The Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ was celebrated with great religious devotion and grandeur at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection in Kogarah, Sydney, on Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Leading the Resurrection Service was His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, joined by Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia. Bishop Christodoulos also serves as Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Parish Priest of the hosting church.
Once again, thousands of faithful filled the church, courtyard and surrounding streets well before midnight, holding candles and chanting hymns as they awaited the joyous message, “Christ is Risen.”
As the Archbishop delivered the proclamation of the Resurrection at midnight, a sea of lit candles illuminated the night, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and unity.
The Paschal Encyclical of His Eminence was read in both Greek and English, followed by the Divine Liturgy presided over by the Archbishop and concelebrated by the assisting clergy.
Among the official guests in attendance were the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Mr Stavros Venizelos; Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Ioannis Mallikourtis; Federal Liberal MP and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Coleman; NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Mr Stephen Kamper; NSW MP and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Mr Mark Coure; Georges River Councillor, Ms Ashvini Ambihaipahar; Liberal candidate for the seat of Barton, Ms Fiona Douskou; and Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council, Mr Theodosios Penklis, who is also an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
