The Feast of the Annunciation was solemnly celebrated on Thursday, the 25th of March, at the celebrating Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern, Sydney. Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebastia presided over the Divine Liturgy which was concelebrated by the Bishops Iakovos of Militopolis and Emilianos of Meloa.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Hierarchical Head of the Cathedral, Archimandrite Fr. Christoforos Krikelis, read the message of Archbishop Makarios of Australia for the double celebration of the 25th of March.
In addition, Metropolitan Seraphim, addressing the congregation, spoke of a double celebration; The freedom from the slavery of the devil with the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and the redemption of the Greek Nation from Turkish slavery. “We celebrate spiritual freedom but also national freedom today,” he underlined and wished: “May God let us celebrate these days with pride, by praising Him who gave us spiritual rebirth but also by honouring the Greek Heroes of the 1821 Revolution for Independence who sacrificed themselves in the sake of our freedom.”
It is recalled that the official celebration of the Greek 200-year anniversary of the War of Independence in Sydney will take place on Sunday the 28th of March. A Doxology will be performed at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern at 10:00 p.m., which will be followed by a memorial service and wreath-laying at 1:00 pm at the Martin Place. Australian Cypriot diplomatic authorities and the chairpersons of the Greek Associations and Fraternities will attend the services.
