St Nectarios Burwood today commemorated 100 years since the repose of their patron saint with a special church service officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and priests from across Sydney.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, only 50 people were able to attend the service, but parishioners continued to flock to the church throughout the day to light a candle and venerate the Holy Relic of Saint Nectarios.
“Hundreds of people usually come to venerate Saint Nectarios on his feast day as he is a much-loved saint and known for many miracles. But due to COVID-19, we weren’t allowed to have as many people this year,” Father George Liangas tells The Greek Herald.
“It was still a very poignant service and we hope that once restrictions lift, we are able to mark this occasion, as well as the 50th anniversary of our church, and recognise all those people who have contributed significantly to our parish community.”
During the service, Archbishop Makarios gave a short speech discussing his personal connection to Saint Nectarios, who was the Dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School where the Archbishop studied.
This was followed by a small luncheon with His Eminence, Father George Liangas and other Priests, as well as board members of the Parish-Community, including the President Penelopy Kioussis, the Ladies Philoptochos and other church officials and volunteers.