We were delighted to gather together Turkish friends, Consuls General, Senior NATO officers and members of the British Community for our Platinum Jubilee Service.

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

After the service, St John’s hosted the congregation to 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. We were delighted to have with us the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Izmir, Fr Martin Kmetek, Orthodox clergy and Protestant pastors from around the city.