Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
1 Apr 24: His Grace Bishop George celebrates the Divine Liturgy on the second Sunday of Great Lent at Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral Strathfield
On 31 March 2024, second Sunday of Great Lent, where the Church celebrates St Gregory Palamas, two liturgies were served at Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral Strathfield – English Liturgy at 7am and a Slavonic Liturgy at 9am. His Grace George, Bishop of Sydney Australia and New Zealand celebrated the Divine Liturgy at 9am. Co-serving with Bishop George were the Cathedral clergy.
During the sermon, Bishop George spoke on the Gospel reading where Christ forgave the sins of the paralytic and then healed his paralysis, demonstrating the importance of forgiveness of his sins before healing his paralysis.
Bishop George also reminded the faithful that last week the Church celebrated the Triumph of Orthodoxy and St Gregory Palamas is an example of a true defender of our faith. St Gregory repeatedly refuted the false teachings of the Catholic monk Barlaam during debates, who denied the existence of uncreated light. The Catholic monk Barlaam did not accept the teachings of St Gregory, a holy ascetic, because of a darkened heart. Likewise, the people did not accept the teachings of Christ, the Apostles and the saints because of their darkened hearts and their sins. This is also relevant at the present time.
