On Sunday, February 9, at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney, the Sacrament of Holy Unction was celebrated by Archbishop Makarios of Australia to mark the beginning of the new year of activities for the Greek Orthodox Network of Australia for Pastoral Ministry in Healthcare.
The Archbishop was joined by six priests, following the liturgical order of the Sacrament, while other clergy and laypeople, many of whom are members of the Network, were also in attendance.
All present had the blessing of venerating a relic from the venerable hand of Saint Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea, a distinguished Hierarch, Physician-Surgeon, and Confessor of the 20th century.
Following the conclusion of the Sacrament, Archbishop Makarios first expressed his gratitude to the coordinators of the Network for their pastoral ministry in the healthcare sector, including the National Coordinators, Father George Liangas and Presvytera Aikaterini Konstantinidou. He noted that this initiative of the Orthodox Church, which began just a year ago, has already expanded across Australia, organizing liturgical gatherings, seminars, conferences, and online workshops.
The Archbishop also thanked the clergy and healthcare professionals who attended the service. Reminding everyone that human beings are psychosomatic entities, he emphasized that health is not merely the treatment of physical illnesses but the provision of holistic care, including spiritual well-being. “Such holistic care can only be achieved through Jesus Christ,” he underscored.
Finally, the Archbishop expressed his deep optimism for the future of the Greek Orthodox Network of Australia for Pastoral Ministry in Healthcare. He offered his blessing to all those dedicated to serving others and reminded them that every person is worthy of their care, without conditions or discrimination.
The Greek Orthodox Network of Australia for Pastoral Ministry in Healthcare operates as a branch of the corresponding Network under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Through this initiative, clergy, presvyteres, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals collaborate to integrate the spiritual, medical, and psychological aspects of healthcare, aiming to enhance patient care and contribute to the Church’s salvific mission.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
