His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis at Feast day of St Euphemia, Bankstown

With the Blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis celebrated Matins and the Divine Liturgy at the church of St Euphemia Bankstown for the feast day in remembrance of the miracle that took place with St Euphemia.

His Grace conveyed the love, blessings and respect of our Spiritual Father Archbishop Makarios and in his sermon he spoke about what St Euphemia teaches us about Christianity. That Christianity is not a theory, a philosophy a utopia but a reality, a life, an experience.  St Euphemia teaches us that Christianity is love and sacrifice,  Christianity is humility, Christianity is total trust in God.

In conclusion His Grace on behalf of His Eminence welcomed Her Excellency Mrs Martha Mavrommatis,  the High Commissioner of Cyprus to the church and mentioned that the Parish of Bankstown is a blessed Parish for many reasons mainly because it hosted His All – Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in 1996 and secondly because we have a day college there, the students being the pride of our community.

Lunch was then served at the Parish in honour of His Grace and Her Excellency.

Following lunch a tour of the school was conducted giving the opportunity for His Grace and Her Excellency to see the wonderful projects. The Principal of the College, Very Reverend Panagiotis Mavrommatis spoke about the various initiatives St Euphemia are undergoing. Her Excellency then presented some reading material on Cyprus to the school and congratulated all who were involved with St Euphemia.

His Grace thanked Parish Priest Very Reverend Panagiotis Protopsaltis and Assistant Parish Priest Very Reverend Panagiotis Mavrommatis for their love and generous hospitality.