On Sunday, 2 February, 3XY Radio Hellas, with Nikos Lupos, broadcast live from the Parish of the Presentation of our Lord in Coburg during the annual festival hosted under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Australia. From Year to year, Coburgs’ The Presentation of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Parish festival thrives.
Benefitting from Melbourne’s warm summer weather, the event attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd. Following Mass, attendees enjoyed dancing, feasting, and socialising—a celebration that truly had it all.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Archbishop of Australia, presided at the Solemn Vespers. At the end of the Service, the Archbishop spoke appropriately about the meaning of the Apostolic and Theomimetic Feast of the Lord’s Supper, while he greeted with heartfelt words the presence of His Eminence, Metropolitan James of Ireland, and the Consul General, Mrs. He then shared some thoughts and his strong concern regarding the disease of depression, which in our time has reached nightmarish proportions and the relevant indicators are constantly worsening.
Right from the start, His Eminence, presenting the teaching of St. John Damascene on the psychosomatic nature of man, stressed that the treatment of depression requires medical assistance, in addition to spiritual assistance. “Spiritual help is needed, and medical help is needed, and let us not forget that God sent science into the world,” he pointed out, among other things.
Also, after describing how the modern way of life and the worldly goals that people mostly set, favour and facilitate the occurrence of depression, he contrasted it with the example of the life of St. Simeon the Theodore, who welcomed Christ into the Temple. He observed that at the event of the Lord’s Supper, St. Simeon felt absolute spiritual fullness, since “he had set in his life beautiful goals and not those false and temporary ones that men set”. “One of the ways that will help us overcome depression,” he said, “is to set spiritual and ecclesiastical goals, and to have Christ before us.” He added that all our goals should be directed toward the heavenly Kingdom of God, a perspective that makes sense of our lives.
Programme Highlights
The festivities commenced on Thursday, 1 February at 7pm with the Great Solemn Vespers, presided over by His Grace Bishop Eumenius of Cherasundo alongside the Melbourne clergy. On Friday, 2 February, a Mass and the Archdiocesan Divine Liturgy were celebrated by His Grace Bishop Eumenius of Cherasundos. The culmination came on Sunday, 4 February, when the High Holy Mass was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Eumenios of Cherasoundos, also with full clergy participation.
After the liturgical services, a traditional festival was held in the church hall and the specially prepared courtyard at 23–29 Victoria Street, Coburg. The programme featured traditional Greek music, live performances by bands and a Cypriot orchestra, and folk music in the churchyard. A wide selection of food, beer, and drinks was available, ensuring there was something for everyone.
Community and Special Guests
The festival was graced by several prominent figures from the community, including the Most Reverend Bishop of Chora, Mr Tony Tsourdalakis, Father Menelaos of St Charalambos Parish, and Father Leonidas. Notable sponsors included Blue Box Australian Fish and Chips, Costas Patsiotis, and real estate brokerage MediBank.
The Parish of the Lord’s Supper in Coburg had extended a warm invitation to all expatriates, emphasising that their presence provided strength and inspiration to the community. The meticulous coordination by the volunteers and the overall excellent organisation of the event were widely praised.
This memorable celebration not only showcased the rich cultural heritage of the community but also set a high benchmark for future festivals.
