Melbourne: Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross at the Church of St. Eustathios
On the Third Sunday of Holy and Great Lent, the Archdiocesan Church of St. Eustathios in Melbourne gathered the faithful for a spiritually uplifting and reverent celebration of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne officiated at the Matins Service and presided over the Divine Liturgy, offering a profound spiritual experience to the congregation.
His Grace Bishop Kyriakos conveyed the paternal blessings and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to the faithful, reminding them of the deep significance of the Cross in the life of every Orthodox Christian. The Bishop’s sermon was an inspiring reflection on the power of the Cross, which is venerated during this sacred period of Great Lent.
“As the Cross is venerated in the Church, it is not merely a remembrance of Christ’s suffering but a celebration of His triumph over the forces of darkness,” Bishop Kyriakos emphasised. “Even though the Cross represents the pinnacle of suffering and humiliation, it also embodies the source of hope, healing, and salvation. Through the Cross, we Orthodox Christians are called to embrace our own struggles and sacrifices with the understanding that, through union with Christ, we too share in His victory.”
The service was attended by a large number of parishioners, filling the church with a sense of reverence and devotion. Among those in attendance were students from St. John’s College and Oakleigh Grammar, who participated in the liturgical celebration and witnessed the significance of the day.
Dignitaries also graced the service, including Ms. Dimitra Georgantzoglou, the Consulate General of the Hellenic Republic to Melbourne, who attended in support of the local Greek community. The event was further honoured by the presence of members of the Victorian Police Hellenic Association and officers of the Hellenic Police Force from Greece, strengthening the ties between the Greek community and law enforcement.
The atmosphere during the service was one of profound spirituality, as the faithful approached the Holy Cross with reverence, seeking the grace and healing that the Cross offers. The choir, under the direction of the parish’s musical leaders, led the congregation in hymns that enriched the liturgical experience and filled the church with a divine presence.
The Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross is a significant milestone in the Lenten journey, and this year’s celebration at the Church of St. Eustathios provided a moment for all present to reflect on the meaning of sacrifice, hope, and the victorious love of Christ that transcends suffering. As the faithful left the church, they carried with them the powerful message of the Cross—an enduring symbol of Christ’s victory over death and the source of eternal life.
