Feast Day of the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Melbourn
The Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady in East Melbourne celebrated the Patronal Feast of the Annunciation with great devotion and reverence, marking one of the most significant feast days in the Orthodox liturgical calendar.
The festivities began on Monday, 24 March, with Hierarchical Great Vespers, presided over by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne. The service was attended by clergy from across the Diocese of Melbourne, including the Parish Priest of the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Fr. Anthony Vanikiotis.
His Grace Bishop Kyriakos, with profound heartfelt joy, conveyed the paternal blessings and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to the congregation. In his address, His Grace also read out the Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, which offered spiritual encouragement and guidance for the faithful.
On Tuesday, March 25, the church was once again filled with the faithful, who gathered to celebrate the Great Feast of the Annunciation. His Grace Bishop Kyriakos presided over Matins and Divine Liturgy, assisted by Fr. Christodoulos Kapetas from Mount Athos, Fr. Kyriakos Tsapas, Fr. George El-Khoury, parish priest of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in East Melbourne, and the parish priest of the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Fr. Anthony Vanikiotis.
A number of distinguished guests were also present, including His Excellency Mr. Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Ms. Dimitra Georgantzoglou, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic to Melbourne. Additional attendees included Mr. Andrew Andrianopoulos, a key benefactor to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia for his contributions to the renovations within the parish, and Mr. Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria.
The atmosphere of the liturgy was uplifting, as a large number of parishioners attended, demonstrating the vitality and strength of the community. His Grace Bishop Kyriakos once again conveyed the paternal wishes and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to the congregation, urging all present to maintain faith and unity in the love of Christ. His Grace read His Eminence’s Encyclical for the Feast of 25th of March, which highlighted the profound significance of the Annunciation in the life of the Church.
The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lady was a powerful reminder for the faithful to reflect on the divine moment when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary the forthcoming Incarnation of Christ. The service was marked by an atmosphere of spiritual joy, unity, and reverence, reinforcing the love and devotion of the faithful within the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady.
In his message, His Grace also reminded the faithful of the importance of nurturing their faith and cultivating a spirit of unity in Christ, as the faithful work together to build a community grounded in love, prayer, and service.
The celebration concluded with heartfelt prayers for the peace and welfare of the Orthodox Church, both locally and globally, and for the continued guidance of the Holy Theotokos in the lives of the faithful.
