The Holy Trinity Church in Dubai hosted a significant Holy Communion service on Feb. 23, bringing together senior bishops from different branches of the global Anglican Communion. The event also marked the launch of a book on the Holy Lent authored by Bishop Dr. Azad Marshall, moderator of the Church of Pakistan.
The special service was presided over by Bishop Marshall, alongside Archbishop Hosam Naoum, primate of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and Bishop Sean Semple of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. The bishops’ joint participation symbolized unity and collaboration within the Anglican tradition, according to a press release from the Church of Pakistan shared with Christian Daily International.
Addressing the congregation, Bishop Marshall reflected on past visits by Anglican leaders to the region, emphasizing the significance of the occasion.
“Today is a joyful and historic occasion as we three bishops come together in this Holy Communion service,” the press release quoted him as saying.
Bishop Semple shared his appreciation for the gathering, noting that it was a moment of unity for the Anglican family. He also commended Bishop Marshall’s Lenten book, describing it as “a wonderful guide for deepening faith during the Lenten season.”
Archbishop Naoum echoed this sentiment, calling the service a moment of shared worship and mission.
“It was a privilege to launch the Holy Lent book written by Dr. Azad Marshall. I encourage you to read this book and walk together in unity during this Lenten journey,” he said, according to the media statement.
The congregation expressed gratitude for the participation of the church leaders, recognizing the event as a milestone in the faith and mission of the Church of Pakistan in Dubai. The service underscored the commitment to unity, worship, and collective spiritual growth within the broader Anglican community, the press release stated.
History and background
According to the Church of Pakistan’s official website, Marshall has served as bishop of the Raiwand Diocese of the Church of Pakistan since 2017. He was elected moderator bishop of the Synod of the Church of Pakistan in 2021.
Previously, Marshall served as the sixth bishop of the Anglican Church in Iran, a diocese of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, since 2007. He was consecrated as bishop by the Church of Pakistan in 1994 to serve Urdu-speaking congregations in the Gulf States.
The Most Rev. Archbishop Hosam Naoum was enthroned as the 15th Anglican bishop in Jerusalem in 2021, according to the Diocese of Jerusalem’s website.
As diocesan bishop, Naoum serves as chief pastor of 28 parishes across five political regions: Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. He also chairs the boards of more than 30 educational and healthcare institutions throughout the diocese, including in Gaza.
In 2023, Naoum was appointed primate of the entire Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, overseeing not only the Diocese of Jerusalem but also the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf and the Diocese of Iran.
Leading a multicultural and multi-ethnic diocese spread across five countries, Archbishop Naoum is a strong advocate for peace and reconciliation in the region, according to the website.
The Right Rev. Sean Semple was consecrated and enthroned as bishop of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf in 2024. According to the diocese’s website, Semple is the first bishop of the diocese to be born in Africa and the first Anglican bishop to be consecrated in Bahrain or the wider Gulf region.
The Holy Trinity Church in Dubai has been a witness to the presence and vitality of Christianity in the Emirate of Dubai for more than 50 years, according to its website.
The church is a unique communion of interdenominational Christians and members of other mainline Protestant churches from around the world. It is associated with the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, headed by Bishop Semple.
