Croydon Panaghia church attracts huge crowds

September 2018

It was with devoutness and splendor that thousands of Greeks celebrated the annual feast day of the Assumption of Virgin Mary at the Community’s church which bears the name of this religious milestone. The two-day event drew a multitude of parishioners from all over South Australia who attended the Great Evening Vesper on Tuesday night and the Great Celebrative Doxology on Wednesday morning, conducted by Bishop Chrisostom and the Community’s clergy.

A number of official guests also attended the service and lunch. Among them were, Minister David Pisoni representing Premier Marshall, the Leader of the Opposition Peter Malinauskas, Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, Mayor of Charles Sturt Angela Evans, Jayne Stinson MP, Irene Pnevmatikos MLC, the Hon. Michael Atkinson, President of the Cyprus Community Andreas Evdokiou, Charles Sturt Councilor Paul Alexandrides and GOCSA President Bill Gonis.

The church’s interior reached full capacity as parishioners made their way in to light a candle, pray and receive the blessings from the holy icon of Virgin Mary. At the same time, the church’s court yard was covered with marquees, tables and chairs, ready to welcome church goers for the annual feast. For that reason, a team of volunteers worked tirelessly at the BBQs and the kitchen from the early hours of the morning, preparing popular grilled delicacies and traditional sweets enjoyed by all after the service.

Due to the rainfall during the day, the procession of the holy icon took place around the churches interior and not around the block as it is the tradition.