The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Church of Saint Eustathios, Melbourne
In a radiant expression of faith and joy, the Orthodox Christian faithful gathered in reverent anticipation for the celebration of the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha at the Archdiocesan Church of St. Eustathios in South Melbourne. The solemn Resurrection service, presided over by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, commenced just before midnight on Holy Saturday, 19 April 2025, and extended into the early hours of Pascha Sunday, 20 April 2025.
The faithful assembled in silence and darkness to chant the Odes of Lamentation and participate in the Pannychis of the Resurrection. As midnight approached, the sacred flame was brought forth, illuminating the darkness as the joyous proclamation resounded: “Come receive the light from the unwaning light, and glorify Christ who is risen from the dead.” The Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom followed, lifting the hearts of all present in a foretaste of the Kingdom of Heaven.
His Grace Bishop Kyriakos was joined at the holy altar by Archimandrite Kyrillos Zisis, together leading the sacred services with prayerful dignity and ecclesiastical order. In his Resurrection Proclamation, His Grace offered words of spiritual exhortation and hope, saying:
“Look around this assembly gathered outside this Archdiocesan Church, see the smiles and hear the joy-filled voices, and behold the light that has been passed from person to person, which is a mirror of our souls. Each of us possesses the Light of Christ within our hearts… This is the gift of His Resurrection, the gift of Eternal Life, the gift of Pascha, and His passing over from death to Life.”
His Grace further encouraged the faithful to live out the message of the Resurrection in their daily lives, proclaiming: “You have received the Unwaning Light; now share it among yourselves and with the world by acts of kindness and compassion, with Faith, Hope and Love.”
During the service, His Grace read aloud the Paschal Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia in both Greek and English, conveying His Eminence’s paternal blessings and heartfelt wishes to all Orthodox Christians.
In attendance was the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Melbourne, Ms. Dimitra Georgantzoglou, who was invited to read the Symbol of Faith (the Nicene Creed), in both Greek and English.
The feast of Pascha, the pinnacle of the Orthodox Christian liturgical year, is the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection—the ultimate victory over death and corruption, and the cornerstone of our faith. In this holy night, the Church once again proclaims the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair.
