The Archiepiscopal Vicar of Canberra and Tasmania, Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Nicholas in Canberra, on Christmas morning, accompanied by the Hierarchical Head of the Church, Fr. Petros Kipouros, as reported by vema.com.au.
The Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Georgios Papakostas, with his wife, the Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Mission, Theodoros Michalopoulos, as well as the President of the Cypriot Brotherhood of Canberra attended the service
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Petros welcomed the Bishop, emphasizing how important for Canberra to have a Bishop while giving him two gifts on behalf of the Parish.
In his reply, the Bishop thanked Fr. Petros for his kind words and addressed the faithful, asking them first to let Christ be born in their hearts.
He also asked them to pray more. He asked them to pray for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, for Archbishop Makarios of Australia, for the head of their Parish, Fr. Peter, for the youth of Australia so that God may guide and bless them, as well as for their new Bishop.
Finally, the Bishop wished everyone heartily, while conveying the wishes and blessings of Archbishop Makarios.