Holy Week and the Feast of Pascha at the Church of Panagia Soumela, East Keilor, VIC
After two years of restrictions and precautions due to the pandemic, during this year’s Holy and Great Week, the Parish of Panagia Soumela in East Keilor, Melbourne, was flooded again with believers.
The Dean of the Church, Father Konstantinos Apostolellis, and the parishioners reverently honoured the events of Holy Week and celebrated Pascha with anticipation and resurrection joy.
Starting from Palm Sunday, the church was decorated with palm branches, while it shone with the new frescoes.
On this day, the Church of Panagia Soumela received the Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Archdiocesan District of Northcote, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who presided over the festive Divine Liturgy.
At the beginning of Holy Week, the young chanters sang in Greek and English the hymns of the Bridegroom and of Saint Kassiani.
The Mystery of Holy Unction was a moving service; the people thought of all those affected by the pandemic.
The Parish spent the rest of the week reflecting on the Holy Passions of Christ.
Arriving at Holy and Great Friday, the Lamentations were heard, while in a procession the Epitaphios – adorned by young and old – walked around the church, with the faithful venerating with reverence and contemplation.
As the midnight of Great and Holy Saturday arrived, all the parishioners of Panagia Soumela, like a family in Christ, raised their candles and sang “Christ is Risen”, while in a climate of radiance and joy of the resurrection, the Holy Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom was performed.
It was a great blessing for everyone to feel this blessed fellowship and love, where the Parish of Panagia Soumela supports all its works.
All together, Father Konstantinos, the committee, the Philoptochos, the chanters, the volunteers, the school, the people, young and old renewed their commitment to work for the prosperity of the Church of Christ, so that it can continue as a model of a successful and beautiful parish.
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