On Pascha Sunday, April 12, in an atmosphere of Resurrection joy, the Vespers of Love was celebrated with due splendor and solemnity at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney.
The service was presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, surrounded by Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebasteia and Bishops Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint George Yellow Rock; Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod; and Christophoros of Kerasounta, Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
All clergy of the city of Sydney participated, while among those present were the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, with his wife Larissa Tikaidi; the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Georgios Skemperis; the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Andreas Liveris, President of the Order of “St. Andrew the Apostle,” and Theodosios Penklis, Secretary General of the Archdiocesan Council, both with their families; as well as representatives of organizations and institutions of the Holy Archdiocese.
The Gospel of the Resurrection was proclaimed in various languages, while, in his brief address, the Archbishop expressed heartfelt thanks to the hierarchs, clergy, chanters, and all volunteers who—especially during Holy Week, a demanding period marked by the widespread participation of the faithful in the sacred services—fulfilled their ministries in an exemplary manner.
He also referred to the turbulent period humanity is currently experiencing, with tensions and conflicts escalating on the international stage. “We are living in a time of wars and rumors of wars,” he observed, noting that although there has recently been talk of ceasefire and peace in the Middle East, if such peace has an expiration date, it essentially constitutes preparation for another war.
Expressing concern over this fragile situation and its consequences, he emphasized that the Church is called to bear witness to the love and peace of Christ to the world.
“We must speak and preach, but above all our very life must be light, teaching and proclaiming Christ. Our life, our actions, our conduct—even our very breath—must reflect the witness of Christ and the light of the Resurrection,” he stressed.
Concluding, Archbishop Makarios of Australia wished that the grace of the Risen Christ would bless those present and their families. At the end, he distributed red Paschal eggs, exchanging the Resurrection greeting: “Christ is Risen – Truly He is Risen.”
Photos: Markellos Petropoulos
