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Advent

Advent means ‘coming’ and is the special four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth but also for his coming in glory at the end of time.

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

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Home News and Blogs Archbishop of Wales' Advent message to the Diocese of Llandaff

Archbishop of Wales' Advent message to the Diocese of Llandaff

News Posted: 10 December 2021

Andy John who has served as the Bishop of Bangor for 13 years, has been chosen as the 14th Archbishop of Wales.

Bishop June Osborne welcomed the news saying, " It is wonderful news that we have a new Archbishop. I know Archbishop Andy will help us bring new growth and confidence to the Church in Wales. Please pray for him as he takes up his new role."

As he ends his first week in post, Archbishop Andy recorded a special Advent message for the Diocese of Llandaff.

Archbishop of Wales' Advent message to the Diocese of Llandaff

I'm really delighted to be able to share a few words with all my friends and good colleagues in the Diocese of Llandaff.

The last 72 hours I think you can imagine have probably been a bit of a haze for me and only now the responsibility and the call to service is sinking in to be the 14th Archbishop in the province of Wales.

We truly have something to share with one another and also with our world.

One thing that has come across to me in all of the good wishes that have come to me is that our church is one of the most wonderful and beautiful organisations to belong to. We truly have something to share with one another and also with our world. And that's perhaps more significant at this time of year as we approach Christmas when we remember the extraordinary message that Almighty God stepped into human affairs and made his love known in the babe of Bethlehem.

"Our church is one of the most wonderful and beautiful organisations to belong to.

But not only are we people of words, we're people of deeds and making Jesus known in the simple things. The act of kindness and being involved in transforming acts of mercy and grace in our society is that we're called to.

And so thank you for your good wishes. It's great to share with you in the life of the church and the partnership that unites us in Jesus Christ.

And can I take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed Advent and of course a really happy Christmas.

Announcement of the election of Archbishop Andy John

Archbishop Andy was elected on Monday 6 December, having secured a two-thirds majority vote from members of the Electoral College on the first day of its meeting at Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells. Read more on the Church in Wales website.