Diocese of Melbourne celebrates Patronal Feast Day of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
The Diocese of Melbourne joyfully gathered to celebrate the patronal feast day of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, honouring the memory of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 June at the Archdiocesan Church of St. Eustathios in South Melbourne.
The two-day celebration commenced with a solemn Great Vespers service on Tuesday evening, followed by Matins and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning. The services were presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, who was warmly invited by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne to lead the liturgical celebrations. In a moving expression of ecclesial unity and spiritual fraternity, both hierarchs embraced one another with mutual respect and love, reflecting the unity of the Church. His Grace Bishop Kyriakos noted in his address:
“What an honour it is for all of us to honour our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew by being blessed with the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel—a former classmate of His All Holiness at the Theological School of Halki—leading us in prayer. His Eminence has loyally served our Holy Archdiocese of Australia for nearly five decades. It is our honour and privilege to pray and serve with him, especially on this significant day that celebrates both the apostolic roots of our Church and the name day of our spiritual father, the Ecumenical Patriarch.”
The sacred services were enriched by the beauty of traditional Byzantine hymnography. Clergy from throughout Melbourne concelebrated in prayerful unity.
Following Great Vespers on Tuesday evening, a festal dinner was held, offering an opportunity for fellowship among clergy, parishioners, and guests. After the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, a luncheon was hosted in the adjacent parish hall, both events graciously organised under the leadership of Fr. Kyrillos Zisis, the Parish Priest of the Archdiocesan Church of St. Eustathios.
During the luncheon, Bishop Kyriakos took the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation for the presence of Metropolitan Ezekiel and the gathered faithful. He also conveyed the paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia:
“His Eminence Archbishop Makarios sends his paternal love and heartfelt greetings to all of us gathered here today. As the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, His Eminence represents His All Holiness and our Mother Church throughout the entire Holy Archdiocese of Australia. We remain united under his archpastoral leadership, and through him, we remain spiritually connected to the venerable See of Constantinople.”
Among the many distinguished attendees on Tuesday night for the Great Vespers were the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Melbourne, Ms Dimitra Georgantzoglou, and the President of the Victorian Interparish Council, Mr. Tony Tsoukalakis. Students from Oakleigh Grammar participated during the Services of Matins and the Divine Liturgy with reverence and attentiveness, highlighting the vital role of youth in the life of the Church.
The celebrations served not only as a liturgical commemoration of the Holy Apostles but also as a living testimony to the unity of the Church in Australia, its unwavering connection to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the enduring leadership of Archbishop Makarios. As the faithful joined together in worship and fellowship, they reaffirmed their commitment to the apostolic faith and their deep love for the Mother Church.
Many Years to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and may the prayers of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas strengthen the Church in love, unity, and truth.
