“Axios! Mustahiq! He is worthy!”
These were the mighty words resounding off the walls of St. George Cathedral, Redfern as hundreds of believers witnessed and affirmed the laying of hands by His Eminence, Metropolitan Basilios, on Subdeacon Michel Nahas, ordaining him to the holy rank of the Diaconate, and bestowing upon him the name Deacon Theophan. [continued below]
The memorable service took place on Sunday 17th March at 9 am – the first Sunday of Great Lent, known as The Sunday of Orthodoxy – beginning with Matins and followed by a Divine Liturgy in which the blessed ordination took place.
Tears of joy filled the Church as the candidate entered the sanctuary through the royal doors for the first time, proceeding around the holy altar table three times and receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit by the laying of hands of His Eminence.
Deacon Theophan is named after St. Theophan the Recluse, known for his many writings on spiritual life and especially the training of youth in the faith – which is fitting for a deacon who has worked so tirelessly with the Sunday School and youth of our Archdiocese. His name also comes from the Feast Day Theophany (Jan 6th), meaning the ‘manifestation of God’.
We pray that the Lord blesses and strengthens our new Deacon and his wife Deaconess Catherine in their new spiritual journey and ministry.
Axios!
