The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross at the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Thomastown

On Saturday morning, 14 September 2024, on the occasion of the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora liturgised at the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, in the suburb of Thomastown in Melbourne, and was joined by Archimandrite Synesios Frangos and the Parish Priest, Father George Frangos.

The attendance of faithful believers was great, who reverently attended the Divine Liturgy and the Service of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.

In his short homily, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora presented two of the many messages of the feast day. First, he noted that the Cross reminds us of Christ’s Resurrection and pointed out that “there is life after death, which is our hope.” Secondly, he emphasised the virtues of forgiveness and love, because “out of love for humankind Christ was crucified and with love we must deal with everything”.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Evmenios conveyed the wishes and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to all the faithful, while he reminded them all of the upcoming Apostolic visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in October. His Grace referred to the events planned for the period of His Holiness’ stay in Victoria and invited everyone to participate in this great event for the local Church, giving mass “attendance” to the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, as well as to the other events.