Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne at the Feast Day of the Church of Saint Catherine, Malvern
On Sunday and Monday, 24th and 25th November 2024, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne officiated at the Hierarchical Vespers and presided over the Matins and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Catherine in Malvern East, Melbourne, to commemorate the Feast Day of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria.
On both days, hundreds of faithful believers from across Victoria flocked to the church to honour the memory of Saint Catherine and venerate her holy relics.
On the eve of the feast, His Grace officiated at the Great Vespers, accompanied by a multitude of clergy from the Holy Dioceses of Melbourne and Chora, including the Parish Priest of the celebrating Church, Father George Adamakis, and his Assistant Priest Father Kyriakos Tsapas. Among the faithful present were Mr. Nicholas Archontonis, brother of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with his wife, Katerina, as well as students of the Greek School “Aetolian College”, of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, from the Malvern branch.
During Vespers, Bishop Kyriakos spoke to the congregation in English, addressing in particular the numerous young people who were present, and referred to the life of Saint Catherine and her unwavering devotion to Christ.
At the end of the Service, His Grace conveyed to everyone the wishes and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, while Father George thanked him for his presence at the Parish Feast and offered him a bouquet of flowers.
On the main day of the Feast, Bishop Kyriakos officiated during the Matins Service and presided over the Festal Divine Liturgy, and was joined by the clergy, Father George Adamakis, Father Kyriakos Tsapas, Father Chris Dimolianis and Father Stavros Kakavas. Among the faithful who attended the Divine Liturgy were the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, His Excellency Mr. Stavros Venizelos, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Larissa Tikaidi, and the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
During the Divine Liturgy, addressing the congregation, Bishop Kyriakos noted, among other things: “Saint Catherine was a person who, like all Saints, remained steadfast in her faith in Christ in an era when being a Christian could lead to persecution. As Christians, we should follow the example she set. Those of us gathered in church today must remember that the world is changing, often for the worse. But with faith in ourselves and in Christ, we have the power to bring about positive change, knowing that He is always with us.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace conveyed to all the faithful the blessing and wishes of Our shepherd, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and also distributed the antidoron to the faithful.
