On Friday evening, January 16, Archbishop Makarios of Australia paid a visit to the celebrating Parish of Saint Anthony in Sunshine West, within the Holy Diocese of Chora.
The Archbishop presided at the Festal Great Vespers in honor of the memory of the Parish’s Patron Saint, Saint Anthony the Great. Concelebrating with him were the Bishops of Chora, Eumenios; Melbourne, Kyriakos; and Southern Madagascar, Prodromos (Patriarchate of Alexandria). The service was also attended by the Parish Priest, Fr. Dimitrios Katopodis, together with numerous clergy from the Holy Dioceses of Chora and Melbourne.
A large number of devout faithful gathered to honor the memory of Saint Anthony and to join in prayer with their Shepherd during his first pastoral visit to the Parish of Sunshine West. Among those present in the congregation were the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Antonios Sammoutis, and the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou.
At the conclusion of Vespers, Archbishop Makarios briefly outlined the historical background and development of monasticism following the cessation of persecutions against Christians.
“When the persecutions ceased,” he noted, “the Church was confronted for the first time with the temptation of comfort. An antidote had to be found in order to face this great trial. For the Orthodox Church does not align itself with ease or complacency; it is ascetical. The ethos of the Orthodox Church is ascetical, disciplined, and rooted in spiritual struggle.”
His Eminence stressed that Saint Anthony the Great was a pioneer and foundational figure of the monastic tradition, highlighting in particular the virtue of discernment that characterized him. He drew attention to the Saint’s ability to recognize the snares of the devil and to withstand his assaults, remaining unwaveringly committed to the truth proclaimed by the Church.
“The devil hates the truth and despises seeing a person filled with joy,” the Archbishop observed, among other remarks, urging all to remain steadfast and immovable in the truth of the Orthodox faith, following the example of Saint Anthony.
In concluding his address, Archbishop Makarios offered warm and fraternal words to the Bishop of Southern Madagascar, Prodromos. He spoke of a devoted missionary who lives and ministers under extremely challenging conditions, commending the God-pleasing work he carries out in the impoverished island nation of Africa for the benefit of the suffering flock entrusted to his care.
In his response, Bishop Prodromos expressed heartfelt gratitude both to the Archbishop personally and to the entire body of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia for their unwavering support of the missionary work being undertaken in Southern Madagascar.
“I am grateful first and foremost to God, and secondly to the love of the Archbishop and of all of you,” he said. “Through your love and support, we are witnessing a miracle in Southern Madagascar,” he added, noting that donations from the Orthodox Church in Australia ensure free access to education for thousands of children.
He further explained that, with the support of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, three schools have been built in Southern Madagascar. In the first two, which are already in operation, a total of 1,400 children are currently enrolled. “When one sees the eagerness some children show for learning and progress, yet the state is unable to provide such opportunities, one becomes doubly grateful to God, who opens hearts and inspires people to support our mission,” His Grace concluded.
