On Wednesday 25 March, His Eminence Archbishop Sergios Metropolitan of Good hope officiated at the Service of the Holy Eucharist followed by an Artoclasia for the Feast of the Annunciation together with Father Nicholas Giamourides and Deacon Father Michael Simos, in the presence of Mr. Consul Thomas Matsoukas of Greece and Mr Nassos Martalas, president of the Hellenic Community of Cape Town and environs. The Service was very well attended.
In his sermon after the Service His Eminence said that this is a very significant day for the Church. It is the day that Christ was incarnated – the day that our Creator came into creation. The Gospel tells us that Saint John the Baptist was conceived six months before Christ was incarnated when his mother Saint Elizabeth, was already in advanced old age.
He explained that everyone’s life starts immediately at the time of conception and a unique personality is created. Abortion is murder! Those who have abortions or assist in abortions are murderers.
His Eminence congratulated Consul Matsoukas and said that true Hellenes care more about the spirit and less about the material things in life but unfortunately there are times that the material does become more important to some people . He also congratulated the Consul on the new government in Greece who are doing everything to maintain the dignity of the nation in their negotiations with the people in power of other countries.
He said that the current economic crisis in Greece will not be the end of independence for Greece as the country is blessed by God to support human beings and their rights. His Eminence then congratulated Mr Nassos Martalas and thanked him for the communities efforts in support of the Church and keeping it’s members in the Orthodox Faith and finally wished everyone a Blessed Feast Day and wished all the Vangelis and Evangelias who are celebrating their name day today on the day of the Evangelismos.
