Feast of the Church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa in Dubbo, New South Wales

With special devoutness and joyous splendour, the Synaxis of the Holy Icon of Panagia was celebrated at the celebrating Holy Church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa in the country town of Dubbo of New South Wales, during the three-day celebrations from Friday until Sunday, 23 – 25 September 2022.

It is widely known, that the Kytherian faithful greatly honour and rever the Panagia Myrtidiotissa as she is the Patroness of their Island. Those who had migrated and settled in Dubbo since the 1940s, had a great desire and the yearning to erect a Holy Church in the name of Panagia Myrtidiotissa.

The Holy Church was founded in 1962 and this year they are celebrating the 60th anniversary of its foundation.

With the wishes and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who endeavors at all costs to carry the sanctifying grace to all the remote parts of the Australian continent, Father Michael Psarommatis drove from Adelaide to Dubbo especially for this great celebration and feast day.

Fr. Michael was welcomed by the President Mr. Konstantinos Raptis and all the local believers with open arms and with willingness were ready to offer him every service.

Both on the eve of the feast at the panegyric Great Vespers, and on the feast day, the Orthros, the Divine Liturgy and the procession of the Holy Icon in the courtyard of the church, as well as in Saturday’s Vespers and Sunday’s Liturgy and Divine Liturgy, the faithful participated and prayed with fervour.

Originally from the island of Kythira, which he has repeatedly visited, Father Michael in his sermons during the Holy Services referred to the many miraculous events related to the feast day.

Father Michael also referred to the miraculous way in which the image was found in the myrtle bushes by the shepherd, and how the Holy Monastery of Myrtidiotissa was finally rebuilt in the place indicated by the Virgin Mary and the miraculous healing of the paralytic and many other related miracles and moments of her divine intervention.

At the same time, he mentioned various personal experiences of his parents and ancestors regarding the miraculous grace of the Holy Icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, such as the tangible miracles among themselves, the tradition with the mothers from all over the island, who travel down from the “Trypia Petra” path  to the square of Myrtidia, along the dirt road and in the night, and usually barefoot, to fulfill their promises made to the Panagia, etc.

Fr. Michael thanked the former Elder, Fr. Alexios Triantaphyllos, who attended the Holy Services praying from the Holy Altar, the members of the Parish Council, the parishioners and the pilgrims who came from various parishes in Sydney for the celebration, pointing out the need for attending the holy feast days of the Church. Only in the house of our Heavenly Father and under the blessed protection of our Virgin Mary, he pointed out, will we find the protection from above and refuge and consolation that we so need in our days.

In closing, Father Michael conveyed to all the faithful, the wishes and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

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