New Year’s Day at the celebrating Church of Saint Vasilios, Brunswick, in the Diocese of Chora

The arrival of the New Year and the Great Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the memory of Basil the Great, were celebrated with solemnity and spiritual devotion at the Church of Saint Vasilios in Brunswick, Melbourne, in the Holy Diocese of Chora.

The holy services were presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, who conveyed to the congregation the paternal blessings and wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

The feast day celebrations began on Tuesday evening, 31 December 2024, with the celebration of the Great Vespers.

On Wednesday, 1 January 2024, the Matins Service took place which was followed by the feast day Divine Liturgy.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita took place. His Grace blessed the Vasilopita and wished all those present health, prosperity and spiritual progress for the new year.

Instead of a sermon, the New Year’s Message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was read, which offered words of encouragement, hope and spiritual guidance for the new year.