“Hellenism lives on and continues to flourish here in distant Australia, and as long as our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Ecumenical Patriarchate remain present on these lands, as long as the Orthodox priest celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Greek language, Hellenism has a future, and we fear nothing.”
Archbishop Makarios of Australia delivered this resounding and optimistic message as he welcomed Greece’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Dendias, at the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia in Sydney on Thursday, 16 July.
On the occasion of Mr. Dendias’ visit, a Doxology service was held in his honour at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. His Eminence was joined by Their Graces Bishops Evmenios of Chora and Athenagoras of Canberra, members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, as well as Auxiliary Bishops Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint George in Yellow Rock; Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod; and Christophoros of Kerasous, Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese.
Also in attendance were Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Stavros Venizelos; Greece’s Consul General in Sydney, Mr. Georgios Skemberis; New South Wales Minister for Finance Ms. Courtney Houssos, representing the Premier of New South Wales, Mr. Chris Minns; clergy members; the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Messrs. Nikolaos Papanastasiou, Efstathios Kondylios, and Theodosios Penklis; as well as presidents and representatives of organisations, institutions, parishes, and communities of the Holy Archdiocese.
In his address, Archbishop Makarios further emphasised that “the heart of the Greek diaspora beats strongly here in Australia, and every one of its beats cries out ‘Greece’ and ‘Romiosyni’.” He noted:
“We love Australia,” he said, “because it is our home; because it welcomed thousands of Greeks during the difficult years of immigration; because it offers us all the blessings of God. Yet we have never forgotten Greece. On the contrary, we preserve our customs and traditions, our heritage and our language, and with pride we raise the Greek flag in every corner of the Fifth Continent.”
In his response, Greece’s Minister of National Defence expressed warm words of appreciation, congratulating Archbishop Makarios on the invaluable work he carries out for the benefit of the Greek community of Australia.
“It is a great joy and a healing experience for my soul to see, under your leadership, the Hellenism of Australia united,” Mr. Dendias stated at the outset. He also thanked His Eminence “for the tremendous effort he makes to maintain the Greek diaspora in close connection with the Motherland, Greece.”
Furthermore, Mr. Dendias acknowledged the enduring and foundational contribution of the Church throughout the history of Hellenism and highlighted its decisive role, particularly within the Greek diaspora. He also expressed his admiration for the iconography of the Holy Cathedral and his deep emotion at seeing, upon his entrance, the Greek flag and young Greek Australians dressed in the traditional uniforms of Evzones and Macedonian Fighters.
At the conclusion of the Doxology service, Archbishop Makarios bestowed upon the distinguished visitor the highest honorary distinction of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia: the Order of the Philochristoi (Friends of Christ), with Star, as a sign of recognition for his service to his homeland and to Hellenism throughout the world.
Presenting the personality, political career, and work of the honoured guest, Archbishop Makarios stated, among other things:
“We are particularly pleased that, in these turbulent times, the defence of Greece is in strong and responsible hands, and this is demonstrated by your actions and your dedication. We rejoice wholeheartedly because, in every position to which the Motherland and the Greek people have called you to serve, you have proven yourself and fought with zeal, selflessness, and sacrifice for the common good and for our national interests.”
Following the Doxology service, Minister Dendias held a private meeting with Archbishop Makarios at the Archbishop’s Office. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of mutual interest regarding the advancement of the interests of the Greek nation (Genos) and the Church.
At the Archbishop’s Office, the customary exchange of gifts also took place, followed by a luncheon in honour of the Minister in the hall of the Apostle Andrew Theological School.
