Geelong served as a site of celebration as community members and interstate visitors combined to mark the Feast Day of the Panagia Gorgoepikoos at the Holy Monastery in Lovely Banks.
The day was celebrated on Wednesday (1 October) with parishioners from across Victoria as well as guests from other Australian cities like Adelaide and Sydney taking part in the event that commemorates the miraculous icon “She Who is Quick to Hear”.
The event began with a solemn Divine Liturgy in the morning, which was followed by more festive activities at the monastery grounds, including the making of loukoumades by a team of women (continuing a longstanding tradition that has gone on for decades).
Volunteers contributed to the selling of goods, cooking and cleaning throughout the day, adding to the festive atmosphere of the annual event.
Stav Ropkas, one of the volunteers, highlighted how the monastery’s feast day has become a cherished annual tradition for many Orthodox families in Australia, and the visit of numerous interstate guests is indicative of that.
