In an interview with Aparchi, Archbishop Makarios of Australia reflected on his four-year tenure, the challenges faced by the Orthodox Church in Australia, and his pastoral mission.
He emphasized the importance of preserving Orthodoxy in a multicultural society, ensuring that its witness remains one of love, peace, and truth. He also addressed the tension between maintaining Greek identity and integrating English-speaking faithful, revealing that under his leadership, the Archdiocese has established English-speaking parishes while keeping the Greek-speaking ones intact.
Archbishop Makarios praised the Greek community in Australia, describing them as deeply faithful and committed to their traditions. He highlighted secularization as a major pastoral challenge, mentioning that in states like Victoria, new laws conflict with Orthodox practices, such as mandatory reporting of confessions and controversial post-birth abortion legislation.
On global Orthodox affairs, he condemned the Russian Church’s expansionist policies, calling them a secular, fabricated, and even demonic deviation from canonical Orthodoxy. He reaffirmed that no war is justified in Orthodox theology, criticizing the involvement of religious leaders in conflicts.
Discussing modern challenges like social media, isolation, and artificial intelligence, he stressed that the Church must offer true joy and hope, guiding people to spiritual fulfillment. He concluded by urging believers to live the life of the Church, love Christ without seeking sainthood, and refrain from judgment.
