On Friday, April 11, Archbishop Makarios of Australia paid an official visit to the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, at her office in Athens.
During the warm and constructive meeting, the Archbishop congratulated Ms. Zacharaki on her recent appointment and conveyed the blessings and best wishes of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The discussion focused on issues concerning the Greek diaspora in Australia, highlighting the importance of preserving and strengthening the bonds between the Ministry of Education and the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and deepening their collaboration, particularly in matters relating to Greek language education and cultural heritage.
Minister Zacharaki expressed her appreciation for the multifaceted and impactful work being carried out by the Orthodox Church under the Archbishop’s leadership for the benefit of the Greek community in Australia. Archbishop Makarios, in turn, thanked the Minister—and through her, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Greek Government—for their continued interest and support for Hellenism abroad.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment to nurturing the spiritual, educational, and cultural identity of the Greek diaspora and fostering closer ties between Greece and its global communities.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
