Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane visited the regional city of Rockhampton for the feast day of Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentapolis.
Bishop Bartholomew was accompanied by Father Nicholas Brown, Parish Priest of the Dormition of Our Lady, Mt Gravatt and the Head Chanter of the Church of Saint Anna on the Gold Coast and Teacher of the Byzantine Music School of the Diocese of Brisbane, Mr John Politakis.
Bishop Bartholomew commenced with Vespers on the eve of the feast and on the feast day presided over the Matins service and celebrated the Divine Liturgy with the presence of pilgrims from Brisbane. At the conclusion of the service a litany was conducted with the holy relics and icon of the Saint.
In his sermon, Bishop Bartholomew spoke about humility, purity of heart, the importance of forgiveness and trusting in God’s providence, traits that Saint Nectarios embodied.
His Grace then conveyed the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to the congregation and thanked the Kondilis family for their dedication and commitment in maintaining the church.
Moreover, Bishop Bartholomew thanked the faithful for their effort in attending the feast day celebrations in particular thanking the Senior Citizens of the Parish of the Dormition of Our Lady, Mt Gravatt under the leadership of Mrs Irene Cayas. Rockhampton is approximately a seven-hour drive north of Brisbane.
