The Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos was Celebrated with Great Splendour in WA
The Great Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos was celebrated with great splendour at the Church of Evangelismos in Perth, WA.
The celebrations commenced with the Hierarchical Vespers Service presided by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea on Saturday the 14th of August. The faithful and clergy from all the parishes in Perth attended this very special service as it included the reciting of the Lamentations (Engomia) of the Virgin Mary in front of the beautiful decorated Epitaphios of the Holy Theotokos.
At the conclusion of the Vespers Service His Grace briefly explained to all how everything in the life of the Virgin Mary is filled with a number of
paradoxical events including her birth, the entrance into the Temple, the Annunciation and finally her Dormition. This was then followed by a brief outline of the Magnificat which is a hymn of the Theotokos giving praise and thanksgiving to God and which accordingly appears in the Gospel of Luke.
On the actual day of the feast a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated and officiated by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea. The Consul of Greece in Perth, Mrs Georgia Karasiotou, the President of the Parish/Community of Evangelismos, Mr John Karakatsanakis, together with a large number of faithful were in attendance. The Festal Message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for the Feast of the Dormition was read in both the Greek and English languages. His Eminence emphasised the importance of not losing hope and always showing faith and dedication towards God’s will.
In addition, His Eminence’s message on the Greece Fire Appeal was also read encouraging the faithful to contribute to the very sacred cause.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy a procession with the icon of the feast took place around the outside of the church. Prior to the Dismissal His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea conveyed to all the blessings and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. This was then followed by a delicious meal on the church grounds.
