On Sunday after Christmas, December 28, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated with ecclesiastical splendor at the Parish of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill, Melbourne, presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Joining in prayer were Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, and Bishop Eumenios of Chora. Among the hundreds of parishioners and pilgrims who filled both the interior of the church and its courtyard was the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Ms. Dimitra Georgantzoglou.
The festive atmosphere of the holy season was further enhanced by the appointment of three priests as Spiritual Fathers and Confessors, performed by Archbishop Makarios. Those entrusted with this sacred ministry were Archimandrite Fr. Irenaios Koikas, Parish Priest of Panagia Kamariani; Fr. Matthaios Papadopoulos, his assistant priest; and Fr. Dimitrios Drougkas, Parish Priest of Saint Athanasios in Springvale.
The entire congregation joyfully proclaimed “Axios” (“He is worthy”) for the clergy who undertook the responsibility of spiritual fatherhood. Addressing the faithful, Archbishop Makarios praised their dedicated service to the Church and their spiritual maturity. “They possess many gifts and virtues,” he noted, “they are devoted to their ministry and fully aware that all of us—clergy and laity alike—are not autonomous entities, but members of a great family called the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.”
At the same time, the Archbishop emphasized that spiritual fatherhood is not an honorary distinction but a profound responsibility. “They are called, with great patience,” he explained, “to devote many hours to listening to people’s sins and struggles—not only to hear them, but with the gift of discernment, to offer the appropriate remedies for every spiritual illness, so that each person who comes under their epitrachelion may leave joyful, comforted, and guided toward salvation.”
Offering paternal counsel to the newly appointed Spiritual Fathers, Archbishop Makarios stressed the importance of liberating people from guilt through the Sacrament of Confession. “Although we appear to live in an age of absolute freedom,” he observed, “people today carry many psychological burdens because they are filled with guilt.” He urged the priests to help people learn “the art of speaking,” so that they may open their hearts and unburden themselves, leaving Confession “with a light heart, free of guilt, complexes, and inner weight.” He acknowledged that while this ministry may seem simple, “it is in fact extremely demanding.”
Concluding his address, the Archbishop called upon the three clergy to serve with love, understanding, and the greatest possible compassion, expressing confidence in the spiritual fruits their new ministry would bear. He also commended Fr. Irenaios for his notable pastoral work as Parish Priest of Panagia Kamariani.
In response, Fr. Irenaios warmly welcomed the Archbishop, thanking him for his pastoral visit, paternal love, and ongoing support of the parish. “All these people you see here today,” he remarked, “have come not only because they love the revered person of the Panagia, but also to honor you, our Shepherd. We love you, respect you, and stand by you in every joy and every challenge of our Archdiocese.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, New Year greetings were exchanged, and in a spirit of unity in Christ, the Archbishop, hierarchs, clergy, and faithful joined together in chanting the New Year’s carols.
