It is with great sadness that the Holy Archdiocese of Australia informs faithful about the fire that occurred in the Holy Church of St Andrew, Noarlunga, on Saturday evening, 30 March 2024.
Τhe Fire Service rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire in a short time. The Fire cause investigators regarded the fire as not suspicious, but they were unable to determine its cause. The cost of the damages will be estimated in the ensuing days. The parishioners of the Parish of Saint Andrew are devastated, but at the same time determined to help each in their own way to repair the damage.
Bishop Silouan of Sinope, the Archepiscopal Vicar of Adelaide, on behalf of Archbishop Makarios of Australia consoled: “Tragedies are always unwanted and unexpected, even if, with God’s help, they are accepted. During this sacred period of Great Lent our thoughts and prayers are intensified, while being immersed in even more compunction. The Church will be rebuilt because the Church is Christ. The Church is never destroyed because it is crucified and glorified, humbled and exalted. The Church is forever excelling in brilliance through the radiance of its perpetual resurrection.”
On Sunday, 31 March 2024, the Holy Services of Matins and the Divine Liturgy were held outside the church, as the faithful are not going to allow this tragic event to affect their worship. On the contrary, their faith were strengthened, by the grace of God, and they are unwavering in their determination to soon restore their church to its former beauty and glory and to beautify it even more for the glory of God.
