With the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the North Coast Archdiocese of Victoria was held in the State of Victoria.
Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote, Archimandrite Evmenios Vasilopoulos, blessed and cut the New Year’s vasilopita at the Axion Esti Monastery in Victoria State, on Thursday, January 14, 2021 as reported by vema.com.au.
The clergy of the district, the representative of the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, Victoria State MP Kat Theophanous, a representative of the municipality, as well as the presidents and members of the Archdiocese’s organizations, and the head and students of Saint Ioannis College attended the ceremony.
Fr. Evmenios urged those who attended the event to set goals of unity and cooperation at the beginning of the new year.
Fr. Evmenios told the history and the church tradition associated with the vasilopita. “We learn about the selfless good deeds, the will to help others, regardless of cost, and the goodness of the heart,” he said, noting that the above are part of the goals achieved in 2020 with the Holy Archdiocese’s Social Relief Program. “Last year we were taught the significance of donation, cooperation and unity,” pointed out Fr. Evmenios, “2020 was a fruitful year that brought together for our Archdiocesan District, and for all Greeks in Melbourne and Victoria.”
Inspired by the First Epistle to the Corinthians by Paul the Apostle, Fr. Evmenios said: “The body of Christ, which is all humankind, is a group. This Body is not one person but all of us.” Emphasizing that “we are stronger when we work together,” he sent the message that “cooperation between us is the key to a harmonious life so that we can act according to the will of God.”
He also conveyed the wishes and love of Archbishop Makarios, as well as Archbishop’s hope for a new year full of love, unity, courage and hope.