Palm Sunday was solemnly celebrated at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries in the suburb of Oakleigh, Melbourne. Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne presided over the Matins and the Divine Liturgy, accompanied by the parish priest, Fr. Stavros Kakavas. More than 1,100 faithful gathered reverently to pray on the last Sunday before Holy Week. The church was filled to capacity, with many patiently remaining outside.
Bishop Kyriakos conveyed to all the paternal blessings and warm wishes of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, affirming the Archbishop’s deep spiritual bond and love for the Parish of Oakleigh.
During his sermon, the Bishop reflected on the meaning of Palm Sunday, encouraging the faithful to enter Holy Week with humility and hope: “The Lord enters Jerusalem not as the king of this world,” he emphasized, “but as the King of peace, riding humbly on a donkey. Let us open the gates of our hearts to receive Him, not only with palm branches, but with repentance, love, and faith that bears fruit.”
The devout atmosphere was further elevated by the excellent chanting of hymns by the protopsaltis Konstantinos Damatopoulos.
Among those present were MP Stavros Dimopoulos and the leadership of Oakleigh Grammar School.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a traditional lunch was held in the school hall, providing a meaningful opportunity for fellowship and strengthening the bonds within the Greek Orthodox community.
