The parish of Saint Haralambos in Mount Gambier has now marked its first Palm Sunday and Paschal cycle, embedding the permanent liturgical presence for Orthodox faithful in the South Australian regional city.
Proceedings began on Saturday evening, April 4, with Vespers at 6pm, followed by a Bible study session, “Explore Orthodoxy,” at 7pm. The gathering provided both a liturgical introduction to the weekend and an opportunity for catechesis, reflection, and engagement with the foundations of Orthodox faith.
Proceedings continued Sunday, April 5, with the Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy commencing at 8am, marking the parish’s first observance of one of the most significant feasts of the liturgical calendar.
Presiding over the services was Father Armando, Parish Priest of St Andrew’s, Noarlunga, who delivered a sermon situating the moment within the broader historical and spiritual experience of the Greek diaspora.
“Out of longing for our homeland, and to maintain our connection with the country we left behind, we established, alongside communities and associations – churches as well,” Fr Armando said.
“All these beautiful things that Hellenism created became places where Greeks gather, where we commune in Christ, and where we come together and find our godparents, our cousins, our friends, our relatives, [and] everyone.”
From this historical foundation, Fr Armando cautioned against a subtle drift within diaspora communities.
“…[G]radually, there is a danger that we begin to adopt a more Protestant mentality and drift away from Orthodoxy, creating additional “Greek” structures rather than remaining rooted in the true life of the Church. The Church of Christ is not merely an institution. It is the house of God, in which all Orthodox Christians pray,” he said.
Turning to the newly established parish of St Haralambos, he acknowledged the strong local support and spiritual hunger evident among the faithful.
“Here, in [the parish of] St Haralambos, as we begin these first steps, I can see… there is great enthusiasm and eagerness for this church. There is a deep longing for Orthodoxy,” he said.
Fr Armando stressed that what must be established in Mount Gambier is an Orthodox spiritual centre under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
“Please, I urge you, do not fall into the illusion of creating yet another ‘club.’ … There is already a strong Greek community… and I can see there is great love and support for this work. I am certain there will be harmonious cooperation and progress for both the community and the Church,” he said.
Fr Armando concluded by articulating the theological core of Orthodox faith, particularly in the context of Holy Week.
“…God became incarnate, became human, suffered, was humbled, was crucified, and rose again. That is faith… It is not an ideology. It is not a philosophical system. It has nothing to do with human achievements or abstract theories. It is our unwavering faith in the one true God. And this is what we must live here, from the very beginning, and what we must dedicate ourselves to,” he said.
The weekend concluded with a communal Palm Sunday luncheon held at Metro Café on Commercial Street, where parishioners gathered in shared fellowship and Easter celebration.
