Ordination

On Saturday 2 July, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, College alumnus Phillip Papagiannopoulos (BTh, 2020) was ordained to the holy diaconate by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta at the Holy Monastery of Panagia Axion Estin (Northcote, VIC). In his guiding speech to the newly ordained deacon, His Grace stated amongst other things, “as a deacon of the Church, you will serve the tables of the faithful like the original seven deacons known to us in the Books of Acts. However, these tables are not tables that we set up to sit and enjoy a meal. The tables that you will serve are the Holy Tables of the Divine Liturgy where the food is Christ’s own Body and Blood. Christ says Himself, indeed my flesh is really food that nourishes, and my blood is truly a drink that quenches. This ministry you enter is a service that speaks of trembling and awe, of love and passion for the mysteries of God. I council you, my beloved Sub-Deacon Phillip, that you embrace this ministry with all the holy dread and veneration that you can muster. I have no doubt that you will do exactly this.” Dn Phillip will serve as His Grace’s personal deacon, and assist him within the Office of the Archdiocesan District of Northcote. Dn Phillip was recently married to Magdalene.