“Let us be proud of our Orthodox faith”, this was the heartfelt message of Archbishop Makarios of Australia to the faithful who attended the Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in the predominantly Greek suburb of Marrickville, Sydney, on the morning of Sunday, October 5.
In his sermon at the conclusion of the Liturgy, which he presided over, Archbishop Makarios reflected on Christ’s commandment, “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:31–36), the Gospel reading of the day. He spoke of the three states of human life and relationships — “according to nature” (κατά φύσιν), “contrary to nature” (παρά φύσιν), and “beyond nature” (υπέρ φύσιν).
He explained that loving those close to us and those who have treated us kindly belongs to the “according to nature” state. When one fails to love their loved ones and benefactors, they fall into the “contrary to nature” condition. But when someone loves and prays for their enemy, they ascend to the highest state — the “beyond nature” one.
Observing that the command “Love your enemies” exists in no other religion, Archbishop Makarios stressed that it is a divine teaching, not a human one:n“It is something no human mind could conceive. No one could have thought of it unless He was truly both God and man, as Christ was.”
He concluded by saying: “Whenever I hear these words, I feel deeply proud to be Orthodox,” calling on the congregation to nurture the same pride in their Orthodox faith.
Concelebrating with Archbishop Makarios were Bishops Kyriakos of Melbourne, Eumenios of Charioupolis, Athenagoras of Canberra, and Christophoros of Kerasounta, together with Archimandrite Ignatios Mourtzanos, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos, and Archimandrite Irinaios Trialonakis, Parish Priest of St Nicholas, Marrickville.
Among the congregation were Lina Mendoni, Greek Minister of Culture, accompanied by her special adviser Anna Panagiotarea, Ambassador of Greece to Australia Stavros Venizelos, and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Theodosios Penklis, Secretary-General of the Archdiocesan Council, with his wife Marianna.
Archbishop Makarios warmly welcomed the presence of Minister Mendoni and Ms. Panagiotarea, praising their personalities, accomplishments, and contribution to public life. He described their visit as a great honor for the Archdiocese of Australia, and added: “We live in a time when, by general admission, charismatic personalities are rare at every level. Mrs. Mendoni is an exception to this rule — a person who brings a new tone, a new voice, a new color to the political leadership of our homeland. She works conscientiously, without a personal agenda, caring only for the progress of our nation. For that, we love and respect her.”
He recalled that the Archdiocese of Australia had already honored Minister Mendoni with its highest distinction, the Cross of the Order of Philochristoi.
Responding, Minister Mendoni expressed the Greek State’s gratitude toward the Greeks of the Fifth Continent, who preserve their love for their homeland and Orthodoxy in their hearts:
“You are the ones who make Greece great,” she said.
At the end of the service, Archbishop Makarios offered warm congratulations to Fr. Irinaios Trialonakis, recently appointed as Parish Priest of St Nicholas, describing him as a “blessed clergyman, gifted, zealous, and unifying in spirit.”
He expressed confidence that Fr. Irinaios will carry out his new mission faithfully and effectively.
In turn, Fr. Irinaios welcomed the Archbishop with “filial love and respect,” thanking him for his trust and assuring him of his complete dedication and obedience to the spiritual advancement of the parish.
