The Blessing of the Waters on the Gold Coast, Queensland

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane presided over the Matins service and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the church of Saint Anna on the Gold Coast. 

The Honorary Consulate-General of Greece in Queensland was represented by Mr Tsambico Athanasas. Present also was the former Honorary Consul-General of Greece in Queensland, Mr. Jim Raptis.

Due to the torrential rain and flood-like conditions the official message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was read in the church rather than at the reserve, where the cross was thrown into the waters.

As per local custom two crosses were thrown, one for children and one for adults. The recipients who retrieved the cross were, for the junior group, Mr Zacharias Kikiras who travelled with his family from Coolgardie NSW, and for the adult group, Mr Stylianos Steward from Canberra.

Following the blessing of the waters, a traditional Greek Paniyiri took place at the church hall with approximately 400 people attending.

His Grace conveyed to the Parish Priest, Father Romanos Stergiou, the Parish and Community President Mrs Sandra Voukelatos, the Ladies Philoptochos, the volunteers and all present the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and urged the people to continue having a love for the Church and a love for Hellenism. 

Bishop Bartholomew then thanked the organisers for a great event and for everyone attending both the church service and the blessing of the waters celebrations especially considering that the weather was indifferent.