Perth: English Supplication Service to the Most Holy Theotokos
During the first two weeks of August, in the period of preparation for the great feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, the Supplication service was conducted each evening entirely in English at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene in Perth WA.
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the services were Presided over by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea.
On Wednesday the 10th of August, following the service, His Grace delivered a sermon on the importance of the doctrines of the Church. Reflecting on the Feast of the Transfiguration, celebrated during the period of preparation on the 6th of August, His Grace discussed how the Transfiguration is a Theophany, a moment of revelation of the Triune God-head. His Grace specifically emphasised:
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all present in that salvific moment when Jesus as the God-man is transfigured before the three Apostles revealing a glimpse of His Divine Nature. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not merely an academic teaching, rather it is are principle of life that should give form to our existential experience and mode of life; it is a paradigm for Christian Living. The Doctrine of the Trinity, for example, reminds us that we should not subordinate, discriminate or exploit any of our fellow human beings. Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God, which means that just as the Three Persons of the Trinity are equal yet still having each entirely their distinct modes of existence, so to must we live according to this principle of love and equality knowing that each person is unique within society.
The services we were well attended each evening especially by young families, catechumens and converts to the faith who appreciated hearing the beautiful supplicatory canon to the Theotokos in English.
His Grace conveyed the love and paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and wished everyone a blessed Feast of the Dormition.
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