“With love and unity, we advance for the glory of Christ and our nation, as it is worthwhile to pass on a better future to the new generations.” The unifying message delivered by Archbishop Makarios of Australia served as the culmination of the grand anniversary event titled “In Honor and Memory – 100 Years since the Establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.” The event took place in the prestigious setting of the Sydney City Hall on the evening of Friday, March 22.
The grand hall was filled to capacity with spectators who delighted in a splendid musical concert directed by the composer Ilias Vytogiannis. This distinguished evening was graced by the presence of Bishops Iakovos of Militoupolis, Christodoulos of Magnesia, and Bartholomew of Charioupolis, alongside the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, accompanied by their spouses. Additionally, Greek-Australian MP and Shadow Minister of Finance and Sports in New South Wales, Eleni Petinou, also honored the event with her presence.
Following the musical program’s conclusion, Archbishop Makarios delivered a brief speech, reflecting on the historical journey that led to the establishment of the Holy Archdiocese. He underscored the pivotal role played by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in fostering the enduring legacy of Orthodoxy on the fifth continent. He pointed out that the Mother Church had not ceased to shepherd and care for its flock in Australia, a fact clearly reaffirmed by the recent beneficial decisions made by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese. Thanks to these decisions, which were taken after a positive recommendation by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, “we are now sure,” the Archbishop noted, “that the future we are preparing for our children will be free from the rifts and divisions of the past and, above all, from church schisms and separations.”
Archbishop Makarios also expressed gratitude to all his predecessors, as well as to the clergy and laity who worked sacrificially over the past hundred years for the advancement of the Greek community on the fifth continent. He proceeded to extend his congratulations to the participants of the anniversary event, beginning with composer Ilias Vytogiannis, and expressed gratitude to all those present for sharing in the joy of the local Church. Referring to the newly appointed Ambassador of Greece, Venizelos, Archbishop Makarios described him as a sensitive and charitable individual, expressing gratitude for his decision to commence his service in Australia by attending the anniversary event of the Holy Archdiocese.
In conclusion, Archbishop Makarios emphasized a unifying call to all, highlighting that “unity and love among us are the only instruments upon which we can depend to progress and be guided towards the light. Absolutely, everything else: selfishness, divisions, antipathies, hatred, and ambitions, lead to darkness and decline.”
Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos