During his recent visit to the parish of St. John the Baptist in Cairns for the 25th Anniversary of the parish and the official opening of the new offices of St. John’s Community Care, Archbishop Makarios bestowed the Gold Cross of St. Andrew on two of the parish’s foundational workers.
Chaz Giannoukas and Effie Bacalakis have been working voluntarily to build and grow the parish from its inception in the early 1990s. They have donated time, energy, expertise, and private funds to build St. John’s to be one of the most dynamic parishes in Australia. It’s offshoot organisation, St. John’s Community Care services over 5000 clients in the aged and disability sector, providing home care, centre-based respite, group homes, home modification, transport and much more.
The Archbishop pointed out to the large crowd that self-sacrifice carried out in a silent and humble manner is Christ-like and pleasing to God.
The Gold Cross of St. Andrew is the highest award of recognition given by the Archbishop usually to laypeople who have offered lifelong service.
