The Archdiocesan District of Northcote in Victoria marked the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple with a series of grand ecclesiastical ceremonies.
The heart of the festivities was the Church of the Presentation of Our Lord in Coburg, Melbourne.
Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, led the services alongside numerous clergy from Victoria.
He presided over the Great Vespers on the eve of the feast and officiated the Matins and Divine Liturgy on the main day.
The celebrations reached their peak on Sunday, with the conclusion of Matins and Divine Liturgy, followed by a traditional Greek Festival in the church courtyard.
Despite the scorching temperatures on the day, a large number of Greeks attended, showing their unwavering support.
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
The feast day services were presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and was joined by a multitude of parishioners, clergy and officials from the State of Victoria. All photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Bishop Evmenios conveyed the blessings and wishes of Archbishop Makarios to all attendees.
In his sermons during the liturgical services, he reflected on the significance of the feast, particularly highlighting the example of Simeon the Righteous and “the importance of encountering Christ in our lives”.
Furthermore, Bishop Evmenios commended the Parish of the Presentation of Our Lord for their “extensive charitable endeavours”, including the long-standing ‘Our Daily Bread’ Programme, which has been aiding over 500 individuals weekly for more than a decade.
Lastly, Bishop Evmenios acknowledged the 100th anniversary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and underscored the vital role played by the Presentation of Our Lord Parish in Coburg, established nearly fifty years ago.
He also mentioned the upcoming anniversary events and the Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew scheduled for October.
