With ecclesiastical splendor and emotion, the memory of Saint Dimitrios the Myrrh-streamer and Great Martyr was celebrated in the Archdiocesan District of Northcote of Victoria, with the focus of the celebrations held at the Holy Church of Saint Dimitrios in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds.
Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, on the eve of the feast, officiated during the Festive Hierarchical Vespers, while on the main day of the Feast His Grace presided over the Divine Liturgy, joined by many clergy of the Archdiocesan District of Northcote.
The hymns of the Holy Services were wonderfully sung by a choir of teachers and students of the School of Byzantine Music, while especially during Vespers, the Troparion of Saint Dimitrios was sung by students of the Greek school of the Parish who moved the congregation and received warm applause.
During his sermon, Bishop Evmenios, after conveying to the faithful the paternal wishes of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, referred to the life of Saint Dimitrios the Great Martyr and made a special mention, to His disciple, Saint Nestor, who, when called upon to duel with the formidable gladiator Lyaeus, visited the Saint in prison to consult him and obtain his blessing.
The specific event, pointed out by Bishop Evmenios, should be an example for young and old, so that for every critical decision in their lives they should consult their elders on the one hand and ask for the blessing of the Church on the other. “The advice and the blessing of the Church means a positive result, as it happened with Nestor, who finally prevailed in the duel”, added Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta in closing.
