Service of the Apokathilosis from the church of St Dimitrios, Queanbeyan
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With the Blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis visited Queanbeyan and presided over the Apokathilosis service.
In his sermon His Grace spoke about the importance of love. That through the crucifixion, Christ provides us with the ultimate example on how to love. There was no need for God to sacrifice Himself however He did this because He loved the human person.
We are called to imitate this love to our fellow brethren neglecting our egotism, neglecting our cunningness, our jealousy our hatred and allowing for humility, allowing for compassion, allowing for mercy to reign in our hearts.
Finally His Grace emphasised that Christ did not sacrifice Himself for the Christians, Christ did not just sacrifice Himself for the Greeks, He died for all humanity, therefore our love must not limited to our own. We must open our hearts to all people.
Bishop Bartholomew then conveyed the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and wished both Father Iakovos Siriotis, the Parish Priest and the congregation a blessed Feast of the Resurrection.
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