On the 15th of August, the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, in Berri, celebrates its Feast Day.
In order to honor our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, Bishop Silouan of Sinope, with the blessing of Archbishop Makarios, firstly officiated at the Vespers in the Holy Monastery of St Nectarios, Croydon Park, Adelaide, on the eve of the Feast Day, Sunday 14th of August 2022, and then left for Berri, which is located in the wine and fruit growing region of the Riverland, about three hours from Adelaide.
On the Feast Day, Monday 15th of August 2022, Bishop Silouan officiated at the Matins service and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Berri.
Despite it being a business day, the church was flooded by faithful from Berri and the other towns of the Riverland area, to whom His Grace preached about the deep love that the Most Holy Theotokos has for every human being and the power that the intercessions to her Son and our God and Saviour Jesus Christ hold on each of our lives.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Silouan conveyed to the faithful the paternal wishes and blessings of our Father and Archbishop, Makarios of Australia, and thanked Fr Demetrios Moraitis as well as the President and the Members of the Parish-Community Committee for their tireless and God loving service to the Church and the parishioners.
Afterwards Bishop Silouan blessed the beautiful festive lunch that all Church attendees shared, in an atmosphere of joy, fellowship, and an outpouring of love for Christ.
Before leaving for Adelaide, Bishop Silouan spent time with Fr Demetrios and the Committee, while thanking and encouraging all the valued stewards of the Church in their edifying Christ-centred ministry.
