage them EVERY day and not just on Armed Forces Day each year.
GOD SAVE THE KING
____________________________________________________________
SUMMER SOLSTICE - SUNDAY - 21 JUNE 2025
Summer begins - sunrise at Stonehenge
TRINITY SUNDAY - 15 May 2025
The celebration of the Holy Trinity on this important Christian festival day is best summed up in the words of the great hymn: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty":
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
The writer of this hymn, Reginald Heber (1783-1826), was born into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English verse by the time he was seven and entering Oxford University at 17. He won two awards for his poetry during his time there. After graduation he became rector of his father's church in the village of Hodnet near Shrewsbury in the west of England where he remained for 16 years. He was appointed Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and worked there tirelessly for three years until the weather and travel took its toll on his health and he died of a stroke. Most of his 57 hymns, which include "Holy, Holy, Holy," are still in use today.
The usual tune, NICAEA, is named after the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), convened in the town of Nicaea in Bithynia, at which church leaders formulated a consensus of belief and practice amongst Christians concerning the doctrine of the Trinity in order to oppose the heresies of Arius. The result was the well-known Nicene Creed, a document passed down through the ages as one of the pillars of church doctrine. The primary function of this creed was to establish a firm belief in the Trinity, countering Arius, who believed that Jesus was not fully divine and was neither the Creator of all things, nor “being of one substance with the Father …”, as the creed puts it so neatly.
The Nicene Creed inspired Reginald Heber to write this great hymn of praise to the Triune God, with the intent that the hymn be sung before or after the creed was recited in church services, and especially on Trinity Sunday – eight weeks after Easter.
The tune for this hymn is one of the finest composed by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) in recognition of Heber's text. The words evoke a sense of awe at the majesty of God and call on all of creation - humans, saints and angels and all living things - to praise the non-divisibility unity of God, three-in-one and one-in-three.
New Knights and Dames, seeking to be admitted to the Grand Priory of All Britain at their Investiture, recite the Nicene Creed before kneeling to receive the accolade from the Grand Prior.
____________________________________________________________
SUNDAY : 8 JUNE 2025
PENTECOST
Pentecost is the "Birthday" of the Christian Church. In the Bible (Second Chapter of Acts) the writer recorded this event:
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
7Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out My Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days,
19I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness,
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’
22Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. 23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. 24But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.
25David says about Him:
‘I sawf the Lord always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will dwell in hope,
27because You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’
29Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.
33Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
35until I make Your enemies
a footstool for Your feet.” ’i
36Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
One of the traditional hymns sung at this time is "VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS". Here are the verses in the four languages of the Grand Priory of All Britain - English, Welsh, Scots and Irish:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
O gynorthwyydd oddi fry,
Rhodd werthfawrocaf Duw wyt ti:
Ffynhonnell bywyd, dwyfol dân
Eneinia ni â’th Ysbryd Glân.
Fada bhuain iomain ar nàmh
Agus builich sa bhad do ghràs
Ò, treòraich sinn, a Cheannaird àird
Bho bhuaidh gach beud agus cràdh.
Go dtí dhíot gurb aithnid dúinn
An t-AthairMhac, a Spioraid, a rún,
Tú leo an Triúr i n-éinphearsa
Creidimis ionaibh tré bhiotha na mbeatha.
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
____________
Here are all the verses in English:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee of both to be but One,
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
__________________________________________
THURSDAY 29 MAY 2025
ASCENSION DAY
The Ascension - Being witnesses of Christ
Today we celebrate the Ascension to heaven of the Lord Jesus. This is when Our Lord and Saviour, after having finished his ministry here on earth, until he comes again in glory, returned to His Father in Heaven. Let us look at what God's word in the Holy Gospel is telling us today:
Mark 16:15-20 (NIV)
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
The Gospel today seems to be focused more upon the apostles going out and spreading the Holy Gospel, than it does about Jesus going up to The Father. As Jesus goes to his Father, the message to us is that we all must take over the spreading of Our Lord's Gospel now, and that we need to be witnesses to him. We are all called to share that which we have received, and to speak of what we have seen and heard.
We witness to Jesus in our lives in many ways. This includes by prayer, by reading and spreading the Gospel and in our service to others with Christ’s love. Prayer is our time to be in personal touch with God who is constantly reaching out to us. The Gospel feeds our souls, our minds, and our spirits. It is a daily opening to the true words and deeds of Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour. Our service in the Love of Christ to others, brings us to witness in the true way; the care of God as we give and receive care for each other.
NEW PRESENCE: This is what we give to our ascended Lord and is also what we receive from him. The Word of God is the divine word of truth and salvation, spoken in our human words. All of our time in prayer with God is the linking of heaven and of earth, and we are each sharers in his divinity as we are in Jesus and Jesus is also in us. He has shared in our humanity. Far from being the absence of Jesus, it is his presence in a new way among us.
Indeed, Our Lord Jesus has gone back to The Father to make a heavenly place for us, and will return in Glory to bring us home. Until then, we are all called to continue our Lord's ministry here upon the earth. We are, as it seems, the only 'Jesus' that now can be seen, through our witnessing of him in our lives to others.
Are you being a true witness of Christ in your life?
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, before your Ascension into heaven you told your apostles to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit. May we be similarly inspired to spread your Gospel message in word and deed, according to your will for us. And may we do so prudently and joyfully, with your help, your guidance, and your grace! And remembering this glorious event, help us to seek what is above - Heaven - where you are seating at the right hand of God the Father!
Amen.
__________________________________________
FRIDAY 16 MAY 2025
We held an Investiture an Investiture for our Grand Priory of England at Hereford Cathedral. This was followed by our 9th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Thomas Cantilupe.
Some further details and photographs will be uploaded in due course.
__________________________________________
8 MAY 2025
VE day
_________________________________
23 APRIL 2025
St George's Day
St George of Svipi in Georgia
St George, Saint and Martyr is the Patron Saint of England.
St George is also the patron saint of many other countries and organisations.
The traditional flag of St George
_________________________________
21 April 2025
EaSTer TUESday
© Photograph: Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, presides over the rite of certification of the death of Pope Francis in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.
___________________________
21 April 2025
EaSTer MONday
HE HaS GONE HOME
At 7.35am local time the death was announced by the Vatican of
His Holiness Pope Francis.
(More about Pope Francis will be shown on the menu page below)
___________________________
20 April 2025
EaSTer day
EASTER SUNDAY EVENING
31 March 2024
Here is the account in the Holy Bible of the first Easter Evening from the Gospel according to St Luke, Chapter 24, verses 13-49.
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!
Χριστός ἀνέστη!
Khristós Anésti!
________________________
12.00 Noon at St Peter's Square, Rome.
His Holiness Pope Francis delivers the traditional Easter Blessing:
URBI ET ORBI
"Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" said the Pope, before an aide read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an end of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
"May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war,
his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts
aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”
___________________________
ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!
Χριστός ἀνέστη!
Khristós Anésti!
HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!!
Ἀληθῶς ανέστη!
Alithós Anésti!
Here is the account in the Holy Bible of the first Easter Morning from the Gospel according to St John, Chapter 20, verses 1-18.
The Empty Tomb
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him,
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
[John 3: 16]
Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die."
[John 11:25-26]
A Prayer:
Lord God, the resurrection of Jesus
gives us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
the will to want to do it,
the courage to undertake it,
the perseverance to continue to do it,
and the strength to complete it.
Amen.
Christ Crucified is God’s Power and Wisdom:
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
Ꚛ _____________________________ Ꚛ
19 April 2025
HOLY WEEK - HOLY SATURDAY
† ‡ †
The bodies of Jesus and the two criminals had been removed and their crosses were 'empty'.
The Biblical account of first Good Friday evening and Holy Saturday:
That Friday evening Joseph of Arimathaea, a member of the Jewish Governing Council but also a follower of Jesus, asked Pilate if he might have Jesus’ body. Once Pilate had given permission, the body was taken down from the cross and wrapped in a linen sheet. Then it was laid in a tomb cut out of the rock, which Joseph had prepared for himself, and a large stone was rolled in front of it. Some of the women who had witnessed the crucifixion watched over the grave.
The Jewish leaders asked Pilate if they could protect the tomb with a guard, lest the disciples should come, steal the body and then falsely claim that Jesus had risen from the dead. Pilate agreed to their request, and the tomb was sealed and guarded.
Here is a provocative and disturbing poem entitled "The Armaments Factory Worker" composed by the young Karol Wojtyla (pronounced Woi-tee-wa), long before he became Pope John-Paul II, when he was forced to work in such a factory under the then Communist regime in Poland when it was part of the USSR. And it carries a message today to all those involved in the invasion of Ukraine and elsewhere in the world - whether they are high Political Leaders, Armed Forces Commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers or other ranks in all the Services. If War Crimes are committed all are equally guilty:
I cannot influence the fate of the globe
Do I start wars? How can I know
whether I'm for or against?
It worries me not to have influence,
that it is not I who sin.
I only turn screws, weld together
parts of destruction,
never grasping the whole,
or the human lot.
I could do otherwise (would parts be left out?)
contributing then to sacrificial toil
which no one would blot out in action
or belie in speech.
Though what I create is all wrong,
the world's evil is none of my doing.
But is that enough?
† ‡†
Ꚛ __________________ ___________ Ꚛ
18 April 2025
HOLY WEEK - GOOD FRIDAY
When I survey the wondrous cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died,
my richest gain I count as loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down:
did e'r such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!
Words: Isaac Watts
______
The events of the first Good Friday
During the night Jesus’ guards insulted and tormented him. They blindfolded and beat him, saying mockingly: ‘If you are a prophet, tell us who hit you’. When morning came Jesus was brought before the Jewish Governing Council, which consisted of the chief priests, elders and teachers of the Law. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ His reply, ‘It is you who say that I am’, was regarded as sufficient evidence for his condemnation for blasphemy. He was taken before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, and accused of claiming to be King of the Jews and thus of subverting Roman rule. After interrogating him Pilate concluded he had done nothing wrong, and was inclined to release him. When however he discovered that Jesus came from Galilee, he sent him to be judged by the ruler of that province, Herod son of Herod the Great, who happened to be in Jerusalem.
Herod had heard a great deal about Jesus and had long wanted to meet him. He questioned him at length, but Jesus refused to reply. Eventually Herod sent him back to Pilate arrayed in a gorgeous robe, thereby making up a quarrel between them.
Pilate still believed that Jesus was being falsely accused, and his wife sent him a message to the same effect. So he decided to take advantage of a custom by which a prisoner chosen by the people was released at Passover-tide. He was holding another well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas, and he asked the crowd which had gathered: ‘Which one would you like me to release - Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ The chief priests and elders had worked on the crowd, so they responded ‘Barabbas’. ‘What then am I to do with Jesus called Messiah?’ asked Pilate. The reply came repeatedly and with increasing emphasis: ‘Crucify him!’
When Pilate saw that his efforts to save Jesus were fruitless, and that there was a danger of a riot breaking out, he took water and washed his hands, saying; ‘My hands are clean of this man’s blood.’ He released Barabbas and had Jesus flogged; then he handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers made sport of him, stripping him, dressing him in a scarlet cloak, and putting a reed in his hand, like a royal sceptre, and a crown of thorns on his head.
They paid him mock homage, spat upon him, and beat him. Then they put on his clothes again, and led him away.
(see: Luke 22.63 - 23.12; Matthew 27.15 - 31)
The Crucifixion
By then Jesus was too weak to carry his cross to the place of execution, so the soldiers compelled a man named Simon from Cyrene in North Africa to carry it for him. Among the great crowd which followed him were many women, who wept for him. Jesus told them to weep for themselves and for their children because dreadful times were coming.
When they reached the place called ‘The Skull’ the soldiers crucified him and two criminals, one of them on his right and one on his left.
Jesus said: ‘Father forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ Above his head was an inscription saying ‘The King of the Jews’. The soldiers shared out his clothes by casting lots; they and the crowd, which included Jewish leaders, jeered at him, saying: ‘He saved other people; now let him save himself if he really is God’s chosen Messiah’. Even one of the criminals crucified with him joined in the taunting; but the other reproached him, saying: ‘We are getting what we deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong’. Then he said to Jesus: ‘Remember me when you inherit your kingdom’. Jesus replied: ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise’
From midday darkness fell until three o’clock in the afternoon. Then Jesus shouted: ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ Some of the bystanders thought he was calling upon Elijah; one of them offered him wine in a sponge held on the end of a stick, and said: ‘Let’s see if Elijah will come and help him’. Jesus then gave another loud cry and died; and at that very moment the curtain dividing the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple building was torn in two. When the Roman officer who had supervised the execution saw how Jesus had died he said: ‘This man was really God’s Son.'
The day was a Friday, the eve of the Sabbath, and the Jews were anxious that the bodies should not remain on the crosses once the Sabbath had begun. Pilate therefore agreed that the legs of the condemned men should be broken, to hasten their deaths. This was done in the cases of the two criminals but when the soldiers came to Jesus they found he was already dead. They did not break his legs, but one of them thrust a spear into his side, causing a flow of blood and water.
(see: Luke 23.26 - 43; Mark 15.33 - 39; John 19.31 - 37)
Ꚛ ______________________________________________ Ꚛ
17 April 2025
HOLY WEEK - MAUNDY THURSDAY
The word 'maundy' comes from the Latin 'mandatum' - a mandate or command - recalling that on this day in Jerusalem Jesus gave his disciples his (new) Commandment for them to obey. That they should love one another. And so should we. After this he symbolically washed their feet (as their servant) and, traditionally, the British Monarch follows this tradition, though money is given instead.
This "Royal Maundy Service" is now held in a different church each year, and the 2025 event took place at Durham Cathedral in the northeast of England.
During the service, King Charles presented two purses, one white and one red, of money to recipients being honoured for their outstanding Christian service and for contributing to the lives of people in their communities.
The white purse contained the exclusively made commemorative Maundy coins, while the red purse had a special £5 coin that marked the life of Charles’ late grandmother, the Queen Mother, and carries messages about World War II.
King Charles also released an Easter message from Buckingham Palace.
It reads:
“One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness.”
The King added: “This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.
“A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace and felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.
“On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him.
“His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief.
“The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world — the whole world — that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.
“There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. ‘And the greatest of these is love’.
“It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.”
Ꚛ ______________________________________________ Ꚛ
16 April 2025
HOLY WEEK - "SPY WEDNESDAY"
We don't know very much about what happened on Holy Wednesday. Most likely Jesus and his disciples prepared for Passover, which would occur on Friday. The term "Spy" refers to Judas Iscariot and how he betrayed our Lord to the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders in Jerusalem. In the New Testament St Matthew records the event thus: "Then one of the twelve - the one called Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." (Matthew 26: 14-16)
Ꚛ ______________________________________________ Ꚛ
PAlm SunDAY - 13 APRIL 2025
Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey, not as a warrior King but humbly, yet King of All.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
The crowd answered. "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21: 10-11)
"Dennis" from Nepal - made locally
St George's Anglican Church, Lisbon, Portugal.
Photo by
The Grand Prior of Portugal, Chevalier Luciano Fernandes
with Chevalier Richard Ford being the personal representative of the Grand Prior of All Britain
during a visit to Portugal in April 2025.
_____________________________
9 APRIL 2025
Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camila met
His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican.
They were deeply touched by the Pope's kind remarks about their 20th Wedding Anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person.
_____________________________
PASSION SunDAY - 6 APRIL 2025
1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicea (325AD)
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God;
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father,
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
and by the power of the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
_____________________________
mothering SunDAY - 29 mARCH 2025
Flowers and shrubs in the Grand Prior's garden today.
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2: 2)
Fel rhai bychain newydd-eni, chwenychwch ddidwyll laeth y gair, fel y cynyddoch trwyddo ef. (1 Pedr 2: 2)
Mar leanaban ùra, miannachadh fìor bhainne an Fhocail, airson gum fàs sibh troimhe. (1 Peadar 2:2)
Mar naíonáin nuabheirthe, is mian leat bainne íon an Bhriathra, ionas go bhfásfaidh sibh leis sin. (1 Peadar 2: 2)
_____________________________
SATURDAY 29 mARCH 2025
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made ... (Psalm 33:6)
Partial Eclipse of the Sun over Britain at about 11.00am
A series of photographs of the eclipse, as seen over Lyndhurst, Kent.
The Liver Bird, Liverpool. The Grand Prior's garden.
Monks Risborough. Weston-super-Mare.
NOTE: The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK will occur on 23rd September 2090
_____________________________
25 MARCH 2025
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAYS
The United Nations lists days to recognise events, themes and topics across the world in which the UN has a special interest - see: www.un.org/en/observances/list-days-weeks
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 1807.
From that day on, “all manner of dealing and trading in the purchase, sale, barter, or transfer of slaves or of persons intending to be sold, transferred, used, or dealt with as slaves, practiced or carried in, at, or from any part of the coast or countries or Africa shall be abolished, prohibited and declared to be unlawful”.
On Tuesday 25 March 2025 at 14.00 pm GMT:
The United Nations General Assembly
convenes its annual plenary meeting to Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery etc
with keynote speaker Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature Mr. Wole Soyinka.
Watch live or on demand on UN WebTV
United Nations General
Assembly:
Plenary meeting, 79th session
International Day
of Remembrance
of Victims of
Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade
Summary
Commemorative meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Held pursuant to General Assembly resolution A/RES/73/345 of 16 September 2019
Description
The General Assembly will convene its annual plenary meeting to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Speakers will include the President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly, His Excellency Philemon Yang; the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres; keynote speaker and Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature Mr. Wole Soyinka; youth speaker and former United States Youth Poet Laureate Ms. Salome Agbaroji; and representatives of Member States and regional groups.
_____________________________
MONday 17 MARCH 2025
Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuir!
(Happy St Patrick's Day to you!)
ST Patrick's BLESSING
Go n-ardóidh an bóthar chun bualadh leat,
Go mbeannaí an
ghaoth i gcónaí ar do dhroim,
Go lonraí an ghrian te ar d'aghaidh,
Titeann an
bháisteach bog ar do ghoirt,
Agus go dtí go mbuailfimid le chéile arís,
Go
gcoinní Dia thú i dtearmann a láimhe.,
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always
at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon
your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His
hand.
__________________________________________________
sunday 16 MARCH 2025
SECOND sunday in lent
See the page above entitled "Daily Thoughts Lent to Easter 2025"
____________________________________
sunday 9 MARCH 2025
First sunday in lent
See the page above entitled "Daily Thoughts Lent to Easter 2025"
also
Fifth Anniversary of the start of the Covid-10 pandemic.
Remembrance walk along the Covid Memorial Wall in London
__________________________________
4 MARCH 2025
King Charles visits the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
His uniform is that as an honorary Admiral of the Fleet. He is wearing his Canadian decorations
Charles holds several Canadian honours that reflect his role as King of Canada and his connection to the country. These include:
Order of Canada: One of Canada's highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement and service to the nation.
Order of Military Merit: Awarded for exceptional service by members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Canadian Forces Decoration: A medal awarded for long service in the Canadian Armed Forces.
________________________________________
1 MARCH 2025
DEWI SANT HAPUS DYDD!
or
DYDD gŴYL DEWI HAPUS!
Happy St David's Day
Dewi Sant - Saint David
Dyuw ein Tad
Rydych yn enw dy was Dafydd
i gynnal y ffydd Gristnogol ymhlith pobl Cymru,
i'w hannog gan ei gadw at ymprydio ac ufudd-dod,
ac i ddangos tosturi iddynt trwy weithredoedd bach o gariad mawr.
Gan fod golau yn cael ei dywallt ar y bennau'r mynyddoedd
ac fel glaw ffres yn cael ei ysgeintio ar y bryniau,
yn ein helpu i fod yn ofalwyr da o un arall
ac o Eich Creation mawr a gogoneddus.
Amen.
† ‡ †
God our Father,
You called your servant David
to uphold the Christian faith amongst the people of Wales,
to encourage them by his observance of fasting and obedience,
and to show them compassion through small acts of great love.
As light is poured onto the mountain-tops
and as fresh rain is sprinkled on the hills,
help us to be good carers of one another
and of Your great and glorious Creation.
Amen.
† ‡ †
(This prayer was written by a former Anglican Archbishop of Wales, The Most Reverend Dr Barry Morgan)
________________________________________________________________________________
26 FEBRUARY 2025
It was with great sadness and deep sorrow
that the death was announced today of the
Grand Prior of France, His Excellency, Michel-Marie,
Count Gaudart de Soulages.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends
and to our Brothers and Sisters of our noble Order in France.
In memoria aeterna erit iustus.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Grant him eternal rest, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
_____________________
11 FEBRUARY 2025
800th Anniversary of the issue of the 1225 Magna Carta
Today is the 800th anniversary of the issue of the 1225 Magna Carta.
After the death of King John the 1215 Magna Carta was re-issued in the name of the (young) King Henry III in 1216 and 1217. But on 11 February 1225 Henry had reached his majority and issued this revised Charter and made his personal commitment to rule in accordance with the terms set out. This has become the definitive version of Magna Carta and some of its clauses remain on the Statutes of the United Kingdom.
_____________________
6-8 FEBRUARY 2025
Tanworth in Arden
The Grand Prior paid a visit to the village of Tanworth in Arden in Warwickshire.
_____________________
27 JanUARY 2025
WORLD HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
Today is World Holocaust Memorial Day and world and civic leaders, politicians, diplomats, presidents and royalty are gathered in Poland on this, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the first and largest of many concentration death camps which were freed by the Allies at the end of the European element of the Second World War. During that war some 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime in their policy of genocide against the Jewish people.
Let us remember: “Lest we forget”.
___
Dysgn gwersi o'r gorffennol er mwyn
cren dyfodol gwell a mwy diogel
Learning lessons from the past
to create a safer, better future
We Knights Templar have reason to remember that in the 14th century Templar knights across Europe were rounded up and many killed or died in prison, all as a result of the trumped-up charges of heresy and the like brought against the Order by King Philip of France.
Today such an attempt to destroy a particular group of people on the basis of their perceived religious beliefs or practices would constitute an act of genocide.
However, and fortunately for the Order, the Pope eventually absolved the Order and its knights from the accusations. Unfortunately this was not until after the Order had been 'officially' disbanded throughout the areas of the Pope's authority.
But many knights escaped the persecution, either having fled abroad or they were already based in countries like Scotland, Switzerland or Portugal where they regrouped and survived, thus enabling the Order to emerge again and today it thrives and is growing across the world including, of course, in All Britain!
"FIRST THEY CAME"
by
Pastor Niemoller
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist;
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
A prayer for use by Christians on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025
Please invite the congregation to stand and to join in the words in bold.
God of the past, present, and future,
We remember today, 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution, and all those who have been targeted and killed in subsequent genocides.
We remember those who, having survived genocide, share their stories with us:
We give thanks to You for the lessons of human stories, both in their suffering and in their joy.
We remember those who stood up against injustice and saved lives:
We give thanks to You for their example.
Together we acknowledge the sacrifice of those that stood together with those who suffered during the Holocaust and other genocides.
And we affirm that every life is loved by You and sacred.
Yet, during the Holocaust too many failed to stand together with their neighbours. Oppression stains Your world and contradicts Your love.
So we pray that You will inspire us now as we stand together on this day in the love that we know of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us commit to remembering:
And glorify God in our words and actions.
We make these prayers in the name of Christ Jesus who through His life, death, and resurrection, journeys with us into the eternal hope of Your truth and light.
Amen.
Kindertransport - bringing children from Nazi Germany to Great Britain
Ar Ddiwrnod Cofio'r Holocost (HMD) - 27 Ionawr 2025 - fe gofiwn am y miliynau o bobl a laddwyd yn yr Holocost o dan Erledigaeth Natsiaidd, ac achosion ers hynny o hil-laddiad yn Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia a Darfur a hyd heddiw, heriwn gasineb ac erledigaeth.
On Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) - 27 January 2025 - we remember the millions of people killed in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur and challenge hatred and persecution today.
In particular Holocaust Memorial Day this year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp:
In the UK, thousands of local events and activities take place every year – each one an opportunity for people to reflect on those whose lives were changed beyond recognition, and to challenge prejudice, discrimination, and hatred in our own society today.
A prayer:
Heavenly Father,
whose many gifts include memory and empathy:
we hold in remembrance before you those many of the Jewish people
who were murdered, harmed, or displaced in the horror of Nazi persecution,
and whose communities were destroyed.
In your mercy, help us to learn to accept our differences without fear
and cleanse our hearts of all hatred.
So may every human community flourish and every home be secure,
to the advancement of your loving purposes
and the glory of your name.
Amen.
Ymddiriedolaeth Diwrnod Cofio'r Holocost yw'r elusen
sy'n hyrwyddo a chefnogi Diwrnod Cofio'r Holocost yn y DU
More information can be found about Holocaust Memorial Day
on the website of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
___________________________________________________________________________
18 - 25 January 2025
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The whole of this topic can easily be summed up in Jesus own words, as recorded in St John's Gospel, Chapter 17 where He prays for all believers; particularly in verses 20-21:
"My prayer is not for them [His disciple] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message [us?], That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
"That all of them may be one ... so that the world may believe that you have sent me"
It seems that we really do need to ask ourselves how it is, that even after many hundreds of years, Christian churches across the world are still talking about Christian Unity instead of just being and doing it ............
so tHat the world will Believe
__________________________
6 JanUARY 2025 : EPIPHANY
Epiphany is an ancient Christian festival and is celebrated across the world in numerous ways.
The word comes from the Greek έπιφάνεια (epiphaneia) which means the “manifestation” or the “showing forth” of Jesus to non-Jews (the Gentiles) after his incarnation (his birth).
In the Western Church we usually relate this to the arrival of the Magi (wise men) at the house where the Holy Family were living, some 2 years after the birth of Jesus.
In the Orthodox or Eastern Church the word is Theophany (θεοφάνεια)
meaning the "appearance of God".
According to the Holy Bible in the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 2:verse 11) the Magi offered Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Gospel account indicates that the Magi had been following a star
which led them to the house where they found Jesus, his mother Mary and Joseph:
The star which the Magi followed can remind us of the lovely Epiphany Carol
by William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898):
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly household bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
In that homestead plain and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!
Or as the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 2, verse 10) puts it:
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
This event is re-enacted by some children:
Epiphany can also represent the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt
in order to escape Herod's anger and the murder of boys under 2 years in Bethlehem:
In Eastern churches, Epiphany usually celebrates the baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist,
in the River Jordan:
Alternatively it also commemorates Jesus' first miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee,
where he turned jars of water into high quality wine:
All of these celebrations and images seek to illustrate 'Epiphany'
'the showing forth' or 'revelation' of Jesus to non-Jews (that is, the Gentiles) -
on various occasions during His life.
_______________________________________________
NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2025
A Franciscan Benediction
Attributed to the earliest followers of St Francis
May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done
to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.
___________________________________________
NEW yEAR'S EVE
31 DECEMBER 2024
OUR FIRST THOUGHTS MIGHT BE FROM ....
Minnie Louise Haskins' poem which as Princess Elizabeth, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, gave to her father, the late King George VI, to say during his Christmas broadcast in 1939:
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."
And he replied:
"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."
(So I went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.)
_____________________________________________________
Contact
see website Contact Us