Holy Diocese of Chora: The Vespers of Love at the Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Esti’, Northcote
On the morning of Pascha Sunday, at the Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady “Axion Estin” in Northcote, the Vespers of Love was celebrated with special Paschal joy, presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora.
The entire Holy Clergy of the Holy Diocese of Chora participated in the Service. During the Service, the Holy Gospel was read in seven languages — Greek, English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French and Egyptian — symbolising the spread of the Resurrection light to every corner of the earth and Christ’s universal call to salvation.
The Service was graced by the presence of His Grace Bishop Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, Bishop of the Indian Orthodox Church, who is in Australia from his seat in India for the Paschal feast days, visiting his parishes. He was accompanied by Fr. Aji K. Varughese, vicar of the Indian Orthodox Community of the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne.
His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, after conveying to the faithful the paternal wishes and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, welcomed the Indian Bishop with warm words, expressing the joy of the common Orthodox witness and the unity that unites the children of the Church in every nation and people.
In his short sermon, His Grace emphasised the symbolism of the multilingual reading of the Gospel as an expression of the universality of the Orthodox Faith and the invitation of the Risen Lord to all: “Peace be with you.” “The Resurrection is not limited to a place or a language; it is a message of life and eternity that concerns every person,” he emphasised.
In closing, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Holy Clergy of the Diocese for their tireless ministry during Holy and Great Week, and the diligence with which the churches were prepared to become places of reception of the Grace and Resurrection of the Lord for the faithful.
