With the aim of promoting volunteerism, the Archdiocese of Northcote, at the urging of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, organized an Information Day on “Volunteering as a Timeless Humanitarian Value” on Sunday, May 23, at the Holy Monastery of Axion Esti.
The event, which began with a Doxology of thanksgiving, was attended by a large number of clergy of the region, led by the Archiepiscopal Vicar of the District of Northcote, Fr Evmenios Vasilopoulos.
The Doxology was followed by a greeting and a speech by the Coordinator of the Elderly Associations in Melbourne, Giannis Pilalidis, who referred to the great work of the volunteers and pointed out that volunteering has become a way of life in the local Church. Pilalidis concluded his speech with a wish: “Altogether, to try even harder, to offer, even more, to support volunteering, even more, to make our parish and the country we live in more optimistic, and more friendly”.
Afterwards, the floor was given to the Archiepiscopal Vicar of the District of Northcote, Fr Evmenios Vasilopoulos, who, after welcoming and thanking the attendees, focused on the concept of volunteerism which is identified with ministry in ecclesiastical terminology. “Volunteering in its true dimension is a ministry”, underlined Fr. Evmenios, “and this is because everything finds its true existence in the person of Christ”. “Christ lived a life founded in the Ministry to fellow humans,” he pointed out, adding: “He did not come to be served, but to serve as the Bible tells us. Christ became the great volunteer, deacon, and benefactor of mankind. This is what the other saints of our Church did, in whatever century they lived. They helped people, not only with speech but especially with works. “Some went so far as to offer their lives to save someone else, or to sell themselves as slaves in order to free others.”
Then, Fr Evmenios referred to the parable of the good Samaritan, noting: “The Samaritan showed his love to a wounded and according to the tradition his enemy, teaching in practice that the offer should be extended to all.” “As Christians, let us love the whole world,” he urged, “regardless of religion, and the color of their skin.” “Discrimination between people,” he continued, “does not exist for the person who serves and is a volunteer. We must, therefore, become humans for each of our fellow humans, in all their needs. Everyone asks for a good listener of their problems, a smile and a sincere and pure hug”.
In closing, Fr. Evmenios expressed his gratitude to all the volunteers, while conveying the cordial thanks of Archbishop Makarios for what they do for the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, for the Parishes and its clergy, and for all that it offers. Each in the local community, in the neighborhood, in the city, and more broadly in the state.
After the speech of Fr. Evmenios, sweets and refreshments were offered, and all those present had the opportunity to exchange views and suggestions about volunteering.
Source: vema.com.au