Click here to read this week’s, 1st February Midweek Letter.
Advent/Christmas/Epiphany at All Saints
Monday 9th January – Epiphany Lunch
Notices
7th February – Tuesday
6:00pm – Interclub Quiz – hosted by ESTA (The English Speaking Theatrical Association)
8th February, Wednesday
10:00am – Holy Communion – Celebrant: Fr Peter Cavanagh
11:15am – Bible Study/Prayer Group
12th February, The Second Sunday before Lent
11am Sung Eucharist – Celebrant & Preacher Fr Peter Cavanagh
Quiz Dates
August 2022 Newsletter
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All Saints August Newsletter 2022Midweek Letter
1st February 2023
We are now almost at the end of the spring Romerías, and I have been asked by several visitors what these Fiestas are and their history. I have discovered that these events which occur at several villages around the Island, notable in Arona, Tigaiga and Buenavista, venerate the memory of Saint Antonio Abad who is known as the patron saint of many groups including amputees, gravediggers and epileptics. But, he is probably most famous as the patron saint of animals, domestic or otherwise. Thus the Romerías also include a livestock fair. They occur in the spring and are calling blessings on the animals, and the land for the coming productive season.
In the English tradition Saint Antonio Abad is generally known as Anthony the Great, who was born in Egypt in about 12th January 251 and died 17th January 356 at the grand old age of 105.
He lived the life of an hermit and is thought to be the first Monk. Anthony was not the first ascetic or hermit, but he may properly be called the “Father of Monasticism” in Christianity, as he organized his disciples into a community and later, following the spread of Athanasius’s hagiography, was the inspiration for similar communities throughout Egypt and elsewhere. Macarius the Great was a disciple of Anthony. Visitors travelled great distances to see the celebrated holy man. Anthony is said to have spoken to those of a spiritual disposition, leaving the task of addressing the more worldly visitors to Macarius. Macarius later founded a monastic community in the Scetic desert.
The fame of Anthony spread and reached Emperor Constantine, who wrote to him requesting his prayers. The brethren were pleased with the Emperor’s letter, but Anthony was not overawed and wrote back exhorting the Emperor and his sons not to esteem this world but remember the next.
In 338, he left the desert temporarily to visit Alexandria to help refute the teachings of Arius. He then returned to his life as an hermit.
After his death Anthony was interred, according to his instructions, in a grave next to his cell.
Back to Tenerife and the Romerías. These follow a similar pattern wherever they are celebrated. Starting with a Mass in the Parish Church, followed by a procession bearing an image of the Saint through the streets to the village square where all the local animals, oxen, sheep, goats and other farm livestock, also a whole collection of domestic animals of all shapes and sizes are amassed, and, amid the noise, smells, and confusion, the Priest blesses all the animals.
Then the local produce is presented to the assembled crowd and the party begins. The Canary Islanders are very good at turning Religious events into Fiestas. So amid the cacophony of noise, aromas etc. from all the animals and the colourful and intricate local costumes of the islanders, with the aid of the local band(s) of musicians the dancing and partying continues into the late evening.
Long live the traditions of the Island with the joy that the Christian fellowship brings. As we leave the season on Romerías we move forward into the Carnival season, with its associated Fiestas and maybe excess, leading up to the period of fasting in Lent.
Peter Lockyer
Reader
Holy Week & Easter at All Saints
10th April – Palm Sunday
11:00am Sung Eucharist – celebrant & preacher: the Revd Rachel Ganney
13th April – the Wednesday in Holy Week
10:00am Holy Communion by extension
11:00am Bible Study
14th April – Maundy Thursday
7:00pm – Holy Communion – celebrant & preacher: the Revd Rachel Ganney
15th April – Good Friday
2:00pm Service of Reflection – led by the Revd Rachel Ganney
17th April – EASTER DAY
11am – Sung Eucharist – celebrant & preacher, the Revd Judie Horrocks
Car Boot Sales
Community Information
The Health Service telephone line for coronavirus in the Canary Islands is 900112061. This change is because the existing 112 and 061 lines are overloaded with hundreds of people calling for coronavirus information, so that the seriously ill, such as with heart attacks, are unable to get help. This new number is specifically for coronavirus. Share it in your groups, for the good of all.
Original message:
Línea de teléfono específica en Sanidad para coronavirus en canarias es 900112061.
Compartan porque están colapsando las líneas del 112 y 061, y los enfermos graves, como infartos, se quedan a la cola de los cientos de personas llamando para información de coronavirus.
Este que les paso es específico para coronavirus.
Compártanlo en sus grupos, por el bien de todos.
Welcoming the New Year 2022
In the afternoon of New Year’s Day the Church of All Saints’ in Taoro Park was filled, to the COVID permitted capacity, when a Brass Quartet gave a concert.
This Quartet, comprising of 3 Trombones with a Tuba, from Reyes Bartlet, gave a varied recital with the first section comprising of some light classical numbers, including Sibelius’ tone poem “Finlandia” and a magnificent Trombone Quartet by Apon. This was followed by a medley of Christmas themed music including Adeste Fideles, Jingle bells etc. with the audience encouraged to join in with singing and clapping to some of the traditional numbers, The recital was brought to a close with a tear jerking rendition of Pucini’s Nessen Dorma.
A great afternoon’s entertainment and a wonderful start to the New Year. The Quartet have been invited to make a return visit to the Church and I do hope that they accept the invitation and would encourage others to come and enjoy such a return visit.