On Saturday, January 4, at the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary “Axion Esti” in Melbourne, the funeral service for the late Vasiliki Vasilopoulou, the beloved mother of Bishop Evmenios of Chora, was conducted in an atmosphere of profound emotion.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the funeral service, joined by Metropolitan Ezekiel of Derby, Bishops Iakovos of Militoupolis, Kyriakos of Melbourne, Christodoulos of Magnesia, Evmenios of Chora, and Bartholomew of Brisbane, along with several clergy from the Holy Dioceses of Chora and Melbourne.
Federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Vassilios Papastergiadis, along with presidents and representatives of various Greek diaspora organizations and associations in Victoria, as well as relatives and loved ones of the deceased, attended the packed Holy Monastery of “Axion Esti.”
Archbishop Makarios delivered the eulogy, expressing his heartfelt conviction that, for the late Vasiliki Vasilopoulou, death marks the beginning of her transition to eternal life.
He also described her as a person endowed with many gifts and virtues, who tirelessly sought to offer to her fellow humans—not only material support but also her kind words, her smile, and the time she devoted to listening to and supporting those in need. As he noted, her great love and sacrificial spirit “are the seals on Vasiliki’s passport, guiding her journey from death to eternal life.”
Addressing Bishop Evmenios and the other relatives of the deceased, the Archbishop conveyed the condolences of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as those of all the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. He personally extended his heartfelt wishes for them to cherish the memory of the late Vasiliki for many years, praying that God grants her rest among the Saints and the Righteous.
At the conclusion of the funeral service, the burial took place at the Fawkner Memorial Park cemetery.
