Almost two years after the devastating fire that left it severly damaged, the iconic Church of Evangelismos, a landmark for the Greek Community of Melbourne reopened its gates last Saturday, in time to celebrate the Holy Annunciation, after which it was named.
On the eve of the annunciation, celebrated on March 25th, according to the Greek Orthodox calendar, a vesper service took place, presided over by His Grace Bishop Ezekiel, with the participation of the church’s vicar, Father Kosmas Damianidis. On Sunday, His Grace Bishop Iakovos presided over the Holy Annunciation Divine Liturgy.
On both days, celebrations were attended by hundreds of parishioners, as well as prominent members of the Greek community, such as the General Consul of Greece, Dimitrios Michalopoulos and the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis.
Both services were very emotional, as it was the first time that churchgoers were allowed to the areas destroyed by the fire. The church will be open for Easter celebrations. The second phase of the project, which includes the reinstatement of iconography, fittings and fixtures, is about to start soon.