With the Blessings of Archbishop Makarios of Australia and under the guidance of Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of Canberra, the Blessing of the Waters took place in Canberra, Jervis Bay, and Batemans Bay.
In Canberra, the service was conducted by Father Petros Kipouros at the location Casuarina Sands Reserve and the young man who retrieved the cross was Nikitas Parascos, a university student.
In Jervis Bay, the service was conducted by Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Peter Mavrommatis at Plantation Point Reserve. The young man who retrieved the cross was Yianni Hadjisavas who recently was married.
In Batemans Bay, the service was conducted by Very Reverend Father Iakovos Siriotis from the church of St Dimitrios Queanbeyan, the young man who retrieved the cross was Michael Voudouris.
The Fathers conveyed the love and blessings of Archbishop Makarios of Australia and wished all people a blessed, safe and prosperous new year.