For the first time ever in the history of Orthodoxy in Tasmania, a Bishop blessed the local waters on the occasion of the Feast of Holy Epiphany.
With the Blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis traveled to Tasmania and with the assistance of the two local priests, Father Irinaios Kiokas and Reverend Father Dimitrios Katsis, conducted the Blessing of the Waters service in Hobart, Tasmania.
In his speech, Bishop Bartholomew emphasized that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia under the esteemed leadership of Archbishop Makarios shows love and respect not only to the Greeks of the major capital cities of Australia, the greeks of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide but to all Greeks of Australia.
Bishop Bartholomew emphasized that the people of Tasmania are no longer put aside and forgotten as second-class Greeks, we as an Archdiocese, children of the Mother Church of Constantinople love you and value you and we will do everything with the Grace of God to continue to promote Orthodoxy and Hellenism on the island.
Bishop Bartholomew thanked everyone for attending and wished them a fruitful and prosperous new year and pleaded with them to follow Christ in all things. Bishop Bartholomew thanked all the young men for participating in the event by diving in the blessed waters. The cross was retrieved by young John Anagnostis. Bishop Bartholomew wished him abundant heavenly blessings and a blessed year ahead.
Tradition music and food was then organized in the parking area giving Bishop Bartholomew the opportunity to converse with the local Greek Orthodox faithful. This event indeed will remain a historical and wonderful day for Hobart, Tasmania.
