The Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist was celebrated on Saturday the 24th of June at the Holy Monastery of Saint John in Perth.
Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea, with the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, presided at the Vespers Service the night before and officiated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the actual day of the feast.
In his sermon, the Bishop focussed on the Gospel pericope of the day stating, “The prophets Isaiah and Malachi of the Old Testament predicted Saint John’s coming into the world as Christ’s messenger, as God’s gift to the world; and St John’s birth was truly God’s gift not only to his parents Zachariah and Elizabeth, but also to all humanity. This is why the Archangel Gabriel gave him the name John, for John means God’s gift. In fact, all children conceived in their mother’s womb are a gift and miracle from God. God brings them into this world, through their parents, to do good, to praise God, to benefit humanity and to bring joy to their parents”.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy the Bishop conveyed to all the faithful the blessing and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and announced the forthcoming Pastoral Visit of the Bishop to Perth that has been scheduled for July.
Following the Divine Liturgy a brunch was held in the monastery’s refectory.
