6 January 2026

The official cutting of the Agiovasilopita of the Holy Diocese of Chora was celebrated on Sunday at the Holy Church of Axion Estin in Northcote to mark the beginning of the new year.

The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Chora in the presence of clergy, representatives of parish organizations and a large number of believers.

Among those present were the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, the brother of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Nikolaos Archontonis, with his wife Ekaterini, as well as representatives of organisations of the parish.

During his speech, His Holiness referred to the meaning of the custom of Agiovasilopita, emphasising that the Church enters the new year not simply with wishes, but with blessing, discernment, and spiritual orientation.

According to the teaching of Saint Basil the Great, time is a divine legacy and calls man to responsibility, faith and ecclesiastical life.

Connecting the message of the day with the Gospel of the Sunday before Epiphany, His Holiness focused on the person of Saint John the Baptist as an authentic criterion of distinction, pointing out that the true preacher does not turn people to himself, but leads them to Christ and to the life of the Church, especially in an era of many and conflicting voices.

Particular reference was made to the announcement by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, according to which the new year has been dedicated to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the completion of thirty-five years since his election and enthronement.

His Holiness conveyed to everyone the paternal wishes and blessings of Archbishop Makarios, wishing that the new year will be a year of spiritual discernment, unity and a fruitful journey for all.

The ceremony concluded with the blessing and cutting of the Agiovasilopita. The coin was found in the piece belonging to Lazaros Stamatopoulos.