At midnight on Holy Saturday, the Paschal hymn “Christ is risen from the dead…” resounded solemnly in the suburb of Kogarah in Sydney, where the magnificent Church of the Resurrection of Christ stands. Its echo was also felt in the hearts of thousands of faithful of all ages, who gathered with reverence, spiritual joy, and deep emotion to celebrate the triumph of life over death and light over darkness.
The Resurrection service, followed by the Festal Divine Liturgy, was presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia of Australia, flanked by Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint George in Yellow Rock, and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia and Parish Priest of the Church of the Resurrection in Kogarah.
Following the “Come receive the light,” Archbishop Makarios of Australia, together with the Bishops, proceeded to a specially arranged platform at the entrance of the church. From there, shortly thereafter, they joined the faithful in chanting “Christ is Risen!” in an atmosphere of profound reverence and spiritual emotion.
As the darkness gave way to the glow of candles held by the assembled faithful, the Bishops of Miletoupolis and Magnesia read the Archbishop’s Paschal Encyclical in both Greek and English, calling all to a genuine experience of the unwaning light of the Resurrection.
“As one who bears the light of Christ is calm and peaceful. He becomes a quiet strength and does not seek to prove anything about himself. He does not strive to influence or to stand out. He does not give in order to receive. He shines effortlessly and loves without expecting anything in return,” the Archbishop emphasized in his message.
Among those present at the celebration of the radiant Resurrection, at the Church of the Resurrection in Kogarah, were the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, accompanied by his wife Larissa Tikaidi; the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Georgios Sceberis; the Greek-Australian Minister for Multiculturalism of New South Wales, Steve Kamper, representing the State Premier Chris Minns; Members of Parliament; representatives of local government; and the Secretary General of the Archdiocesan Council and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Theodosios Penklis, accompanied by his wife Marianna, among others.
Photos: Markellos Petropoulos
