On Wednesday, 11 January 2023, Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea, conducted an official visit to the ‘Hellenic Aged Care’ facility in Perth, for the annual Agiasmos blessing on the occasion of the Great Feast Day of Theophany.
Bishop Elpidios, who was aided by Father Terry Gerovasilis, Parish Priest of the Church Saints Constantine and Helene, visited all 92 residents of the facility, as well as the staff, and blessed them with the Holy Cross and the Holy Water kept from the service of the “Great Sanctification of the Waters” held on January 5 and 6.
Some residents, while venerating the Holy Cross, reverently sang together the Apolytikion of the Feast Day: “O Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan…”, while others drank from the holy water.
It was touching that both Orthodox and non-Orthodox tenants approached to be blessed by the Holy Cross. In addition, many family members of the residents, who happened to visit their relatives that day, also asked to be blessed.
It is noted that the Hellenic Aged Care facility is located close to the offices of the Archdiocesan District of Perth, while it is co-located with Saint Andrew’s Grammar School, ensuring a sense of community with the students, who also visit the aged care facility.