The Church of St. Nektarios in Fawkner was the heart of services for St. Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis, which took place in Northcote District, Victoria. In previous years, hundreds of believers from all over the State reverently gathered at the celebrating church to attend the liturgy and participate in the procession of the holy icon and the relics of the saint.
During this year’s celebration, which marks one hundred years since St. Nektarios’ repose, no more than twenty faithful were allows to attend the service due to the CVOID-19 restrictive measures in Victoria. However, the procession took place normally and was live-streamed on the internet.
In his sermon during the Vespers service, as reported by vema.com.au, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote, Archimandrite Evmenios Vasilopoulos referred to the great difficulties that Saint Nektarios faced in his life, likening them to the trials we are experiencing at this time, as well as his struggle to overcome them. “Although the Saint was persecuted and suffered by many, even by people within the Church, he did not abandon the Church or his faith,” underlined, among others, Fr. Evmenios, and added: “His silence, his love and his forgiveness to all his slanderers is a great spiritual example for us.”
In the sermon during the Divine Liturgy, on Monday morning, Fr. Evmenios referred extensively to the life of Saint Nektarios, noting that he demonstrated with his example that “whoever wants to can live in the world and exercise his spiritual duties.” “We must recognize that we have a great responsibility to set a spiritual example to our fellow human beings so that we can spread the love of Christ,” stressed the Archimandrite. He warmly thanked the young people who took care of the live-streaming of the procession.
Finally, Fr. Evmenios conveyed to the faithful the cordial wishes and the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.