On Saturday 29th January at 11 am, under the patronage of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios the blessing service for the commencement of the Educational and Youth Ministry year for 2022 was held at the St Paul Youth Centre in Punchbowl.
His Eminence Basilios conducted a service of the Lesser Water Blessing. Several clergy members, educators, parents and students were in attendance and several great speakers were lined up. His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios gave an insightful talk, making the connection between the feast of the Holy Hierarchs and the commencement of the new educational year and he outlined the purpose of education in the Archdiocese and how all the programs and activities on offer are to build the Body of Christ.
Mr Nicolas El Debs outlined the achievement and goals of the Antiochian Orthodox Church school, Mrs Alana Barhoumeh discussed the progress and future ambitions of Antiochian Christian Orthodox Youth (ACOY) and Sub Deacon Jason Israel explained the purpose of the St Paul Orthodox Christian Education (SPOCE) program and what topics are covered.
The event concluded with a cutting of a cake and offering of a Bookmark of the Holy Hierarchs to the faithful in attendance. We look forward to this annual blessing ceremony and we wish you all a fruitful educational year.
