Perth: Vespers Service for the Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Great Vespers Service for the feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos took place at the Church of Evangelismos in West Perth on Sunday the 14th of August.

The service was Presided by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea in the  presence of the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocesan District of Perth. 

Towards the end of the service the Lamentations were recited in front of the beautifully decorated Epitaphios of the Holy Theotokos. 

During his sermon, His Grace emphasised how the entire life of the Virgin Mary – her birth, Entrance into the Temple, Annunciation and Dormition – is a wondrous paradox.

His Grace stated, “God made a number of barren women from the Old Testament to miraculously conceive and whose children became virtuous and holy; however, Mary the child of the Righteous Anna and Joachim was the only person throughout history who was full of grace and able to contain in her womb the Uncontainable Creator of heaven and earth. This is something that both humans and angels can only marvel at  but will never be able to comprehend ”.

At the end of the service His Grace Bishop Elpidios wished all a blessed feast day full of health and happiness. 

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