Amid an atmosphere of great joy, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Thursday, August 6, for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, at the Holy Church bearing that same name in Thomastown, Melbourne, within the Diocese of Chora.
The Eucharistic Assembly was presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who during the service performed the ordination to the Diaconate of Mr. Panagiotis Andrews, a graduate of St Andrew’s Theological College in Sydney, a family man and father of one child.
The Archbishop was flanked by Bishop Evmenios of Chora and Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, the parish priest of the Church, Fr. George Frangos, and other clergy, while Metropolitan Iezekiel of Derkoi was also present, concelebrating in prayer. Among the large congregation were Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Mr. Marios Kalogiannis and Mr. Antonios Tsourdalakis, together with students of St John’s Greek Orthodox College, Preston.
Before the ordination, the Metropolitan addressed fatherly words to the ordinand, noting at the outset that “the ultimate purpose of human life and existence is our transfiguration in Christ.” He observed that “the priesthood is, above all, a transformative power within a world that is spiritually adrift,” while making clear that the path toward the profound change of being that is a precondition for transfiguration in Christ is steep and difficult. He spoke, indeed, of “a bloody struggle to rise above our passions, our egotism, and our lower selves,” and told the ordinand: “You must be ready for this bloody struggle, and always keep in mind that the higher you climb the mountain of the Transfiguration, the more visible your life and conduct will become in the eyes of others, and the more you will be subject to scrutiny, criticism, and even accusation. Yet always keep your eyes fixed on Christ, who stands at the summit of the mountain, so that you never lose your bearings.”
The Archbishop went on to express his certainty that Christ would remain the steady and unshakeable compass of the new Deacon’s life. In support of this, he recalled that the ordinand had been raised in a devout Christian family, with a father who was an accomplished chanter, and that his childhood had been filled with the fragrance of incense and the sweet strains of Byzantine chant. He further noted that from a young age he had served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of the Panagia “Axion Estin,” and later at the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Saviour. “You were shaped and formed in faith in Christ from the very first day of your life,” the Metropolitan remarked, expressing his conviction that Fr. Panagiotis would prove to be a genuine servant of the Lord’s Vineyard.
In closing, Archbishop Makarios extended heartfelt thanks to the hierarchs who took part in the Eucharistic Assembly, making special mention of the local Bishop and spiritual father of the new Deacon, Bishop Evmenios, and warmly congratulated the parish priest, Fr. George, for his work in the Parish of Thomastown, which continues to contribute to its ongoing growth and progress.
For his part, the new Deacon, Fr. Panagiotis, spoke with words of gratitude toward all those who had supported him and contributed to his journey thus far, thanking his spiritual father, Bishop Evmenios, Bishop Athenagoras of Canberra, other clergy of the local Church, as well as his parents, relatives, and his wife, Taxiarchia. He also warmly thanked Archbishop Makarios, acknowledging, among other things, that “it was you who kindled within me the flame of the priesthood.” He concluded with a promise to serve with love, faith, obedience, and humility, devoted to his Shepherd and to the Holy Church of Christ.
