Northcote: The Vespers of Forgiveness at the Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Esti’

In a deeply reverent atmosphere, on Sunday evening 17 March 2024, the Vespers of Forgiveness took place at the Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady ‘Axion Esti’, in the Archdiocesan District of Northcote, Victoria. His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta officiated during the Vespers Service, along with the participation of the Holy Clergy of the Archdiocesan District and the presence of hundreds of pious believers.

His Grace Bishop Evmenios, during his sermon, first conveyed to the congregation the blessings and wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia on the occasion of the beginning of Holy and Great Lent. He then referred to the call of period of Great and Holy Lent, which, as he pointed out, “is not only fasting, but mainly self-awareness and the change of our inner selves.” His Grace also cited the Gospel passage of Cheesefare Sunday, to note that “he clearly told us that if we do not find in our hearts the freedom and the power to forgive, then we will achieve nothing with all the rest. Everything else is just an aid to achieving love.”

At the end of Vespers, His Grace wished everyone a blessed spiritual struggle and exchanged the kiss of forgiveness with the clergy and the faithful, as prescribed by church tradition for this day.