“There is so much beauty in the world around us. But in order to see it, we must have peace within ourselves. If we do not have peace within us, we see everything as disordered and ugly.” With words of paternal concern, and taking his inspiration from the concluding verse of the Gospel reading of the day — “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (Jn 3:17), Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who on Sunday, 13 September, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Pilgrimage Church of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill, Victoria, appealed to the large number of pilgrims to strive to abstain from the passion of judging others.
“Do not allow judgement, condemnation, gossip, bitter comments and hatred to take possession of your heart,” he urged, adding: “For if your heart does not have peace, you will never be able to see the beauty that exists in the world.”
Archbishop Makarios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Pilgrimage Church of Panagia Kamariani on Sunday morning, at the culmination of the festivities organised for the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Concelebrating with him were Their Graces Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Evmenios of Chora, while Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis attended prayerfully. Also present were the Consul-General of Greece in Melbourne, Ms Dimitra Georgantzoglou; Federal Member of Parliament Ms Zoe McKenzie MP; State Member of Parliament Mr Anthony Marsh MP; and Archon of the Great Church of Constantinople Mr Tony Tsourdalakis.
Preaching the Holy Sermon, Archbishop Makarios referred to the venerable person of the Panagia, the Mother of God; to Saint Cornelius the Centurion, whose memory is commemorated on that day; and to the great Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. In particular, speaking about the Precious Cross, he observed that many people consider the cross they bear to be a heavy one. “We must not forget that Christ never sends us a cross that we are unable to bear,” he noted, continuing: “The cross which Christ sends us is made precisely according to our measure. Therefore, we must not complain beneath its weight. As Saint John Climacus says, the Christian must carry his cross not passively, but actively — that is, with joy.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios tonsured Mr Dimitrios Kakavas as a Reader, exhorting him not merely to study, but to experience and live the hymns which he chants in the Church.
Archbishop Makarios also congratulated the Parish Priest, Archimandrite Irinaios Koikas, for the ministry he carries out at the Pilgrimage Church in Red Hill and for his tireless efforts toward its continual development.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the annual Festival of the Parish of Panagia Kamariani commenced, attracting thousands of visitors and featuring live Greek music, traditional Greek dancing, traditional foods from the homeland, and activities for children.
