Brisbane: Vespers for the Feast of Saints Bartholomew and Barnabas the Apostles

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane presided the Vespers service for the feast day of Saints Bartholomew and Barnabas the Apostles at the Parish of Saint Paraskevi, in Taigum, assisted by the clergy of Brisbane.

In his sermon, His Grace spoke about two significant reasons why our Church is celebrating today. Firstly celebrating the feast day of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle and secondly celebrating the patronal feast day of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

His Grace spoke about the love Saint Bartholomew had for Christ and his desire to spread the Light of the Gospel and that we are called to imitate this love for Christ.

Bishop Bartholomew then spoke about our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch who continues to lead the Church with distinction spreading love and compassion to all. His Grace stated that we have a responsibility to pray for our Patriarch, that God grants to His All-Holiness many years of good health to continue serving the Church for the glory of God and the salvation of the human person. 

Furthermore, His Grace stated, as Australians we have been blessed with His All-Holiness visiting our country on numerous occasions, thus depicting the love our Patriarch has for our blessed nation.

In conclusion, both Parish Priest Father Stavros Karvelas and Parish President Mr Costa Stratikopoulos wished His Grace all the best on the occasion of his Name day, thanking the bishop for his service thus far in Queensland. Furthermore, a hierarchical engolpion and a pen were presented to His Grace. 

Bishop Bartholomew thanked Father Stavros and Mr Stratikopoulos for their kind gifts and reiterated the importance of unity in the Church. His Grace then conveyed the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.