A new presbyter was added to the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia on Tuesday, June 11. This is Fr. George Bryonis, who received the second degree of the priesthood through the venerable hands of his Shepherd, Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The ordination of Fr. George took place during the festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of Panagia “Axion Esti” in Northcote, Victoria. Sharing in the joy of the new presbyter were Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, Bishops Jacob of Miletoupolis, Silouan of Sinope, Eumenios of Kerasous, and Bartholomew of Charioupolis, a large number of clergy from the State of Victoria and a large number of faithful Christians, including the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanouil Kakavelakis, and the brother of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Nikolaos Archontonis, together with his wife, Aikaterini.
In his exhortation, Archbishop Makarios offered spiritual advice to Fr. George, urging him, among other things, to be “an example of forgiveness, patience and indiscriminate love for all. He expressed his confidence that the new presbyter would live up to the expectations of the Church, noting the happy coincidence of the ordination taking place on the feast day of the leader of the Orthodox Church, His All-Holiness Bartholomew. “I am sure that his example will inspire you, his personality will enlighten you, his gifts will serve as a calling for your own life, and his self-sacrifice, love, and goodness of heart will guide you,” he noted.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop once again referred to the venerable figure of the Ecumenical Patriarch and expressed the heartfelt wishes of the holy clergy and faithful people of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia: “Together, from the depths of our hearts, we wish and pray that his years may be many and blessed, that God may grant him strength and health, so that he may continue his honored patriarchal journey for the glory of Christ and the salvation of souls.”
Archbishop Makarios also extended greetings to Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, who was also celebrating his name day. He spoke warmly of the Bishop, emphasizing the great love and sincere respect he has for the Ecumenical Patriarch, and praised his humble and sacrificial service in every position and ministry entrusted to him by the Church. In response, Bishop Bartholomew thanked Archbishop Makarios for his example of love for the Bishops and clergy of the local Church.
Finally, the Archbishop acknowledged the presence of Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, who also responded appropriately, expressing his satisfaction with the continued progress of the Holy Archdiocese under the leadership of Archbishop Makarios.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
