The end of July sees also the end of an incredible lifetime of service to the Bishops of Cyprus and the Gulf, as Canon Georgia Katsantonis retires as Bishop's PA. She has also served the Province and represented it at international gatherings.She has penned a letter to all in the Diocese and beyond who have come into contact with her during more than forty years, and who have benefitted from her encyclopaedic knowledge, her calm wisdom and her warm sympathy.
Dear Friends,
As many of you will already know, the time has come for me to retire after more than 42 years of service to the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.
When I first walked through the doors of the Diocese all those years ago, I could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead. It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as Personal Assistant to five of the six bishops who have led our Diocese during that time. Each brought their own gifts, vision and character, and I have been blessed to work alongside them, witnessing the life of our Diocese unfold across Cyprus, the Gulf and beyond.
What has made these years so special, however, has not only been the meetings, the diaries, the letters, or the countless administrative tasks that filled my days, but the people. I have been fortunate to meet and work with clergy and laity from every corner of our Diocese, as well as countless friends overseas. Together we have shared moments of joy and celebration, times of challenge and uncertainty, and the daily life of the Church. Along the way, so many of you have become much more than colleagues or acquaintances—you have become friends.
Looking back, I do so with immense gratitude. Thank you for your kindness, your encouragement, your patience, your prayers, your friendship. You have enriched my life in ways you may never realise.
Retirement is always a mixture of emotions. There is excitement about what lies ahead, but also sadness in saying goodbye to a role and a community that have been such an important part of my life for over four decades. Although I am retiring from my post, I know that the Diocese will always remain close to my heart, and I will continue to follow its life with affection and interest.
I would be delighted to hear from you in the months and years ahead. The friendships formed over these 42 years are among the greatest gifts my ministry has given me, and I hope they will continue long after my working life has come to an end.
As I begin this new chapter, I do so with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives, and for being such an important part of mine.
May God continue to bless you, your families, your churches and our beloved Diocese and Province.
With my love, gratitude and every good wish,
Georgia