Now CofE's Iranian Christians can celebrate Communion in their own language

The Church of England's first Persian language translation of its Holy Communion service was launched on Saturday at Wakefield Cathedral.

The new Farsi liturgy was authorised by the CofE's House of Bishops and features English and Farsi versions side by side.

The first Farsi Holy Communion was led by Rt Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani, centre. Diocese of Leeds

Around 500 Iranians attended the service, at which the Bishop of Loughborough, Iranian-born Rt Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani, presided. With the Bishop of Bradford, Rt Rev Toby Howarth, and the Bishop of Durham, Rt Rev Paul Butler, who also took part in the service, she supports work with Persian Christians in England.

Francis-Dehqani's father was the late Bishop Hassan Dehqani-Tafti, who was forced into exile after an attempt on his life and the murder of his only son.

She told reporters before the service: 'This translated service is highly significant in the life of the Church of England as we seek to find ways to adapt to the reality where we find minority communities as part of our congregations.

'This enables English speaking and Farsi speaking people to worship alongside each other in an integrated way and is really significant. I hope it will be the first of others to come. There seems to be something happening. Iranians are quite spiritual in nature and if they come to our churches we want them to feel welcomed. This is a really joyful thing for us to celebrate. It is very exciting.'

In a message to the congregation, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: 'The book of Revelation paints a picture of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne praising God. Today is a tiny foretaste of that glorious vision, and I pray that as you worship together you will catch a glimpse of the worldwide family of faith that we are part of by God's grace.'

News
The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens
The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens

Seventy years ago, in February 1956, the BBC aired the mini-series “Jesus of Nazareth”, which was the first filming of the life of Jesus to be created for television. This is the story …

Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes
Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes

Christians are being asked to urge peers to support amendments tabled by Baronesses Monckton and Stroud.

Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror
Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror

The faithful are returning “in their thousands, not hundreds” despite more than a decade of brutal violence.

Trump is '100 per cent' more spiritual after assassination attempt, says pastor friend
Trump is '100 per cent' more spiritual after assassination attempt, says pastor friend

Trump's pastor and friend Mark Burns said the US President knows "the hand of God' was on him when he survived the 2024 assassination attempt.