On Saturday, January 25, Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Vespers service at the Church of St. Nicholas in Havana, accompanied by Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, as well as Bishops Athinagoras of Myrina and Timotheos of Assos.
Before a large congregation and in the presence of the Cuban government representative, Leira Sánchez Valdivia, Archbishop Makarios addressed the 20th anniversary of the inauguration of the Church of St. Nicholas. He is visiting the Caribbean island nation to mark this occasion, representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Mother Church of Constantinople.
He characterized the Orthodox Church, located in the historic center of Havana, as “a symbol of love and respect from the Cuban people and its emblematic leader, Fidel Castro, toward the Orthodox Church and our Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
It is worth noting that the church’s establishment and inauguration coincided with the historic visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Havana in 2004.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia highlighted the spiritual privilege and blessing enjoyed by Orthodox faithful in Cuba through their connection to the Great Church of Constantinople.
“The Ecumenical Patriarchate is synonymous with the Orthodox Church, and no Orthodox Christian—whether Russian, Serbian, or Arab—can envision the Orthodox Church without the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” he emphasized.
Focusing on the missionary role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, dating back to the time of Saint John Chrysostom, he stated that “wherever it goes, it respects the uniqueness and identity of each people.”
He further noted, “It honors the language, customs, and traditions of every nation, seeking only to enlighten people so they may live in love, peace, and unity.” Archbishop Makarios concluded by underlining the importance of sharing both material and spiritual goods, fostering harmony and mutual support among all.
At this point, noting the prevalence of isolation in modern times and identifying depression as the greatest illness of the world, Archbishop Makarios emphasized the need for a spiritual connection with our neighbors.
“Today, people suffer because they cannot find someone to open their hearts to and share their pain,” he remarked, adding, “When the Orthodox Church invites us to share everything, it means sharing our time, energy, and strength. It is crucial for someone to offer a smile to their neighbor —a smile that costs nothing but is, in the end, invaluable.”
Concluding his speech, the Archbishop expressed his heartfelt love for the people of Cuba, extended the wishes and blessings of the Ecumenical Patriarch to all, and wished the local Shepherd, Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, a successful and prosperous tenure, fulfilling the high expectations of the Mother Church and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
