New Year’s Day in Perth, Western Australia

The Feast Day of Christ’s Circumcision together with Saint Basil the Great was celebrated at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helene in Perth on Sunday the first of January. 

The morning commenced with the Matins Service followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy officiated by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea and assisted by parish priest Fr Eleftherios Gerovasilis and other clergy. 

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Doxology Service was recited for the commencement of the New Year which was then followed by the blessing and cutting of the Vasilopita. 

His Grace reminded all that:

“When cutting the Vasilopita we firstly take out a piece for our Lord Jesus Christ. Further portions are then taken out for the Holy Theotokos, Saint Basil the Great, the Patron Saint of the Church, our Archbishop and finally for the poor”.

Pieces of Vasilopita were also cut for the Consul of Greece in Perth, Mrs Georgia Karasiotou, as well as the City of Perth Lord Mayor, Mr Basil Zempilas, who were present with their families at the New Year’s Day service.

Finally, all the faithful then came forward to receive their individual piece of Vasilopita. This year’s winner of the coin was Mr Ryan Pinto. This came at the right time as Ryan will be getting married at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helene in Perth in a few days’ time. 

His Grace conveyed to all present the love and paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for a prosperous and salvific 2023. 

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