EXPATS have attended annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations in Didim.

Events were held at the new Didim Chapel opposite the Apollon Temple, while another was held at Carol’s Wine Bar where Lynn Cole, from Help in Hands, led the service of about 40 people attending with a reading.

At the Didim Chapel, Rev Maurice Ryan of St Mary’s Anglican and Ecumenical Christian Fellowship, led the special memorial service which observed an immaculate two-minute silence to remember the fallen in world wars and conflicts around the globe.

The service attracted about 25 expats, including Patty and Tony Scott, of the Didim evangelical Free Church. Following this, they were able to meet the Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay.

The hour-long service included readings from 1 Kings 17.8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9.24-28; the Gospel according to Mark 12.38-44, and hymns Abide With Me, the Offertory and Recessional.

Mr Ryan reflected on the experiences of former POW at the hands of the Japanese in 1942 and during the times of the building of the Railway of Death over the River Kwai and into Burma.

He said the prisoner went through a whole range of emotions during those days and months, before he turned to the love of Jesus and was able to survive the violence meted out to him and his fellow inmates.

The minister added: “One of the characteristics of today’s society is the assumption that God is irrelevant to the life we lead today. It is considered reasonable that individuals should find replacement gods of their own and you can look around and see the false gods that they have chosen: wealth, power, luxury cars, or alcohol and drugs. These often destroy them.

“From the readings of today’s service, they remind us that God exists and He wants us to give him first place in our lives. He is Our Father and doesn’t wants us to pay lip service and pray to some other God.

“From our experience, He rewards our faith and is the Great Provider in our lives.”

After the service, Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay held a meet and greet session outside the chapel with Mr Scott and Mr Ryan and remarked that he was delighted to see so many people attending the service.

Mr Atabay added: “There’s not a lot to say but we can feel the happiness of the people and we are happy that they are using the chapel. It is there for them to use.”

Mr Ryan told Voices: “I think with the mayor’s help and visit today, it is an important validation for Christians to come to this chapel and be able to pray knowing that they are part of the community and accepted.

“It is a big step forward and hopefully with the Mayor’s visit today, Christians will feel even more at ease to come to the Sunday services in the future.”

Of the Mayor’s visit, Mr Scott added: “For him to come here is fantastic and give us his blessing in using the chapel. It is a wonderful step in the right direction.”