Repeating the exhortation of the Apostle Paul: “Let us pursue what leads to peace”, Archbishop Makarios of Australia, calls for an end to violence and bloodshed in the Holy Land, while declaring the solidarity of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which unceasingly defends and seeks dialogue, reconciliation, and peace.
In a statement on the sad events that have been taking place in the Middle East in recent days, Archbishop Makarios said:
“Grief unspeakable has gripped the hearts of all of us in the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, as we witness the horrific events of violence which have taken place in the Holy Land over the last twenty-four hours. Sadness is unspeakable as we reflect that the places where our Lord Jesus Christ walked, teaching love, peace, and respect for one’s neighbor, have been transformed, once again, into a “theatre” of violent conflict and bloodshed.
Naturally, our thoughts go first and foremost to the victims of this new cycle of violence, especially the civilian population on all sides, and we pray that God will strengthen the families of the bereaved and those who are still experiencing moments of anguish and uncertainty at the center of the deadly conflicts.
We further pray that all hostilities in the Holy Land will cease as soon as possible, asking the Lord to enlighten the minds and spirits of the leaders of the warring sides, as well as the powerful of the earth, so that their decisions and actions will be guided by the pursuit of peace.
Repeating the imperative of the Apostle Paul: “Let us pursue what leads to peace”, we raise our voice from distant Australia to join that of the Mother Church and our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who has ceaselessly extolled the value of dialogue, reconciliation, and peace between people, peoples, and religions.”