On Friday, 29 June 2018, His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines along with the Reverend Clergy of the state of New South Wales, visited the burial place of the Antiochian Hierarchs on the occasion of the one-year memorial of the passing of the late Metropolitan Paul Saliba of Thrice Blessed Memory. His Eminence prayed the Trisagion for the late Hierarchs Paul and Gibran, of Thrice Blessed Memory.
Then on Saturday, 30 June 2018, His Eminence, the Clergy and the faithful of the Archdiocese also gathered at St George’s Cathedral in Redfern, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the repose of the soul of the late Metropolitan Paul Saliba of Thrice Blessed Memory, with the presence of Bishop Silouan, of the Serbian Orthodox Church, representatives from other churches and the Saliba family in Sydney. His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, in his sermon, emphasised the importance of always remembering and praying for the departed Hierarchs and Clergy. Without their service, we were reminded, we would not have the blessings we now enjoy. We reap what they sowed; just as, in turn, others will reap what we sow. He spoke of the multitude of accomplishments of the late Metropolitan and encouraged the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese to continue to build on his legacy.
“Today, and moving forward, we all share the responsibility of continuing Sayedna Paul’s legacy that he created tirelessly, through the work of the Holy Spirit, for his flock and his Church. Rest in peace Sayedna, and be assured that we will be faithful to your vision, we will continue the outstanding work and labours you established through twenty years of ministry as our Metropolitan.”
Following the Liturgy, all gathered in the Cathedral Hall for a mercy meal.
