Cutting of the Vasilopita in the Holy Diocese of Brisbane

With the Blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane blessed and cut the traditional vasilopita for the Diocese of Brisbane on the occasion of the commencement of the new year.

From the outset, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace thanked the clergy and laity for their service to the Church for the previous year, stating that it was a significant year for our Holy Archdiocese as we celebrated 100 years since its establishment, culminating with the successful apostolic visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. 

Moreover, for our local diocese with the pastoral visit of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to Brisbane on the occasion of the State Youth Conference, a conference that was highly successful with approximately 260 participants.

Bishop Bartholomew emphasised the importance of commencing the new year with more love, with more self-reflection, with more humility and more devotion towards God and our fellow brethren.

His Grace thanked the clergy for their efforts in 2024, stating to the congregation that we are blessed with good clergy, moreover, emphasised the importance of all clergy in Queensland including the Bishop, to do more than what we did in previous years to glorify God and serve the people of God.

Mr Hercules Kollias was the blessed recipient of the vasilopita coin. On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace presented Mr Kollias an icon of St Paisios, the patron saint of Australia. The icon was painted by the Holy Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa in New South Wales. His Grace congratulated Mr Kollias and wished him abundant blessings. 

Bishop Bartholomew then conveyed the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to both the clergy and laity and wished them on behalf of His Eminence a fruitful, salvific, safe and healthy new year.