His Eminence Archbishop Sergios blesses the Vasilopita
On Wednesday 1 January 2014, the beginning of the civil new -year was marked by the Service of the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral of St. George in Cape Town. After the Divine Liturgy His Eminence, Archbishop Sergios held the Doxology for the New Year, and blessed the Vasilopita, the sweet bread commemorating Saint Basil the Great.
After the blessing of the Vasilopites, His Eminence opened his address to the congregation by underlining that the first day of January is not only the start of a new year, but also the day on which we commemorate the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world as a man in order to guide us on how to lead our lives as Christians.
On the first day of January the Church also commemorates Saint Basil the Great of Caesarea, one of the greatest and most important pillars of our Orthodox Church. St Basil grew up in a family which numbers among its members several illustrious saints–both men and women. He was well educated in the Greek classics. He was a learned philosopher, who compared Greek Philosophy with the teachings of Christ. He abandoned the secular arena and passionately devoted himself to serving Christ.
His Eminence thanked all those who were present on this the first day of the year, and reminded us of the importance of this day, not only for those named after Saint Basil, but also for all of us as we prepare our lives for the year ahead, spiritual and otherwise. Orthodox Christians should participate in this service parallel to the other festivities that are happening around us. He also wished those in the congregaiton who were celebrating their name- day.
Archbishop Sergios wished the president of the Greek Community of Cape Town, Mr. Martalas, his family and his committee good health and every success with the projects he and his committee have undertaken. He also thanked Mr. Andreas Coulbanis, president of the Hellenic Students Association at UCT for his efforts in bringing the youth closer to the community and the church saying he would like to see more participation of our youth in the life of the Church in the coming year.
His Eminence concluded by thanking the psalters for their committed service to the church, and Pater Nikolaos and Deacon Michael for their loyalty to the Church and all their efforts and tireless work in the Orthodox Community. Mr. Martalas came forward to cut the Vasilopita, and everyone received a piece of the sweet cake, in the New Year Church tradition.
Mr Nassos Martalas cuts the Vasilopita
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου