On Monday, May 16, 2022, in Melbourne, Victoria, Archbishop Makarios of Australia met with Premier Daniel Andrews, specifically in the building of the local Parliament of Victoria.
The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation between the two men and on the agenda of the discussions were issues that concern the Hellenism of the two Archdiocesan Districts of Victoria, both Melbourne, and Northcote.
Among the topics discussed was the further development, renovation, and development of the “Axion Esti” Monastery building in the Archdiocesan District of Northcote. This is an ambitious project of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and Archbishop Makarios of Australia, which looks forward to the opening of the buildings and spaces that will be transformed and the possibility of their use by the Greek community and especially the young people.
At the same time, the possibility of finding a suitable plot for the construction of the Holy Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox in Melbourne was discussed, a desire of the Greek Immigrants, which will be realized by Archbishop Makarios.
Premier Daniel Andrews shared in the Archbishop’s ardent desire and himself showed a keen and lively interest in both of the local Church’s proposed ambitious plans.
Archbishop Makarios was accompanied by their Graces, Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, Archdeacon Father Athenagoras Karakonstantakis, Deacon Father Irineos Koikas, while, present along with the Premier of Victoria at the meeting were MPs Steve Dimopoulos and Lee Tarlamis.