Grand Celebrations in Perth for the Feast Day of Saints Constantine and Helene
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and with great Paschal joy, the grand celebrations for the Feast Day of the God-crowned and Equal to the Apostles, Sts Constantine and Helene, took place at the homonymous Greek Orthodox Church in Northbridge, Perth WA.
The festal weekend began with the Great Hierarchical Vespers Service on Saturday evening the 20th of May, Presided by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea. In his address to the faithful, His Grace discussed St Helene and the reason why she is honoured by the Church as ‘Equal to the Apostles’. His Grace stated, “Empress Helene, in her sacred pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land, became the first archaeologist in discovering the Precious and Life-Giving Cross; this lead to the building of many churches over the sacred sites, especially the magnificent Church of the Resurrection located at the site of Golgotha and the Lord’s tomb.
His Grace officially welcomed the Very Reverend Fr Nicolaos Bozikis, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, and Presbytera Chrissi, who were visiting Perth from Sydney for the Feast Day celebrations of the Church.
At the conclusion of the service, a free supper was held in the church hall for all those in attendance. A special celebratory cake, organised by the parish, was cut by Fr Nicolaos and Presbytera to welcome them and thank them for their 52 years of service to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. Their 52nd anniversary fell on the 18th of May.
On Sunday morning the 21st of May, the Sunday of the Blind Man, the Hierarchical Matins and Divine Liturgy was again Officiated by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea. In attendance were many dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including; Mr Nikos Papaconstandinou, Vice-Consul of Maritime Affairs for Greece in Perth; Mr Paul Afkos OAM, President of the Hellenic Community of WA; Mr Manoli Yeroyianakis, President of the Cretan Brotherhood in WA and Mr Jim Manifis, President of the Castellorizian Association of WA. Also in attendance was the Principal of St Andrew’s Grammar, Mr Craig Monaghan, along with his family and many teachers and students from the Day School.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a special procession took place in the church with the icon of Sts Constantine and Helene which was followed by the blessing of the Five Loaves.
Following the ecclesiastical celebrations at the church, an official luncheon was hosted by the Hellenic Community of WA at Alexander the Great Club in Dianella with over 300 people in attendance. His Grace addressed the luncheon, commending the volunteers of the church and the Hellenic Community for the wonderful Feast Day celebrations. His Grace also conveyed the congratulations of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia on the occasion of the 100 year anniversary of the Hellenic Community of WA, which is being celebrated with various events throughout 2023. The luncheon ended with the chanting of the anthem (Fimi) of the Archbishop.
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