The Parish of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill, Melbourne, marked the Sunday of the Prodigal Son on February 8 by reviving the traditional grape stomping festival in the church courtyard for the first time in almost six years.
The day began with the Divine Liturgy, presided over by Archimandrite Fr Irinaios Koikas and assisted by Fr Matthew Papadopoulos, with His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis attending, preaching the Holy Sermon and presiding from the throne.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Ezekiel stressed the importance of preserving tradition among Orthodox Greeks of the diaspora and referred to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, noting that unity and the safeguarding of cultural and ecclesiastical identity had been achieved during his leadership.
The celebration drew a strong turnout, including many young families, with children actively participating in the grape stomping.
Fr Irinaios thanked Metropolitan Ezekiel for his presence and said the festival would now return annually in a more organised form.
