The Great Festive Vespers was celebrated with religious splendor on the afternoon of Monday, December 11, at the celebrating Parish of Saint Spyridon in the suburb of Kingsford, Sydney, in the memory of Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimithounta, the Wonderworker.
With the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebastia presided over the Divine Liturgy, surrounded by many clergymen of the city of Sydney. Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand also attended the service.
At the end of the Vespers, before the sermon, Metropolitan Seraphim welcomed the Metropolitan of New Zealand with cordial brotherly speeches, emphasizing the timeless close ties between the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and the missionary Metropolis of Australia.
Subsequently, the Metropolitan of Sevastia addressed the congregation and, presenting aspects of the life and virtues of the honored Saint, urged everyone to try to imitate him. He stressed that the countless miracles performed by Saint Spyridon were the result of his deep faith in God.
“Miracles don’t rely on magic; they stem from genuine faith,” pointed out the Metropolitan. “Saint Spyridon embodied such unwavering faith. He believed unconditionally in God’s omnipotence, devoting himself entirely to divine providence. This steadfastness in faith remained unwavering from his days as a layman. His faith was akin to that which Christ described, capable of moving mountains. This is why he performed so many miracles.”
Metropolitan Seraphim also stressed Saint Spyridon’s exceptional virtue of patience. He recalled the Saint’s numerous tribulations and the loss of his family, highlighting how Spyridon faced these hardships with patience, stating that “patience is nurtured through unwavering faith in God.” Lastly, he underscored virtues such as simplicity, meekness, kindness, and humility, concluding that “we’re called to cultivate these virtues and embody the essence of Saint Spyridon, becoming people of God as he was.”