All services for the Blessing of the Waters in New South Wales and Victoria have been cancelled for next year, according to a statement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
The decision to cancel the events was made due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in both states, and was announced following an extraordinary online meeting chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Further to this, the services for the annual cutting of the Vasilopita in Sydney (January 3), in Melbourne (January 2) and Northcote (January 3) have also been cancelled.
A common service for the cutting of the Vasilopita will be held after the Divine Liturgy on January 1 by their Graces the Bishops at the churches where they will be liturgising.
In late January, an official celebratory dinner scheduled for the patron feast day of Archbishop Makarios has also been cancelled.
Full Statement:
