LENT 2018 ANNO DOMINI
THE VENERABLE CELRGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE EXARCHATE
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 Exarchate, I formally announce with praise to the Father Pantocrator, presenting the evidence of the miraculous oil streaming icon of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
The Icon was purchased by my Vicar General in the autumn of 1999 as a means of devotion – assembled as a print that has been glued to a wooden panel.
Therefore, for the benefit of those who may follow via web, we declare the wondrous occurrence in the following sequence.
On the eve of the 25th of September 2017 Anno Domini after the vesperal (Evening Prayer) service commemorating the fore feast of the Universal Exultation of the Holy Cross whilst cleaning the chapel and icons which are wiped down with rose water as custom; my hand brushed the icon mentioned above removing what appeared to be oil – thus proceeding to wipe the icon which I thought may of contracted oil from a lamp, but the only lamp exists beyond the altar which is remotely far.
Hence, as I accomplished the cleaning and re-dressing the chapel for the upcoming feast, I then noticed more oil upon the icon which I previously wiped down. It was only then that I understood that the Lord through His Apostle Peter who’s mouth the oil was seeping through, was rendering encouragement and strength onto us considering the various hurdles encountered!
Thus, I informed the Vicar General late that very night due to the grace filled happening and my clergy the following morning. Whilst the Holy Synod was notified the same night of the miraculous occurrence in which after much prayer and discernment; rejoiced wholeheartedly in prayerful thanksgiving onto God for his tender mercy bestowed us
In addition, I collected most of the oil from the icon that same night and placed it aside for unction only to discover that a substantial amount of oil built up again by morning and began streaming – doing so for three consecutive weeks; the oil is of pure olive!
The Icon is now in-cased in a glass frame which rests in the sanctuary and is taken out for veneration for the faithful in the Exarchial Chapel dedicated to St Basil the Great.
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 there is an open invitation via appointment 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
Archbishop and Exarch of the Australia
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