With particular splendour and reverence, and with the participation of hundreds of faithful, the great Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated on Tuesday, 8 September, at the Pilgrimage Church of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill, Victoria.
Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra presided over the Matins and the feast day Hierarchical Divine Liturgy as the representative of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
From the early hours of the morning, large numbers of devout pilgrims arrived at the Pilgrimage Church from various parts of Victoria, while organised buses transported faithful from more distant areas so that they could participate in the feast and venerate the revered Icon of Panagia Kamariani. Hundreds of faithful filled the Holy Church.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the holy Icon of Panagia Kamariani was carried in procession, with the participation of the clergy and the large congregation.
In his homily, Bishop Athinagoras reflected upon the profound theological meaning of the Nativity of the Theotokos and the place of the Panagia within the mystery of the Divine Economy, emphasising that her birth marks the beginning of the fulfilment of God’s divine promise for the salvation of humankind.
At the conclusion of the liturgical celebrations, Bishop Athinagoras conveyed to the clergy and the entire congregation the paternal love, best wishes and blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia. He also expressed his gratitude to Bishop Evmenios of Chora for his honoured presence and prayerful participation, as well as to the clergy who had gathered to concelebrate the great feast of the Pilgrimage Church.
On behalf of the Parish, the Proistamenos of the Pilgrimage Church, Archimandrite Fr Irinaios Koikas, warmly welcomed Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra and thanked him for his presence and for presiding over the liturgical celebrations of the feast, as well as for conveying the best wishes and love of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
As an expression of gratitude and filial respect, Fr Irinaios, on behalf of the Parish Council and the Ladies’ Philoptochos, presented His Grace with an episcopal engolpion bearing the image of Panagia Kamariani, as a commemorative gift marking his first episcopal presence at the feast of the Pilgrimage Church.
Following the completion of the liturgical programme, the first part of the Parish’s festive and cultural celebrations took place in the parish hall. The celebrations of the Pilgrimage Church will culminate on Sunday, 13 September, with the presence of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who will preside over the Matins and the Divine Liturgy.
