The Metropolis of all Feasts Celebrated with Great Splendour and Grandeur in Perth
The Metropolis of all Feasts, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, was celebrated with great splendour at the Church of the Annunciation in West Perth on Christmas Day.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was officiated by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea, assisted by Parish Priest, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, Fr Emmanuel Stamatiou, together with other clergy and in the presence of the Consul of Greece in Perth, Mrs Georgia Karasiotou.
Following the reciting of the Gospel, His Grace read out His Eminence Archbishop Makarios’ 2022 Christmas message.
In the message, His Eminence stated, amongst other things, that:
“On the occasion of today’s beautiful day of His (Christ’s) Birth, I ask you to accept the return of Christ into the world and into your life. Our Orthodox faith is not an ideology, a cultural phenomenon or a simple element of our national identity that is not based on the presence of the Incarnate, Crucified and Resurrected Christ. Do not fall into the trap of this world which has created religions full of ideas and cultural elements but devoid of the presence of God. We have a living faith and a living God. We want God in our lives; He is the One whom we desire; He is the One in whom we believe; and He is the One in whom we have placed our hope.”
At this year’s Christmas Service, it was also wonderful to see so many young families attend and to see the joy of Christmas expressed in the eyes of all the faithful, especially the young children, as everyone came up to receive the antidoron.
At the conclusion of the service, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace wished everyone a blessed and holy Christmas as well as a very happy Name Day to Fr Emmanuel Stamatiou. His Grace prayed that God grants Fr Emmanuel many more years of good health and zeal to continue his outstanding work at the parish.
Finally, His Grace also thanked everyone for attending this year’s Christmas Service, including the clergy, chanters and all the faithful and wished them all many years.
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