In an atmosphere of spiritual joy, Perth celebrated the feast of Christmas in the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin. Bishop of Elpidios of Kyanes presided over the Christmas Divine Liturgy.
The Bishop read in Greek and English the Christmas encyclical of the Archbishop of Australia, emphasizing how important it is “to kneel before the manger of the Christ not to ask for things for ourselves or goods nor cure for diseases and pandemics. Let us ask Jesus Christ for one thing only: Let His will be done in our lives and not ours. And, at the same time, together with the angels to sing: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men”.
In the end, Bishop Elpidios, on behalf of the Parish/Community of the Annunciation of the Virgin, offered an epitrachelion to Protpresbyter Fr. Emmanuel Stamatiou as a gift for his name day.
The Bishop also informed the congregation that on Christmas afternoon he would leave for Sydney and that he would convey the love of the faithful of Western Australia to the Archbishop.