On the Sunday of the Paralytic, 3 May 2026, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne visited the Parish of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist in the suburb of Carlton, where he presided at the Matins and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the parish priest Fr Emmanuel Lykopandis and Fr George Vryonis.
The sacred gathering of the faithful on this day, which commemorates the healing of the paralytic by our Lord, became a living image of the mercy of Christ, reminding all present that the true restoration of the human person is found in the encounter with the living God. The presence of Bishop Kyriakos brought great spiritual joy and consolation to the congregation, as he joined the faithful in prayer and devotion, bearing witness to the unity of the Church and the abiding grace of the Risen Christ, who calls every person to rise from spiritual illness and walk in newness of life.
The Sunday of the Paralytic, celebrated on the fourth Sunday after Pascha, invites the faithful into the mystery of Christ’s healing power, as revealed in the Gospel account of the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–15). For thirty-eight years, the man remained in a state of physical and spiritual weakness, yet in a single moment, through the word of Christ, he was healed. Bishop Kyriakos reminded the faithful that the Church presents this event not merely as a historical miracle, but as a profound image of the human condition, enfeebled by sin, immobilised by despair, and yet always awaiting the life-giving encounter with the Lord. In this Paschal season, the Sunday of the Paralytic proclaims that the Risen Christ continues to seek out every person, offering healing, renewal, and the strength to rise from spiritual paralysis into the fullness of life in Him.
Bishop Kyriakos conveyed to the faithful the paternal love, blessings, and heartfelt wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in the faith, drawing inspiration from the paralytic, who, despite his affliction, placed his hope in Christ. In this way, His Grace emphasised that every believer is called to rise from the paralysis of sin, despair, and spiritual indifference, responding to the Lord’s command: “Rise, take up your bed, and walk.”
With pastoral care, Bishop Kyriakos reminded the congregation that the Church is not merely a place of worship, but the very “Pool of Bethesda,” where Christ continually heals, restores, and renews those who approach Him with humility and faith. He encouraged all to cultivate a life of prayer, repentance, and participation in the liturgical life, so that the grace of the Risen Lord may transform their lives.
