Archbishop Makarios of Australia began a pastoral visit to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, to preside over the Feast Day of the Holy Glorious Virgin-Martyr Saint Paraskevi and to officiate the Consecration of the new church bearing her name in the suburb of Taigum.
On the evening of Friday, July 25, the Archbishop led the Great Festal Vespers, attended by Bishops Bartholomew of Brisbane and Jacob of Miletoupolis, the local clergy, and numerous devout Christians.
In his sermon, Archbishop Makarios focused on the life and virtues of Saint Paraskevi, the patroness of the celebrating parish, noting that “through her unwavering faith and miraculous healings, she has inspired generations of Christians and brought hope and healing to countless souls.” He emphasized, “Saint Paraskevi shines in our Church as a bright star of steadfast faith, asceticism, and martyrdom.” The Archbishop continued, “From her youth, she dedicated herself completely to serving God, living a life of purity, prayer, and spiritual discipline. She boldly preached Christ during times of persecution, undeterred by threats, torture, or even the shadow of death. In the face of great suffering, she became a living image of Christ’s love and mercy, performing healing miracles, especially for those suffering from eye diseases, and thus became known as a miracle worker and healer by the grace of the Holy Spirit.”
Archbishop Makarios also highlighted the great blessing that the upcoming Consecration of the Saint Paraskevi Church in Brisbane on her feast day (Saturday, July 26) represents for the parish community. He praised the dedication and efforts of those who lovingly contributed to the parish’s founding and growth. He explained that the consecration ceremony sanctifies the church building and dedicates it to the eternal glory of the Lord. “The church building,” he stated, “is not merely a place where Orthodox Christians gather. It is not just bricks, wood, and stone. When a church is consecrated, it becomes the dwelling of God, a sanctified space set apart for divine worship and the mysteries of our salvation. The consecration transforms the building into a sacred altar of Heaven on earth. During the consecration, we will place the holy relics of the martyrs within the Holy Altar, thus uniting our worship with the blood and witness of those who sacrificed for Christ. We will anoint the Holy Altar and the walls with holy chrism, dedicating the space to God’s service and grace. We will pray for the Holy Spirit to descend upon this building, making it forever a house of prayer, peace, healing, and sanctification.”
In closing, Archbishop Makarios expressed his conviction that the Consecration of the Saint Paraskevi Church will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the parish, a chapter of unity, devotion, and spiritual growth.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
