With the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Archdiocesan Parish of St. Eustathius in South Melbourne celebrated with grandeur the feast of its patron, St. Eustathius the Great Martyr. Clergy, monastics, and faithful from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne filled the church to honor the occasion.
The celebrations began on Friday, September 19, with the Archieratical Great Vespers, and culminated on Saturday, September 20, with Orthros and the Archieratical Divine Liturgy.
Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, visiting Australia to participate in the forthcoming 2nd Pan-Australian Clergy-Laity Congress in Sydney, presided over the Divine Liturgy.
Concelebrating with him were Hieromonk Chrysostomos, Elder of the Holy Cell of St. John Chrysostom of the Skete of Koutloumousiou Monastery, and Fr. Theoklitos from Xenophontos Monastery on Mount Athos, alongside local clergy.
Also present were Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Evmenios of Chora. Bishop Kyriakos attended both services, warmly welcoming the visiting hierarchs and monastics and extending the greetings of the local Church.
During his sermon, Metropolitan Ioustinos spoke with emotion about the life and martyrdom of Saint Eustathius and his family, highlighting their witness of worldly glory, patience in trials, and ultimate sacrifice: “Saint Eustathius, who was once a general of the empire, became a general of the Cross, leading his family not into battle, but into the Kingdom of Heaven. His life shows us that true victory does not lie in conquest, but in sacrifice and unwavering faith in Christ,” he emphasized.
Also, the Metropolitan of Nea Krini and Kalamaria expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop Makarios of Australia, thanking him for the blessing of visiting Melbourne and presiding over the Feast of the Parish of St. Eustatius: “I thank Archbishop Makarios for his paternal blessing to be with you during this feast. It is a great honor and joy to serve in this beautiful parish. I also thank Bishop Kyriakos for his warm hospitality and brotherly love.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, a Trisagion was offered for the repose of the late Elder Vasileios (Gontikakis), former abbot of Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos.
With deep reverence, Metropolitan Ioustinos honored his memory, stating: “Elder Vasileios was a living flame of Athonite tradition and hesychastic silence. His legacy endures not only in the monastery he served, but also in the countless souls he enlightened with the love of Christ. May his memory be eternal.”
Among the distinguished attendees were the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, and Archon of the Great Church of Christ, Antonios Tsourdalakis.
