Melbourne: Akathist Hymn and Holy Vigil at the Church of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, Bentleigh, VIC

In an atmosphere of compuction and devoutness, The Service of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos took place on Friday evening, 8 April, at the Church of Saints Raphael Nicholas and Irene, in Bentleigh, Melbourne.

The Holy Service was presided over by the Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Archdiocesan District of Melbourne, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis, who then also in sequence presided at the Holy Vigil which was prayed according to the Typikon of Mount Athos.

Many pious Christians of the District of Melbourne, many of them young men and women, came and participated in the Holy Vigil.

His Grace Bishop Kyriakos preached the homily, referring to the great benefit of prayer for all Christians.

Also, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos shared with the congregation the personal nostalgia he felt during the Vigil, as it reminded him of the sacred vigils in Mount Athos. He even announced in advance that with God’s help vigils will be held more frequently in the Archdiocesan District of Melbourne.

In closing, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos conveyed to the faithful the warm and cordial wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, while he also wished good strength and courage for the rest of Great and Holy Lent and a good Resurrection to all.

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