Holy Diocese of Chora: The Final Lenten Vespers at the Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Estin’, Northcote

On Sunday evening, 6 April 2025, at the Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Estin’ in Northcote, the final Lenten Vespers for this year’s Holy and Great Lent took place in an atmosphere of deep devotion and prayer. The Vespers was presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, who conveyed the wishes and paternal love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

In his sermon, His Grace referred to the venerable figure of Saint Mary of Egypt, whom our Church honours on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. He emphasised that the wisdom of the Church highlights Saint Mary shortly before the beginning of Holy and Great Week, because her example is a cry of hope for every person.

“Saint Mary of Egypt stands before the gate of Holy Week as a silent prophet of hope,” His Grace pointed out. “Her life reminds us,” he added, “that no soul is beyond the reach of salvation, and that the Kingdom of God does not open to the perfect, but to the repentant.”

Concluding, he emphasised that “Saint Mary teaches us that holiness is not born of our personal strength, but of obedience to the will of God – not of pride, but of humility.”