Orthodox Paschal Vespers at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Sydney on Friday 10 May
Over the last one hundred years of its presence in Australia our Holy Archdiocese has sought to establish and maintain cordial relations with all other Christian churches in this country. Often, and especially in the early days of Greek migration, we have been recipients of the hospitality and generosity of these churches as they provided pastoral care to our people in the absence of Orthodox clergy and their church buildings for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In return, we have offered, as an antidoron, the treasures of the Orthodox Faith and the richness of its worship.
To this end, and following the example and encouragement of our Mother Church, the venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate, our Holy Archdiocese has been an active participant in various ecumenical bodies, including the National Council of Churches in Australia and the NSW Ecumenical Council and, over the course of its history, has engaged in a number of bilateral dialogues with other Christian traditions.
This year our Holy Archdiocese will host the annual service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at our Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, 242 Cleveland Street, Redfern, on Friday, 10 May 2024 at 5.30 pm. It will take the form of a Hierarchical Paschal Vespers with the participation of the Orthodox member Churches of the NSW Ecumenical Council and in the presence of the Heads of the other Christian churches. The Australian Byzantine Choir will lead the chanting.
Following the Service, a Fundraising Dinner for the NSW Ecumenical Council will be hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia in the Hall of St Andrew’s Theological College at 6.45pm. This occasion will also serve as a further opportunity to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of our Holy Archdiocese in the context of our continuing relations with the other Christian churches, especially as they have been nurtured in recent years by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. In fact, the Heads of Churches are attending both events, in large part, to honour and pay tribute to His Eminence and the Greek Orthodox Church on this significant historical milestone.
For those who would like to join this dinner, please make your booking online through the link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1182622
