On Sunday evening, 15 December, the “Christmas Carols by Candlelight” event took place in a festive atmosphere at the premises of Saint John’s College, in the suburb of Preston, in the Holy Diocese of Chora. The event – an institution of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia served as a springboard for a spiritual, exciting journey with a double destination: the First destination, the holy manger with the Divine Infant in Bethlehem, and second, the beloved homeland and its traditions that, no matter how many years pass, continue to touch the souls of those who have emigrated.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who graced the Christmas event with his presence, focused on this dual role played by the observance of the tradition of the Carols. “By singing the Carols,” he observed, “we are essentially singing about Christ, using elements of the liturgical life of our Church. And this means that we are trying to ‘ecclesiastise’ our lives.” “At the same time, we are observing a tradition that we received from our ancestors,” he pointed out, “and of course we must continue this tradition. We must preserve this precious treasure and pass it on to the next generation.”
His Eminence also extended paternal wishes to the large audience of the event, for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s feast days and celebrations, while he congratulated His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, for the preparation and organisation of the Carols event, as well as all the other participants, especially the choirs from the parishes and communities, associations and organisations, and schools that took part in the rich festive program. Finally, he made special mention of the participation of a choir from the Romanian Community of Melbourne and expressed his gratitude to the Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Michael, who was present at the event.
At the request of the Archbishop of Australia, His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, also delivered a greeting. The Hierarch from Crete expressed his admiration for the testimony given by the Greek Diaspora of the fifth continent, remaining faithful and devoted to the Greek Orthodox traditions. “Although it is unprecedented for us to celebrate Christmas in a heat wave, as we are used to singing “snow on the bell tower”, I am glad because you prove that Christmas is not about weather conditions, but about conditions of the heart”, he said characteristically.
Among those who enjoyed the feast of melodies and emotions offered by the “Christmas Carols by Candlelight” event were His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, those accompanying the Metropolitan of Rethymno, Archimandrite Vasilios Papadakis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Anastasia of Rome in Rethymno, and Archimandrite Theologos Papalevyzakis, Spiritual Councillor of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Arkadi, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Archon Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis, President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria, the former Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis, the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Mr. Bill Papastergiadis, the brother of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Nicholas Archontonis, with his wife, Katerina, and many others.
