The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was marked with celebrations across the diocese.  There were celebratory services and large amounts of traditional  food, fun, music, and plenty of creativity.

Perhaps the grandest celebrations were in Helsinki.  The chaplaincy’s main celebration was a Thanksgiving Service for HM Queen Elizabeth at Helsinki Cathedral on Friday 3rd June. The service was attended by over 300 people, including the British Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and the Defence Attache.  Officials representing some of the Commonwealth nations included the Ambassador of Malaysia and Ambassador of Namibia, the Canadian Consul and Seychelles Consul.  

Like many other celebrations over the weekend, music played a key part. The service included the anthem ‘Zadok the Priest’, originally composed by Handel for the coronation of George II in 1727 and sung at the Queen’s Coronation 70 years ago.. The UK Ambassador oto Finland, Mrs Theresa Bubbear OBE gave a personal reflection on the Queen’s 70 years of service.

In keeping with the day’s theme of service to others a collection was taken at the end of the service for The Vallila Help Centre for Ukrainian Refugees. The volunteers from the centre at the service wore national costume and included refugees who had fled the war in Ukraine. The service was followed by a reception in the Cathedral Crypt, sponsored by the St Nicholas Foundation which aims to promote Anglican worship and ministry in Finland.

A couple of days later they held a Jubilee Tea Party,  with food, sea shanties, face painting and crafts bringing the community together.

Staying in Scandinavia, St Edmund's Oslo held a Service of Thanksgiving, followed by a big tea party.  With no seats to spare, the small church resounded with much-loved hymns and Stanford's Te Deum Laudamus and Mozart's Jubilate from the choir.  

The street party was very well supported. The supply of scones, cucumber and egg and cress sandwiches and delicious cakes seemed limitless and the tea kept flowing as everyone enjoyed themselves under the glorious sunshine, entertained by their organist's family jazz quartet.  

St John the Evangelist Izmir were delighted to gather together Turkish friends, Consuls General, Senior NATO officers and members of the British Community for their Platinum Jubilee Service. 

The lovely local young adult choir, A Capella Gramofon sang musical interludes, including the charming final anthem, ‘If you’re happy and you know it, say Amen. If the Spirit falls on you, sing Alleluia!’ - apt for Jubilee and Pentecost.

After the service St John’s hosted a drinks party in the church grounds, which featured a fabulous Jubilee cake, baked for the occasion by top Izmir patisserie, Sevinch. The occasion provided wonderful opportunities to bring together members of the diplomatic, military and church communities in an ecumenical celebration which included  the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Izmir, Fr Martin Kmetek, Orthodox clergy and Protestant pastors from around the city.

St George's Church Lisbon and St Paul's Church Estoril shared their happy memories of the weekend on Facebook, which included a special service, lots of themed food, and even bagpipes:

The Revd Adrian Green reported from Ibiza and Formentera Chaplaincy:

“Our Platinum Jubilee celebrations began with a special church service during which we sang the Cheeky Panda’s ‘A Right Royal Party’. This was followed by a garden party. There was some amazing food on offer, including coronation chicken, cucumber sandwiches and lovely cakes. We had local artist Charlotte Mensforth judge our Jubilee art competition and Martin Makepeace, from the British Association of San Antoni, judged the poetry section. All those who entered received prizes for taking part. For the children we had a bouncy castle, face painting, Connie the Corgi’s postcard trail and a show by Enzo the clown (aged 7). For a finale, we had the wonderful community choir, Natural Voices, bring our proceedings to a musical close.”

St Andrew’s, in the heart of Moscow, had a picnic in the garden and some fabulous themed food. Pictured below is Alison Rogers flying the flag for Her Majesty with the community.