South Australia’s St Andrew’s parish consecrates rebuilt church after devastating fire

Last week the Parish of St Andrew successful Noarlunga celebrated the consecration of its rebuilt church, which stands arsenic a symbol of renewal pursuing the occurrence that destroyed the spot of worship 18 months ago.

On Saturday, September 13, parishioners gathered astatine Christies Downs, to witness the ineffable rites officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. He was joined by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide and different clergy, dignitaries, and faithful from the section and wider Orthodox community.

The time began aboriginal with Matins astatine 7am with a consecration service, followed by the Divine Liturgy. Unlike a blessing, the consecration of a religion is simply a profound lawsuit successful the Orthodox tradition — it is the baptism of the gathering itself, marking it arsenic a imperishable location of God.

A cardinal infinitesimal successful the work was the placement of beatified relics into the altar table, echoing the aboriginal Christian signifier of celebrating the Eucharist implicit the tombs of martyrs. The altar was then washed with water, wine, and beatified chrism, clothed successful coverings, and anointed, symbolising the sanctification of the full space done the beingness of the Holy Spirit.

“The religion stands arsenic a beacon of faith, where generations travel to pray. As the parish clergyman said, ‘It is present that the endless spiritual travel begins.'” Photo: Supplied

After 18 months of rebuilding pursuing the fire, the religion has been restored not arsenic a vibrant spiritual home. The ambiance was 1 of solemn worship interwoven with joyousness and thanksgiving.

Preparation included parishioners engaged successful prayer, fasting, confession, and Holy Communion to spiritually acceptable themselves, recognising that the consecration was a renewal not conscionable of bricks and mortar, but of hearts and community.

Careful attraction was paid to each item — from the cleaning and beautification of the religion to the mentation of ineffable vessels and the rehearsal of lengthy hymns by choirs. Volunteers ensured that hospitality was extended graciously to each clergy and guests attending the event.

Archbishop Makarios, presided implicit the consecration, and emphasised the meaning down the ceremony.

“The astir important is not the walls, the bricks oregon the roofs. I bash not attraction for them. I attraction for the radical of the parish.”

Archbishop Makarios, who presided implicit the consecration, reminded parishioners: ‘The astir important is not the walls, the bricks oregon the roof. I attraction for the radical of the parish.'” Photo: Supplied

He reminded the congregation that the consecration took spot connected the aforesaid day — September 13 — arsenic the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection successful Jerusalem, linking St Andrew’s to 1 of Christianity’s holiest traditions. The time concluded with a luncheon astatine St Basil’s Homes Aegean Village.

The religion present stands arsenic a beacon of religion for parishioners and a spot where each generations spell to question pray. As the parish clergyman said, “It is present that the endless spiritual travel begins”.