Dear Friends,
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Guests, preparation and visits
The past few days have been both immense and intense. We have had some very special
guests from the diocese, including Bishop Michael Lewis and his wife from
Cyprus, our Archdeacon and his wife and other supporters from as far as the
Yemen.
Despite a
packed and complex program we were also able to visit two places three hours
from Baghdad. I returned to Ezekiel's tomb with our guests - we now have a very
good relationship with the Shia Imam and his staff who maintain it. Everyone so
appreciated the visit.
We travelled
from the tomb to Babylon in the heat of the day - 52°C - and the team were able
to see the remains of that incredible city which is mention so much in
scripture. From Babylon we returned to Baghdad where we had our US Embassy
service followed by a dinner.
Faiz and his wife Nawal then joined us and together we prepared for the great
ordination day that was upon us. Faiz had completed a retreat earlier in the week
to spend time with G-d.
Ordination Day
The first part
of the day was planning and rehearsals. The church began to fill over one hour
before the service was due to start. Within half an hour the church was full
but people were still flooding in. On the last count before the service started
there were over 150 people standing.
The British
Embassy sent an official delegation and several of our US congregation were
present. As the choir sang beautifully the procession entered. The service was
simply wonderful.
Just before the ordination took place, Faiz, outstretched on the floor,
shared in the Litany. The service was in Arabic and English and Lord's Prayer
was sung in Aramaic. As the Bishop ordained Faiz I placed the stole over his
left shoulder. Some were in tears and many were welling up.
Faiz and the packed congregation
Faiz and special guests from the Diocese
After over 100 years there was finally an Iraqi Anglican Clergyman in Iraq.
Everything had gone so well. Then the Bishop and Faiz greeted hundreds of
people as they left. Everybody wanted to kiss Faiz and show him their love.
Then something very special happened. The children led by Mariam in floods of
tears came and hugged her father. The other children many also did the same. On
Sunday Faiz became their new minister.
I will never forget this wonderful day. I have arrived back in the UK today for
a short visit with various speaking engagements before I return to Baghdad in
just over a week.
Andrew
Canon Andrew White,
Hampshire
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