Ordination by the Grand Canal

Ordinations traditionally take place in Cathedrals or churches but in the 44th Diocese of the Church of England, the Diocese in Europe, more unusual backgrounds can be found.

In June 2004, Sampson Ajuka and about 20 other faithful Nigerian Anglican friends together set up the Anglican Church of Padova, under the ministry of Rev. Canon John Mlekano, who at the time ‘happened’ to be resident in Venice, a student at the Ecumenical College. The new Church grew and there were 40 to celebrate its first Anniversary, when Suffragan Bishop David Hamid visited and named it after St. Anthony Abbot , the patron saint of the RC church in Padova where it holds Sunday service.

Sampson’s vocation to be priest was being recognised and tested, and in Spring of 2005 he was accepted for training at Queen’s College, Birmingham. This Autumn Sampson was back in Italy at the Archdeaconry of Malta and Italy Synod in Venice where Diocesan Bishop Geoffrey Rowell ordained him Deacon.

It was the first Ordination service in St Georges Anglican church in Venice and joining the 45 strong regular congregation were 37 loyal Padova members who had made the hour-and-a-half journey over by train and boat, plus the 40 members of the Italy and Malta Synod whose enthusiasm and support twelve months previously had made the whole adventure possible. There were 24 clergy in church, 16 Anglicans and 8 supporters from the other Christian Churches in both Venice and Padova.

For more information, please contact Rev John-Henry Bowden  stgeorgesvenice@virgilio.it           0039 041 520 0571  

Ordination by the Grand Canal picture one

Ordination by the Grand Canal picture two