The date was 26 July 1970 when the late Archbishop of Australia Ezekiel presided over the service of the official opening of the Parish of St Nectarios in Burwood, Sydney.
50 years later, the Parish welcomed scores of parishioners of all ages who, in a deeply moving ceremony, celebrated the important anniversary of the church, as well as the feast day of Saint Paraskevi.
Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, who attended the parish for the first time, presided over the divine liturgy together with Parish priest Father George Liangas and his immediate predecessor, Father John Kapetas.
In his sermon, Bishop Emilianos spoke to parishioners about an aspect of spirituality that characterised St Paraskevi, but also St Nectarios and all the saints of the Greek Orthodox Church.
He explained that faithful can become more spiritual, as long as they struggle against vanity.
“That is, our actions should not be in vain. Our thoughts should not be about vain things. Our life should not be vain, but it must have meaning,” Bishop Emilianos stressed.
“It must be oriented towards God,” he added, underlying that “only in this way can we become like St Paraskevi and like St Nectarios, the Patron saint of your Parish.”
The meal, which was served after the Divine Liturgy, was prepared and hosted by the Ladies Philoptochos of the Parish.
