In an atmosphere of ecclesiastical reverence, the Festal Vespers for the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross was celebrated on the evening of Saturday, 13 September, at the church of the Holy Cross in the suburb of Glenelg, Adelaide. The service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, assisted by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint George of the Mountain in New South Wales, as well as the clergy of Adelaide.
Before the homily, His Eminence praised Bishop Silouan, Parish Priest Fr. Panayiotis Photakis, and their co-workers for their efforts in organising and developing the newly founded parish, established in 2023. “This effort is a sign and testimony that, with the grace of God, our Archdiocese is growing, progressing, and flourishing,” he remarked.
The Archbishop then spoke about the importance of the Cross in the life and conscience of Orthodox Christians, analysing the prophecy read at the beginning of Vespers, which recounts the miracle at Marah (Exodus 15:22–25). There, Moses, by throwing a piece of wood into the spring, turned the bitter waters sweet so that the Israelites could drink in the desert. As His Eminence explained, the wood Moses cast into the waters is a prefiguration of the Cross, and for this reason the Church has chosen this particular scriptural passage to be read on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
“What tonight’s prophecy tells us,” he emphasised, “is to place the Cross in our lives, and then, where life is bitter, it will become sweet.” Clarifying that the Cross does not automatically free us from the sorrows and trials of this life, he stressed that it strengthens us with courage and hope, transforming our sadness into joy.
“Place the Cross in your life, and everything will change,” His Eminence continued, making a paternal appeal to the faithful present to make the sign of the Cross daily. Above all, he pointed out, Christians must be freed from the fear of death, which has been conquered, through the Cross, by our Lord Jesus Christ. He concluded that liberation from the fear of death is a fundamental element of the Orthodox Christian faith.
