Holy Diocese of Chora: The Second Sunday of Lent at the Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Esti’, Northcote
On the Second Sunday of Lent, 16 March 2025, which is dedicated to the memory of Saint Gregory Palamas, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated with splendour at the Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Estin’, in the suburb of Northcote, Melbourne, in the Holy Diocese of Chora. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora.
A special honour and blessing was the presence of Hieromonk Fr. Christodoulos from Mount Athos, who is in Australia during Holy and Great Lent, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, in order to offer the sacred work of confession and spiritual guidance to the faithful.
Fr. Christodoulos is not unknown to the local community, as he served as Parish Priest at the Church ‘Axion Estin’ in the 1990s, leaving an indelible spiritual imprint. His Grace welcomed him on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, expressing the gratitude of the local Church for his valuable contribution in the past and for his spiritual ministry in the present.
His Grace asked Father Christodoulos to offer the Sunday sermon, during which he spoke about Saint Gregory Palamas, emphasising the importance of fasting, prayer and a pure heart for the union of human beings with the uncreated light of God. He referred to the theology of the Saint, which is the foundation of Orthodox spirituality, and urged the faithful to live with repentance and spiritual vigilance.
After the Divine Liturgy, a Doxology Service was held for the Greek National Anniversary of 25 March 1821, with the participation of The Australian Greek Ex-Servicemen’s Association and representatives of associations and communities of the Greek Community. After the Doxology, wreaths were laid in memory of the fighters of 1821, and their sacrifice and vision for a free and Orthodox Greece were highlighted.
