Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of St. Paraskevi in Brisbane on Saturday, July 18, as part of his three-day pastoral visit to the capital of Queensland.
During the Divine Liturgy, and concelebrating with Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, the Archbishop ordained Deacon Theophylaktos Loizou to the holy priesthood. The newly ordained priest will serve as parish priest of the Parish of St. Paraskevi in Brisbane.
Addressing the ordinand with paternal advice, Archbishop Makarios observed that the greatest failure and spiritual decline of modern humanity is the loss of trust in God.
He explained that when a person loses trust in God, one of two things happens: either they place themselves in God’s position, believing they can accomplish everything on their own, or they fall into despair, where everything appears futile and meaningless, life loses its purpose, and every prospect seems destined to fail.
Continuing his address, Archbishop Makarios noted that Fr. Theophylaktos had thus far lived his life with trust in the will of God, and that it was God who had guided his steps to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
“He has brought you to this safe harbor because you chose neither the path of trusting only your own will and yourself, nor the dark road of despair, but the way of life—that is, trust in Christ,” the Archbishop said.
As Fr. Theophylaktos embarked on a new stage of his spiritual journey through his ordination to the priesthood, Archbishop Makarios reminded him of the responsibility every priest bears to become an example of a life shaped by the Cross.
“The notion that the priesthood is an office of glory and honor is an illusion that distorts its true meaning, reducing it to the level of an ordinary profession and turning the clergyman into an employee—indeed, one of poor quality and diminished commitment,” he stressed.
Addressing the newly ordained priest personally, the Archbishop recalled his monastic formation and his years spent under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol.
“From your youth you embraced the monastic life and lived alongside virtuous men, such as your Elder, Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol, a beloved brother, concelebrant, and friend. In the monastery you learned, through the communal life, what it means to live a life of sacrifice and self-denial for the sake of your brother. That is why I rejoice today that God has deemed you worthy of this great gift of the priesthood, for I am confident that you will honor your ministry and that your priestly life will be ‘a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God’ (Romans 12:1),” he said.
Concluding his homily, Archbishop Makarios encouraged the new priest to serve the Parish of St. Paraskevi with zeal, working in close cooperation with the parish president and parish council, while devoting particular attention to the spiritual growth of the faithful, the liturgical life of the parish, and the pastoral care of young people.
He also urged him to work harmoniously with Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, whom he praised for “striving tirelessly for the progress of the Diocese.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios also appointed Fr. Theophylaktos as a confessor, encouraging him to hear confessions with love, compassion, and pastoral discernment, making use of the Church’s principle of oikonomia whenever appropriate.
Following the dismissal, the newly ordained priest received the congratulations and prayerful wishes of the clergy and faithful for a blessed and fruitful priestly ministry.
A reception was subsequently held at the parish hall. Archbishop Makarios later visited the offices of the Diocese of Brisbane, where he met with local civic and community representatives, as well as a number of catechumens.
