“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind” (2Tim 1:7).
With this motivating biblical reference, His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios addressed the HSC students on Friday 21st February at the annual HSC commemoration event. Twenty-three students who completed the 2019 Higher School Certificate were in attendance with ninety members of family and friends watching on.
The evening commenced with an opening prayer and Mary Khoury, one of the HSC recipients, expressing a few deep words of wisdom on her experience of the HSC and how God’s power guided and strengthened her. Then our Chief shepherd Metropolitan Basilios reminded the students that they are loved dearly by the Archdiocese and that they are precious and valuable in the eyes of the Church.
Regardless of their future career, Metropolitan Basilios asked them to remember the Holy Orthodox Church in their hearts and continue to attend and participate in the life of the church. He also encouraged the students to use the power of the Holy Spirit to live as true Christians in the world and not to be afraid to give a true testimony of their love of Christ. He recommended that each of the students use their talents for God’s glory and serve with love in all they do, and that they will inherit the earthly church one day.
The students had an opportunity to share what valuable lessons they had learnt by completing the HSC and most agreed that it was the guidance of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the support of their families that assisted them in their studies. Each student received a gift of love from the Archdiocese and the evening concluded with group photos, light dinner and refreshments.
It was truly a heart-warming event that brought our youth together along with their proud families and friends. We look forward to meeting the 2020 HSC students!
