Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of Canberra overseeing Tasmania visited the Association of Ukrainians in Hobart, Tasmania.
The aim of the visit was to provide moral support and offer assistance on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and its Primate, Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The Bishop was accompanied by Reverend Father Dimitrios Katsis, the Parish Priest of the Greek Orthodox Parish of Holy Trinity in Hobart.
Bishop Bartholomew presented an icon of Christ to the President of the Ukrainian Association Tania Tkachuk, with the prayer that God grants peace to the beautiful country of Ukraine.
Furthermore, the Bishop emphasized that the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has a love for Ukraine and this was depicted with the granting of the Tomos of Autocephaly approximately three years ago, and with the commencement of the war where the Ecumenical Patriarch from the first day condemned the act of war from Russia describing the war as “unjust and unholy”.
In addition, the Bishop also expressed the support of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and its Primate towards all Ukrainians of Australia. Bishop Bartholomew emphasized that upon the instruction of Archbishop Makarios, the Archdiocese has offered 30 scholarships to children of Ukrainian immigrants and that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will not “turn its back” on the people of Ukraine.
Bishop Bartholomew wished the children a blessed Christmas and offered his prayers for a peaceful resolution.
The President of the Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania thanked Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis for his visit, his love, and support, and presented the Bishop with a book titled “With Ukrainian Greetings, A history of the Ukrainian community in Tasmania”.