Perth: Vespers of Forgiveness

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Vespers of Forgiveness took place on the evening of Cheesfare Sunday at the Church of St Nektarios in Dianella Presided by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea.  

This is one of the most beautiful services of our Church that takes place during a time when the faithful are reminded of the importance of forgiveness and fasting. As emphasised by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, “if we are to live the joy of Christ’s resurrection wholeheartedly and experientially, and not as a custom, as a formality or as a practice, then we must hear the voice of the Church, which at this blessed period refers to these two words: forgiveness and fasting“.

Towards the end of the service, Fr Terry Gerovasilis read the Catechetical Lenten Homily of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

At the conclusion of the Vespers, observing the ecclesiastical tradition of the day, His Grace Bishop Elpidios, exchanged the embrace of forgiveness with the clergy and the faithful of the Archdiocesan District of Perth and wished everyone a blessed and Holy Lent.