With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis visited the South Coast of NSW for the great feast of Epiphany. 

Bishop Bartholomew celebrated Matins and the Divine Liturgy and conducted the Great Blessing of the Waters at the church of Saint John in Jervis Bay. 

In his sermon, His Grace spoke about the joy of the feast, the revelation of the Holy Trinity and the importance of accepting the Light of Christ in our lives.

His Grace Bishop Bartholomew conveyed the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and on His Eminence’s behalf, wished the congregation a blessed 2024.

Immediately following the service, His Grace together with the congregation blessed the local waters (Plantation Point Reserve) where several men dove into the sea to retrieve the Holy Cross.

Mr. Nicolas Bris from the Parish-Community of Saint Ioannis in Parramatta, Sydney, was the diver who retrieved the Cross from the waters. His Grace congratulated Mr. Bris and wishes him abundant blessings for 2024 presenting to him a cross for his home and an icon of Christ. 

Bishop Bartholomew read the encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and conveyed once again the love that His Eminence has for the people of the South Coast.

Moreover, His Grace presented to all the swimmers Epiphany T-shirts with the special logo commemorating the 100 years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.