“Keep Jesus Christ at the center of your life. In everything you do, remember Christ,” Archbishop Makarios of Australia warmly urged the children of the Catechetical Schools of New South Wales during his address at a commemorative event marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of this blessed institution.
The anniversary celebration took place on Sunday, December 14, at the Sports and Performing Arts Centre of St Spyridon College in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra. Approximately 500 children from the Catechetical Schools participated, beautifully presenting hymns and songs, as well as theatrical performances depicting the life of Christ and the patron Saints of their parishes.
In addition to Archbishop Makarios, the event was honored by the presence of Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebasteia; the Chorepiscopi of Perth, Bishop Elpidios; Adelaide, Bishop Silouan; Melbourne, Bishop Kyriakos; and Brisbane, Bishop Bartholomew. Also in attendance were the Auxiliary Bishops: Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Abbot of St George Monastery, Yellow Rock; Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Arch-Secretary of the Holy Provincial Synod; and Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese, as well as the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr George Skemberis.
In his greeting, Archbishop Makarios outlined the sacred mission of the Catechetical Schools, emphasizing that they are not merely places where children learn stories from the Holy Scriptures. “They are also places where you learn how to live as children of God,” he noted. “How to pray. How to forgive. How to love Christ with all your heart.”
The Archbishop also paid tribute to those who pioneered and developed the Catechetical Schools in New South Wales, expressing the gratitude of the local Church. He made special reference to the late Archpastors of Australia, Theophylaktos, Ezekiel, and Stylianos; to Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Fr Stephanos Pantanassiotis, who led this missionary work of the Archdiocese; and to the former President of the Christian Union, Professor Michael Antoniadis, who contributed with fervent zeal to the success and fruitfulness of this endeavor. He also thanked the current President, Mr Ioannis Psaromatis, Mr Stylianos Magdalopoulos of the Archdiocese, and all catechists for their dedicated service.
Concluding his address, Archbishop Makarios encouraged the children to experience the upcoming feast of Christmas in a deeply spiritual way, assuring them that the joy born from the coming of Christ and His presence among us surpasses all worldly pleasures. Christmas, he observed, is a time of great rejoicing “not because we give gifts, eat, and see our friends, but because Christ was born. And when Christ is present, there is joy and an inner fullness that far exceeds any temporary delight. His coming into the world, His Incarnation, marks the beginning of our return to Paradise. It is a wonderful gift that fills us with joy, a joy in which He desires all of us to share, each and every one of us, without exception.”
Photos: MK Creative Photography & Designs / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
