Festive Great Vespers at the Parish of St Savvas of Kalymnos in Banksia, Sydney

On Saturday evening, 5 April 2025, His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, officiated during the Great Vespers on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos, at the celebrating Parish of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos in Banksia, Sydney. During the Great Vespers Service, His Grace was joined by the Parish Priest, Father Savas Pizanias and other clergymen from the city of Sydney.

At the conclusion of the service, addressing the full congregation, Bishop Christodoulos referring to the Saint’s biography described aspects of the life of the honoured Saint, his travels to Jerusalem, Mt Athos and his link to Aegina and in particular to his spiritual father and brother, Saint Nektarios of Aegina. 

Referring to the later spiritual struggle of the Saint, His Grace noted: “He learned to fast, to pray, to struggle and to submit his own will to the will of God and the church. In other words, he learned obedience to God which indicates a great virtue, humility. He also pointed out that the humble person neither blasphemes God nor criticises his fellow man.”

Summarising therefore, His Grace urged the faithful to follow the example of Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos and to try to dedicate themselves completely to Christ and to always remain close and within the Church, as only those within the church will be saved.

Finally, His Grace conveyed the paternal wishes and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to Father Savas and to all the faithful of the celebrating Parish.