With a special splendour and with all magnificence befitting the holiness of the Virgin Mary, a Great and Solemn Hierarchical Vespers celebrating the feast of her birth took place on Wednesday 7th September at the holy Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Mays Hill.
During the Solemn Vespers, which was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, a procession of the Holy Icon of her Nativity (the Litia) transpired in the presence of a large number of believers from our churches across Sydney, together with the clergy of our Archdiocese.
After the blessing of the five loaves (the Artoklasia) and dismissal of the service, our Chief Shepherd explained the theological and spiritual meaning of this Great Feast, labelling it as “the first-fruit of our salvation.”
The Vespers was followed by an agape meal (meal of love) in the Church hall, prepared by the ladies’ society and parish council, where everyone shared in the joy and hospitality of St. Mary’s Church. Have a blessed feast through the intercessions of the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary.