Orthodox clergy from all around Sydney came together at the Church of St Nicholas in Marrickville for a special pan-Orthdox service to commemorate the Vespers on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Lent.

The special service on March 1 was officiated by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Stylianos, alongside Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Bishop Mihail of the Romanian Orthodox Church and Bishop Seraphim of Apollonas.

Hundreds of Greek Australian faithful followed the service alongside fellow Orthodox community members, and watched as the clergy carried icons in a procession to mark the occasion.

After the service, the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia hosted a communal meal, hoping to continue the friendship and solidarity of the Inter-Orthodox faithful.

Pan-Orthodox liturgies are gaining popularity, with the different Orthodox churches jumping at the chance to unite for worthy causes. Last year the Greek Orthodox Church led a pan-Orthodox service to commemorate the lives lost in WWI.