Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the celebration of the Holy Epiphany at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Sydney.
The Metropolitan presided over the Orthros, the Great Blessing of the Waters, and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the great feast of Orthodoxy. He was accompanied by the Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese and Hierarchical Head of the Cathedral, Archimandrite Christoforos Krikelis of the Ecumenical Throne, Archimandrite Stefanos Tinikashvili, and other clergy members from the city of Sydney.
Among the large congregation were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, and his wife; the Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and criminologist from Greece, Athanasios Kechagioglou; and the Vice President of St. Basil’s, Dr. Theodosios Penklis, and his wife.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios offered paternal wishes to all, praying for them to receive divine enlightenment and every blessing in their lives. In addition, he wished for everyone to have the spiritual clarity to discern their enlightened brothers and the voices of wisdom from those that are errant and disorienting.
It is noted that the official celebration of the Epiphany, including the Blessing of the Waters ceremony and the participation of all Sydney parishes, will take place on Sunday, January 12, at Carss Bush Park, starting at 1 p.m. A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the Sydney suburb of Kogarah, beginning at 7 a.m.
