Celebration of the Nativity of the Theotokos at the Pilgrimage Church of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill

With particular splendour and reverence, and with the participation of hundreds of faithful, the great Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated on Tuesday, 8 September, at the Pilgrimage Church of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill, Victoria.

Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra presided over the Matins and the feast day Hierarchical Divine Liturgy as the representative of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

From the early hours of the morning, large numbers of devout pilgrims arrived at the Pilgrimage Church from various parts of Victoria, while organised buses transported faithful from more distant areas so that they could participate in the feast and venerate the revered Icon of Panagia Kamariani. Hundreds of faithful filled the Holy Church.

Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the holy Icon of Panagia Kamariani was carried in procession, with the participation of the clergy and the large congregation.

In his homily, Bishop Athinagoras reflected upon the profound theological meaning of the Nativity of the Theotokos and the place of the Panagia within the mystery of the Divine Economy, emphasising that her birth marks the beginning of the fulfilment…