“The source of our strength should be Jesus Christ”, underlined in his sermon Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who, on the day of the feast of St. Catherine the Great Martyr, officiated at the namesake Holy Temple in the suburb of Mascot, Sydney. “Let us receive strength from Jesus Christ, so that we can overcome all the difficulties and all the trials that torment us”, the Archbishop urged the faithful, reminding that in the same way the Saints of our Church drew strength, who endured great trials and horrible torments.
Focusing on the example of the venerated Saint Catherine the Great Martyr, the Archbishop briefly described the tortures she suffered and noted that in her sacred images she usually appears holding the cross in her right hand. “This is the answer to all those who wonder how the Saint showed so much patience, where she found so much courage, where she found so much faith. The cross was the source of St. Catherine’s strength,” the Archbishop stressed.
Christians today may not be called upon to experience martyrdom, like those experienced by St. Catherine, but “we are called today, in one way or another, to go through other wheels, which sometimes are most torturous”, Archbishop Makarios remarked, referring to the physical or mental illnesses, the mental disorder, the separations and the trials that generally affect human relationships. “All these are wheels that torment humans, as the wheel tormented St. Catherine,” the Archbishop said, emphasizing that we are called to follow the example of St. Catherine, who knew where to find solace. “Instead of orienting ourselves and wasting our time, seeking to find strength and courage in doors that have absolutely nothing to give us, we should do what St. Catherine did,” Archbishop Makarios urged. “Let us turn to the cross of Jesus Christ,” he added, “to love Christ and receive strength from Him, so that we can overcome all the difficulties and trials that afflict us.”
It is worth noting that on the occasion of his presence in the celebrating parish of St. Catherine, Archbishop Makarios awarded a man who has selflessly dedicated himself to serving the needs of the parish for more than four decades. The 40-year-old cantor of the Holy Temple, Christos Rossidis, to whom the Archbishop awarded the Cross of St. Andrew, as a sign of honor, love and expression of his gratitude for all he has offered to the parish and the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Speaking about the honored person, he said, among other things: “For many years he has been serving his church with a lot of devotion, with a lot of self-denial, without ever claiming any financial benefit. For so many years he kept the parish’s choir with effort, with sacrifice, devoting his time. And, above all, what he did he did with his heart. To say a thank you to our dear Christos is not enough”.
Finally, the Archbishop praised the work, which is performed in this very blessed, as he characteristically noted, parish, and congratulated the Hierarchal Proistamenos of St. Catherine, Fr. Athanasios Giatsios.
