APOSTLES FAST 2023 ANNO DOMINI
LAUDATE DOMINUM!
Dear Very Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters of the Church in Australia,
GRACE AND PEACE BE YOURS IN ABUNDANCE.
As you are all aware of the various miracles the Lord is working within the Exarchal Metropolis, I formally announce with praise to the Father Pantocrator, presenting the evidence of the miraculous oil streaming icon of the Apostles Assembly at Holy Pentecost.
The Icon print amongst others was given me by a Greek family who belonged to a parish which was liquidated by its bishop in early 2000’s. This same icon was displayed at the feast of Holy Pentecost this year and has remained on the chapel altar of St. Basil the Great ever since.
Therefore, for the benefit of those who may follow via web, we declare the wondrous occurrence in the following sequence.
On this eve of the 1st of July 2023 Anno Domini before the vesperal (Evening Prayer) service commemorating the Apostle Jude Thaddeus, I proceeded to clean the chapel and icons which are wiped down with rose water and cologne as custom. As I dimmed the lights for the evening service, the glow from the sanctuary lamp reflected on the glass screen covering the icon of what appeared to be liquid – thus proceeding to examine the icon, oil was found seeping downwards.
It was remarkable that the oil was seeping down the side of Apostle Peter as was the case with another icon on the 25th September 20018AD in whose mouth the oil was seeping through and down his shoulders. Also, it is extraordinary that the current miraculous occurrence displayed on the side where Apostle Jude Thaddeus (who we commemorate this eve) is seated!
Thus, I informed the Vicar General, clergy and the Primate of our Church His Beatitude Volodymir of Milan; rejoicing wholeheartedly in prayerful thanksgiving onto God for his tender mercy bestowed us. The First Hierarch also asked that the icon be venerated by the faithful as the means of blessing.
This very icon shall be exposed for veneration along with the first oil streaming icon on the feast of our Exarchal Metropolis 15th July for the Vigil Divine Liturgy. This once again is a testament of the Lord’s presence who is wondrous in his saints, rendering consolation in the midst of ecclesial blunders and power play theatrics.
May this episcopal statement upon the truth and reality of the wondrous matter be a source of consolation for those who grow weary and may have strayed away from the Church due to various reasons – encouragement for progress in the spiritual life of the baptized!
All are welcome to the divine services and to those who may just wish to sit quietly in mediative prayer, light a candle and ask the Apostles for assistance as they intercede to the Lord for our needs.
With every Blessing sincerely invoked upon you in Christ our Bishop,
+Raffaele
METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP AND EXARCH
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