The memory of Venerable Makarios the Great was celebrated with grandeur and ecclesiastical splendor on Sunday, January 19, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Sydney.
This joyous occasion, marking the name day of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, was etched in the history of the local Church as it featured the first Synodal Divine Liturgy since the establishment of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia by the Ecumenical Patriarchate last year.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Divine Liturgy, joined by Metropolitans Seraphim of Sebasteia and Iakovos of Ireland, Bishop Michael of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Australia, as well as Bishops Elpidios of Perth, Silouan of Adelaide, Kyriakos of Melbourne, Evmenios of Chora, Bartholomew of Brisbane, Iakovos of Miletopolis, and Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
The Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese, Archimandrite Christoforos Krikelis of the Ecumenical Throne, participated alongside numerous clergy from across Australia, the Abbot of the Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa in Mangrove, Archimandrite Eusebius of the Ecumenical Throne, and the Abbot of the Monastery of St. George in Yellow Rock, Archimandrite Ieronymos of the Ecumenical Throne.
A number of other clergymen and monks from the aforementioned monasteries, including the former Abbot of the Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Elder Stefanos, and nuns from the Holy Cross Monastery in Mangrove under the Abbess, Elder Filothei, were present. Also in attendance were the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonios Sammoutis; the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; Archons of the Holy and Great Church of Christ; presidents and representatives of parishes and organizations of the Holy Archdiocese; diaspora organizations; and a large number of pious believers. Following the Divine Liturgy, attendees had the opportunity to personally and warmly greet their pastor.
Earlier, shortly before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Elpidios of Perth, on behalf of the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, and Protosyncellus Christoforos, on behalf of the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese, delivered heartfelt addresses to the Archbishop.
Both expressed the gratitude of the faithful of the local Church for Archbishop Makarios’s sacrificial ministry and contributions, offering prayers for his health, longevity, and continued strength in the God-loving work he performs.
The Archbishop, visibly moved, sincerely thanked the speakers for their words of respect and appreciation, as well as for their warm wishes.
He extended his gratitude to all those present, including the Hierarchs, clergy, and faithful, acknowledging their vital role in the progress of the local Church. He also expressed pride in the associates and the flock entrusted to him by God.
“I thank God for guiding my steps in this blessed province,” he remarked, affirming his commitment to continue striving with all his strength to further the work and mission of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
In conclusion, he urged everyone to uphold and strengthen the spirit of harmony and unity within the Church, echoing a poignant statement from the address of Protosyncellus Christophoros: “Unity with the Archbishop means unity with the Church, unity with the Church means unity with Christ, and unity with Christ means salvation.”
