On Sunday the 25th of October, His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon presided over the Matins and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene in Perth, WA.
At the conclusion of the service, His Grace conducted a Doxology in commemoration of OXI Day, 28th of October 1940. OXI Day commemorates the anniversary when former Prime Minister of Greece
Ioannis Metaxas said: “OXI” (NO) to an ultimatum made by Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, an ally of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The word OXI was first presented as a title in the main article of the newspaper ‘Greek Future’ of N. P. Efstratios on October 30, 1940. Locals all over Athens ran through the streets yelling “OXI”!
His Grace was assisted in the service by the Parish Priest Fr Terry Gerovasilis and Deacon Athanasios Athanasiadis.
The doxology was conducted in the presence of the Consul of Greece in Perth, Mrs Georgia Karasiotou. Also present at the service were representatives from various local Greek organisations, as well as staff and students from St Andrew’s Grammar Greek Orthodox School. Two students from the school were called forward and beautifully recited two poems at the conclusion of the Doxology.
During the service, His Grace also presented to the Parish Priest, Fr Terry Gerovasilis, a gift to recognise the one year anniversary since his Ordination as a Deacon on the 12th of October 2019 by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. His Grace congratulated Fr Terry on his year of service to the Church and prayed that our Lord grants him and his wife, Presyvtera Stamatia, many years of good health to carry on serving at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene. His Grace passed on to Fr Terry the paternal blessings and love of His Eminence.
Following the Divine Liturgy and Doxology Service a Wreath Laying Service took place at the State War Memorial Cenotaph in Kings Park.
