Bishop Elpidios of Kyanes officiated the Vespers of Forgiveness on Cheesefare Saturday at the Church of Saint Nektarios, next to the new offices of the Archdiocese of Perth.
During his sermon, the BIshop first referred to the importance of forgiveness and then explained briefly the prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, as reported by vema.com.au.
Bishop Elpidios focused on the passions of sloth, despondency, love of power, and idle talk, emphasizing that “during the Holy Lent, we have the opportunity to deal with them with a spirit of wisdom, humility, patience and love.”
It is noted that the Vespers of Forgiveness is the first service of the Holy and Great Lent and reminds us that there can be no true fasting, repentance and reconciliation with God if we are not reconciled to each other at the same time. We do not follow the path of Lent as individuals but as members of a family.
After the service, both the clergy and the faithful asked each other for forgiveness before taking the path that will lead them to the Holy Pascha.