Sunday 8 August 2021 saw the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne and affiliated regions mark the first anniversary of establishing St Philomena Children’s Home in Fiji in the South Pacific.
St Philomena’s is a Coptic Orthodox Children’s Home dedicated to improving the life of Fijian disadvantaged children and realising their full potential.
St Philomena’s Home got official approval to operate on 10 August 2020, and certification on 28 October 2020, by Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Minister of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation in Fiji.
Held online through Zoom application, the 8 August celebration was organised by Fr Raphael Bassili of Fiji, in cooperation with priests and servants of the Church of St John the Apostolic and St Philomena in Melbourne. During the event, the choir of St Philomena’s Home presented hymns and spiritual activities in participation with the choir of Mar-Mina’s Children Home. The celebration included screening a documentary on the phases of establishing and opening St Philomena’s Home, and social and sports activities during the past year. Another video screened depicted a play on the life story of St Philomela, performed by the children.
The celebration featured spiritual words by the priests.
Finally, the jubilant children joined Fr Raphael in cutting the cake.
Watani International
8 August 2021