Northcote: Feast Day of Saint George in Thornbury
On Thomas Sunday, 23 April 2023, and the day when our Church honours the memory of Saint George the Great Martyr, the Church of Saint George of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, in Thornbury, celebrated.
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote, presided over the festive church services.
On Saturday night, the eve of the feast, His Grace Bishop Evmenios officiated at the Great Vespers, while on the morning of the feast day, His Grace officiated at the Matins and presided over the Festive Divine Liturgy.
Among the congregation were the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Mr. Vasilis Papastergiadis, and other members of the Board of Directors of the Community.
Instead of a sermon, His Grace Bishop Evmenios read the message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for Pascha, while he conveyed to everyone the wishes and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
It is noted that Fr. John Dangaris was present praying from the Holy Altar, who has ministered for over 40 years at the Holy Church of Saint George Thornbury and now has retired. His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, welcomed Fr. John back to his home and, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, thanked him for his invaluable contribution to the Church. He emphasised to the congregation that “we must never forget the past, where we came from, and the people who worked tirelessly to have everything we have today”.
Afterwards, Bishop Evmenios invited Fr. John to address his parishioners. He thanked everyone for the support they gave him in all the previous years, he praised the current Parish Priest of the Church, Father Haralambos Vezos, for his love and devotion to the community of Saint George, and wished the celebrants a blessed feast day.
After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the traditional festival followed in the forecourt of the Holy Church.
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