RIP Rev’d Canon Christine Goldsmith

Reverend Deacon

Rev’d Canon Christine Goldsmith

It is with immense sorrow that we share the news that our beloved sister, Rev. Canon Christine Goldsmith passed into the arms of her Lord and Saviour in  he early hours of Thursday morning ( July 30th ).  She was at home, as was her wish, surrounded by the love of her family and her precious dogs and cats.
 
Having fought cancer for so long, she is no longer in pain and and we take comfort from the fact that Chris will rest in peace and rise in glory.
We were honoured to have Chris and Rick as part of our church family for so long and to witness her answer the call to ministry.  We watched her undertake all the training required to become ordained at the same time caring for her husband, Rick who has MS and also running her charity for rescued dogs.  She later lead the Diocese support programme to refugees.  Chris was an amazing woman and an inspiration to many of us.  Her beloved Rick was an immense support to her during her life, her ministry and her illness.
 
After her ordination as a priest in 2015 by Bishop Michael, Chris served as associate priest at St. Barnabas’, Limassol for a while before moving back to the UK and taking up the role as Rector of Leadenham in Lincolnshire caring for three churches there.   
 
We continue to pray for Rick in his incredible loss and, especially, as he starts his chemotherapy having recently been diagnosed with Leukemia.
 
We will be organising a memorial service for Chis, sometime in September after everyone returns from the summer and we will invite others from across the parishes. We believe many people will want to come and remember her with us.  I will let you know the date, when it is organised, and if it will be available on our YouTube channel.  We will have many memories to share.

Fr. George Vidiakin appointed

Bishop Sean and the Council of St Barnabas Limassol are pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend George Vidiakin as Parish Priest.

Revd George is currently serving as a House-for-Duty Priest of Christ Church Ayia Napa, where he has ministered since July 2024. In addition to his parish responsibilities he also serves as Chair of the House of Clergy, offering leadership and support to his fellow clergy across the Diocese, and is a member of the Bishop’s Task Force and the Constitutional Review Committee.

Revd George was ordained deacon in June 2013 and priest in November 2014, both ordinations taking place in the Russian Orthodox Church. In March 2020 he was received into the Anglican Communion by Archbishop Michael Lewis of Cyprus and the Gulf, and in October 2021 he was licensed as an Associate Priest of St Helena’s Church, Larnaca.

The Revd George holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Theology from St Tikhon’s Orthodox University for the Humanities (Moscow, Russia). He is currently completing his dissertation as part of the diocesan ‘Exploring Faith’ programme.

Revd George will be Licensed at St Barnabas Limassol on Saturday 13 June 2026.