ICON OF THE GETHSEMANE

STATEMENT FOR THAT WHICH OCCURRED IN THE MORNING PRAYERS COMMEMORATING THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 2026AD

The venerable Clergy and People of this Holy Exarchal Metropolis under the protection of the Lord’s Apostles.

LAUDATE DOMINUM!

DEUS AUTEM, QUI DIVES EST IN MISERICORDIA

Dear Family of the Church and friends of Holy Apostles,

As you are all aware of the various miracles the Lord is working within our Church, such as the miraculous oil streaming icon of the Apostles Peter and Paul which occurred on the eve of the 25^th of September 2017 Anno Domini after the vesperal (Evening Prayer) service commemorating the fore feast of the Universal Exultation of the Holy Cross.

The Epitaph icon (the Shroud of Christ) which streamed olive oil throughout the Great Friday ceremonies in April of 2021 Anno Domini. Further, the miraculous oil streaming icon of the Pentecost which occurred on the day of the 13^th of July Anno Domini after the Divine Liturgy.

Along with the Icon of the Mother of God (She who is worthy of all veneration and blessedness) which miraculously began streaming olive oil from the hand of the Mother of God within the Divine Liturgy commemorating the Presentation of the Lord on Thursday 15^th February 2024AD

Therefore, after authentication rendered by the Holy Synod of bishops, It is with immense joy that we communicate another blessed occurrence through the presence of the Lord who exhorted to his Holy Apostles: Keep watch and pray (Mt 26:41)

The paper print icon of the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane began perspiring olive oil for 4 consecutive weeks beginning from the morning prayers commemorating the Birth of St John the Baptist and Forerunner of the Lord on the 7^th July 2026AD

The icon has rested on the prosthesis table (altar of oblation) which itself has also been perspiring olive oil as a testament that God receives the liturgy his Church offers via the ministry of his holy angels he appoints to guard places consecrated to him!

This framed paper icon is in the care of our presbyter Fr Georgios Emmanuel, who in his ill health looked after a good lady and servant of the Church in her final stages of cancer Although Fr Georgios is unwell and has retired from ministry, yet he continues to pray and be present in the lives of those who have been shunned from their families and alienated from their communities.

Truly, the Suffering Christ is in the midst of his people who have been affected by ills of all kinds – a reminder that the Lord hears the cry of the poor (Ps 34:6) In our weakness, we are made strong, and most assuredly, through his wounds, we are healed (Isa 53:5)    

May the Lord who is our Shepherd embrace us his fold in the safety of his presence, and let us allow every encounter especially through the divine mysteries to remould us in his glorious image, for he is the potter, and we the clay, the work of his hands (Isa 64:8)   

With every Blessing invoked upon you in Christ our glorious Bishop,  

+Raffaele

Metropolitan Archbishop and Exarch of Australia

CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES