Perth: Vespers of Forgiveness at the Church of Saint Nektarios

The Vespers of Forgiveness took place at the Church of Saint Nektarios in Perth on the evening of Cheese-Fare Sunday and was presided over by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea.

In his sermon, His Grace emphasised the importance of forgiveness and how we will only be forgiven by God if we are willing to forgive the faults of our fellow brothers and sisters. This theme is emphasised at the commencement of Great and Holy Lent reminding us all that without forgiveness we cannot enter the spiritual arena. For only the merciful will be able to celebrate the great feast of Pascha with a pure heart.

His Grace then went on to sharing with the faithful some of the ascetical sayings of Saint Isaac the Syrian which are a spiritual oasis for the one who truly struggles in trying to find inner peace by overcoming the passions.

At the conclusion of the service His Grace Bishop Elpidios conveyed to all the paternal love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and wished all a blessed and holy Lenten period.

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