The First Divine Liturgy at the Church of The Holy Cross in Adelaide
With the blessing of our Father and Shepherd, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the new Church of the Holy Cross, in Glenelg, Adelaide, on Sunday 19 November 2023. This touched the hearts of the many faithful who attended in prayer, reverence and spiritual joy. The Church of the Holy Cross is where the Parish of St Panteleimon, Glenelg, has been relocated.
The Church of Saint Panteleimon, which was first established as a chapel for the religious needs of the assistant Bishop of the day, served the faithful of the area for over 40 years. Through God’s grace, the development of the parish, both from a spiritual point of view and, in regard to the number of the faithful, made its relocation necessary. Thus, after many efforts and searches, the large hall of the Flambouro Philanthropic Society of South Australia was purchased – under very favourable terms – and converted into a beautiful church.
The new Church, which His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia in his wisdom dedicated to be named in honour of the Holy Cross, will much better serve the very much increased needs of the faithful of the area, who on this historic day overfilled the Church at the first Divine Liturgy. The Church of Saint Panteleimon will serve other needs of the multifaceted work of the Archdiocesan District of Adelaide.
His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope presided over the Holy Services of Matins and the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the Rector of the Parish, Rev Fr Panagiotis Photakis. His Grace thanked all those who worked and toiled, and who dedicated their precious time working for the conversion of the hall into the beautiful and enriched edifice of the Holy Cross Church. Also, His Grace conveyed to all the faithful the love of our Archbishop, through whose blessing, pastoral oversight and prayers the parish was relocated to the Holy Cross Church, as well as His Eminence’s prayerful wishes for the continuous spiritual progress of the parish.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the large congregation participated in a festive agape meal, which was served by the tireless noble ladies of the Parish Philoptochos and the Central Philoptochos. The faithful were radiant with joy for the progress of the parish and for the establishment of a new Church for the glory of the Triune God.
