With the words of the Apostle Philip, “Come and see,” Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed participants to the Open House of St. Andrew’s Theological College in Sydney, which was held online via Zoom on Wednesday, December 4.
The Archbishop, who also serves as Dean of the Theological College, delivered a heartfelt address to prospective students for the new academic year. His central message was an invitation to “come and see,” echoing Philip’s words to his friend Nathanael about encountering Christ. “We are here with you this evening, inviting you to ‘come and see,'” the Archbishop said, “in the hope of sharing with you the joy of studying theology, and in the desire to take you by the hand and lead you into the very presence of Jesus Christ. This, after all, is the ultimate goal of theological study – to encounter Christ and, as the Gospel tells us, to ‘enter into the joy of our Lord”.
He went on to underscore the profound role of Orthodox theology, emphasizing that its study is intended “to help reorient our souls toward Christ, so that we may experience the warmth of His love, the greatness of His mercy, and the expansiveness of His freedom. Citing the Apostles and Fathers of the Church, he emphasized that the ultimate goal, after striving to encounter Christ, is to dedicate our lives to “sharing this gift of eternal love ‘from a pure heart’ with those around us”.
Summing up his address, Archbishop Makarios emphasized that at the heart of the vision for St. Andrew’s Theological College is the desire to inspire its students to cultivate a daily love for Christ. “And as they are filled with the love of Christ,” he added, “we hope that they will allow that light within them to shine upon the world. This is true theology – a joyful lesson that is not only learned, but also lived and, above all, loved!”
During his address, the Archbishop also shared exciting news about the future of the Theological College. With great joy and emotion, he announced that next year, when the College celebrates its 40th anniversary, it will move into its own state-of-the-art facilities. He assured everyone that the Holy Archdiocese of Australia is fully committed to providing its theological students with specialized spaces and resources that integrate modern tools into traditional theological studies, such as digital libraries, virtual learning platforms, and advanced communication technologies.
The open house at St. Andrew’s Theological College was attended not only by prospective students but also by Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, Associate Dean Professor Philip Kariatlis, members of the faculty, current students, and alumni. Following the Archbishop’s address, Professor Kariatlis offered his greeting, and a short video of student testimonies was shown, sharing personal experiences. The Secretary of the College, Fr. Anastasios Kalogerakis, then presented the curriculum and provided detailed information on course options and content. The event concluded with a constructive discussion during which prospective students had the opportunity to ask questions.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
