The Holy Diocese of Perth continues to experience strong and sustained interest from people seeking to embrace the Orthodox Christian faith.
As part of this growing movement, Bishop Elpidios of Perth presided over the Baptism service of seven adults at the Church of Evangelismos in West Perth on Saturday, 25 July 2026, following their completion of a period of catechetical instruction conducted by the Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, the Very Reverend Fr Emmanuel Stamatiou.
Those baptised received the names: Theophan, Spyridon, Prokopios, Zoe, Sarah, Michael and Seraphim.
This was the second group Baptism held at the Evangelismos Church in 2026, following the first in May. To date, 21 people have been received into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism this year, with a further group Baptism scheduled for October.
Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 46 people from a wide variety of backgrounds and walks of life have been baptised into the Orthodox faith at the Church of Evangelismos.
The Holy Diocese of Perth continues to receive a consistently high number of inquiries from people wishing to become Orthodox. Unlike in previous years, many inquirers now approach the Church already well informed about the Orthodox faith and having resolved to embrace Orthodoxy even before commencing their formal period of catechism.
To support this growth, the Church of Evangelismos celebrates the Divine Liturgy in English every Saturday morning. These services are very well attended, reflecting the increasing number of people entering the Orthodox Church. Attendance at the Saturday English-language services is now approaching that of the Greek-language Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sundays.
It is also particularly encouraging that many of those who attend the Saturday English-language services also participate in the Sunday Greek-language services, demonstrating their desire to become fully integrated into the liturgical and communal life of the Church.
At the conclusion of the Baptism service of the seven adults, His Grace conveyed to the newly illumined the blessing and paternal love of Archbishop Makarios of Australia. He encouraged them always to remain close to the Church, reminding them that “Christ is the oxygen of our souls.”
