Northcote: The Service of the Akathist Hymn and Holy Vigil in honour of the Most Holy Mother of God

On Friday, 31 March 2023, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote, officiated at the service of the Akathist Hymn at the Holy Church of Panagia Soumela, in the East Keilor suburb of Melbourne.

After the service of the Akathist Hymn, at the parish of the Transfiguration of our Lord, in the suburb of Thomastown, a holy vigil in honour of the Most Holy Mother of God took place. His Grace Bishop Evmenios officiated over the Matins and presided at the Divine Liturgy.

The directors of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, along with teachers and students, chanted at the Holy Vigil.

In his short speeches, His Grace Bishop Evmenios referred to the great reverence that every believer has for Our Lady. But, he noticed that many times we show our love and reverence wrongly, that is, with external behaviours and meaningless actions. “The Virgin Mary is a gift to us,” he pointed out, pointing out that it is not important to say or show that we respect her, but above all to imitate her. “She is the person who shows us with her life how to apply the holy Gospel in our lives”, he added, “the person who shows us the virtues that save”.

Finally, His Grace Bishop Evmenios, in both parishes, conveyed to the faithful the wishes and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

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