The Parish and Community of St. John in Parramatta, Sydney, celebrated its Patron Saint, the Honorable Forerunner, with a series of blessings and festivities for the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. The two-day celebration, held on August 28 and 29, included a series of liturgical and communal events.
With the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Bishop Iakovos of Militoupolis presided over the services marking the eve and feast day. In his sermon, Bishop Iakovos conveyed heartfelt wishes to the parishioners and underscored the significance of their spiritual journey. He stated, “If our time is not dedicated to preparing for eternal life, then we risk wasting it. It is a profound blessing to be children of the Church.”
Reflecting on the life of St. John the Baptist, Bishop Iakovos emphasized that the saint’s mission was to call people to repentance and spiritual renewal. He encouraged the faithful to embody the virtues of Saint John, such as temperance, humility, and steadfastness, and to cooperate with God in their personal growth and transformation. The celebrations were marked by a spirit of devotion and reflection, fostering a deeper connection to the teachings of the Church.
Source: greek.vema.com.au / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
