Melbourne: The Second Sunday of Lent at the Church of Saint Athanasios, Springvale
On the Second Sunday of Great Lent, the faithful gathered at the beautiful parish of Saint Athanasios in Springvale, Melbourne, for a deeply moving Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne. The church was filled with devoted parishioners, all united in prayer as they commemorated the Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas, one of the Church’s most significant saints.
The Hierarchical Liturgy was a true reflection of the parish’s vibrant spiritual life, with the clergy leading the faithful in worship. Assisting His Grace were the Parish Priest Father Dimitrios Drougas, Father Matthew Papadopoulos, and Father Efstathios Ladas, who served with reverence and devotion, contributing to the solemn beauty of the liturgical service.
In his sermon, after conveying to the congregation the wishes and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos reflected on the Gospel reading from Mark 2:1-12, which recounts the healing of the paralytic by Jesus. His Grace eloquently emphasised the power of faith and the need for perseverance in seeking Christ’s healing touch. “Just as the paralytic’s friends carried him to the Lord, so too must we bear one another’s burdens in faith, believing that the Lord’s mercy is ever-present and healing,” His Grace stated. “It is by faith that we are made whole, and in our daily struggles, we must trust that Christ is always near, ready to forgive and heal.”
The Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas holds special significance during the Lenten journey. His Grace spoke about the importance of placing St. Gregory on the Second Sunday of Great Lent. “St. Gregory Palamas, a champion of the true Orthodox faith, teaches us that the light of Christ is not something to be simply observed from a distance, but something that we are called to partake in through prayer, asceticism, and purity of heart,” His Grace explained. “In this sacred season of Lent, we are reminded to cleanse ourselves so that we can experience this uncreated light and be transformed by it, just as St. Gregory did.”
The faithful were deeply moved by the sermon, which reminded them of the Lenten journey’s true purpose: to grow closer to God and to embrace the transformative power of His grace. As the Divine Liturgy continued, the parishioners participated in the sacramental life of the Church, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, and strengthening their resolve to continue the path of repentance and renewal through the remainder of Great Lent.
The Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas serves as a reminder of the spiritual light we are called to encounter and the sanctifying grace that is available to all who seek it with a humble and contrite heart. The service at St. Athanasios was a beautiful reflection of this call, as Bishop Kyriakos, alongside the dedicated clergy, led the parish in worship, prayer, and reflection on the importance of faith and the radiant light of Christ that shines ever brightly during this holy season of Lent.
