By Andrew Mellas (Source: Greek-Australian Vema – September 2012) “Monasteries came into being even in the mountains and the desert was made a city by monks…” (Saint Athanasius, Life of Saint Antony). A declaration made many centuries ago about monks living in Egypt can echo through space and time, finding its way to the Antipodes, treading the soil of a …

(Source: Greek-Australian Vema – August 2012) Steve Negroponte had donated a 153 years old icon of St Nicholas to the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene in Perth, WA. This beautiful icon has been framed and is located at the entrance of the Church on an icon stand. Below is a brief outline, prepared by Mr Negroponte, informing us on …

His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos with the NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. Andrew Constance, Minister for Fair Trading, the Hon. Anthony Roberts, and Minister for Citizenship and Communities the Hon. Victor Dominello  (Source: Greek-Australia Vema – June 2012) The Barry O’Farrell NSW Government has consolidated the view that the Estia Foundation of Australia, the mission of the Greek Orthodox …

(Source: Greek-Australia Vema – April 2012) Australia’s headquarter Greek Orthodox Cathedral has been listed on the State Heritage Register, the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announced. The listing of the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady coincides with Greek Orthodox Easter and National Heritage Week. The announcement was marked on Sunday April 15 at the end of the Easter Service …

The bells of Perth’s first Greek Orthodox Church, Saints Constantine and Helene, chimed long and loud on Sunday, 16 September, in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Church’s consecration. Completed in late 1936 after years of effort and endurance by the local Greek population, and then consecrated the following year, the Church has long been one of the main …

(Left to Right) John Panaretos, Costas Stratikopoulos, Archbishop Stylianos, Father Constantine Varipatis and Steve Costi inspect the model of the new youth facility in front of the chapel On Sunday September 30, Bribie Island Youth Camp was graced with a visit by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos. His Eminence witnessed first-hand the progress on the site, which is a campus of …

HOMILY ONE – BY SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA How lovely is the inspiration exhibited by those who are good, and how sweet is the joy which they disclose! See, we acquire a feast from a feast and grace from grace. Yesterday the Lord of the universe welcomed us whereas today it is the imitator [Stephen] of the Lord. How are …

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjiVam2HO4] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOMvLRCHkTA] *1. This is the day that gladdened them, the Prophets, Kings, and Priests, for in it were their words fulfilled, and thus were the whole of them indeed performed! *2. For the Virgin this day brought forth Immanuel in Bethlehem. The voice that of old Isaiah spoke, today became reality. *3. He was born there who in writing …

FOREWORD FROM MODE OF LIFE Quite some time ago, at Mode of Life weblog we received a particular request made by one of our readers, who wanted some information or articles on St Spyridon the wonder-working Bishop and Confessor of Tremithoundas. We regret we were not able to respond to the request sooner, and given that we are inundated with …

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS – A PERSONAL REFLECTION It almost seems like yesterday when I was residing in Damascus, and conversing with His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch after the conclusion of small vespers at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab-Touma on a very cold winter evening. I recall that at the time, His Beatitude was gravely ill and could not …