Vespers of Forgiveness in the Holy Diocese of Adelaide 2025
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, the Holy Diocese of Adelaide celebrated the pan-Orthodox service for the Vespers of Forgiveness at the Archiepiscopal Church of St Sophia (Holy Wisdom of God), Bowden, on Cheesefare Sunday, 2nd of March 2025.
The Vespers of Forgiveness has always been a well-attended event in Adelaide, and 2025 was no exception. The Church was again full to overflowing with hundreds of people in attendance, with the fine weather enabling a significant number of the faithful to be seated outside and watch the service on the live video feed.
The service was presided by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, accompanied by a dozen clergy from the Diocese and sister jurisdictions (including two Ukrainian priests). His Grace conveyed the blessings of His Eminence and read his Encyclical “On Repentance” for the start of Great Lent, and together with the clergy asked forgiveness of the hundreds of faithful who patiently filed past.
The Philoptochos of St Sophia, together with the ladies of Central Philoptochos, offered hospitality to the attendees in the Parish hall as an expression of love and hospitality in a last meal before the beginning of the Great Fast.
It was a beautiful way to usher in Great Lent as one big family, drawing strength from each other in preparation for the Fast and the great Feast of Pascha that follows.
