On Friday 17 January and Saturday 18 January we had services for the Eve of Theophany, with the Great Blessing of Water served on Saturday following Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with the parish rector at the Saturday services was Hieromonk John (MacPherson) of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Monkerai, NSW. Following the dismissal and the singing of the festive troparion and kontakion, the parish rector congratulated all with the approach of the feast, making special mention of the parishioners of the former Theophany Parish of the Moscow Patriarchate (1994-2009) in Mayfield, a neighbouring suburb of Newcastle. He noted that 2014 was both the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of that parish and the fifth anniversary of its closure and the joining of its flock with the Wallsend parish, reminding all of the importance of preserving the memory of all that was accomplished for the glory of God in the Theophany parish during the fifteen years of its existence. Afterwards, many remained behind for refreshments and fellowship in the church hall.