Official Blessing and Cutting of the Vasilopita at the Archdiocesan District of Perth
On Tuesday, 3 January 2023, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea conducted the annual official blessing and cutting of the Vasilopita in the Conference Room at the Archdiocesan District of Perth offices in Dianella.
Over two hundred people attended the event, including approximately fifty representatives from various local Hellenic and Greek Orthodox community organisations. The Consul for Greece in Perth, Mrs Georgia Karasiotou, together with representatives from St Andrew’s Grammar Day School and the Cross Bearers of our Holy Archdiocese also attended. Clergy from the Archdiocesan District of Perth were also present.
In his address, His Grace conveyed to all the faithful the paternal blessings and well-wishes for the new year of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and encouraged the faithful to strengthen their faith and love in the new year, reflecting on the terrible tragedy of the war in the Ukraine.
Furthermore, His Grace emphasised the example of St Basil the Great who came from a family of seven saints and who also befriended saints such as St Gregory the Theologian. “The example of St Basil is that our family and friends can be two important factors that bring us closer to God.”
The faithful were also reminded of the historical meaning of the Christmas Tree and how it originated from Constantinople. His Grace stated, “The Christmas Tree has come to represent Christ Who is the Tree of Life as outlined in the Scriptures and in our ecclesiastical hymns”.
During the ceremony of the cutting of the Vasilopita, His Grace distributed one piece to all of the dignitaries and representatives from the various organisations. The coin was found in the piece given to Mrs Mary Krinos, representing the United Hellenic Association of Bunbury. The prize given to the association for finding the coin was a specially minted $100 gold coin, produced by the Perth Mint. The coin contained on one side the Archdiocese logo, and on the other side a special message commemorating the Official 2023 Cutting of the Vasilopita.
Finally, once all of the dignitaries and representative had received a piece, all the faithful were invited to come forward to receive a piece and receive the blessing of His Grace.
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