On Friday, March 28, Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who is on a pastoral visit to Victoria, visited the Church of St. Charalambos in the suburb of Templestowe in Melbourne and presided over the Fourth Stasis of the Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos.
Metropolitan Ezekiel of Derby, along with Bishops Kyriakos of Melbourne and Evmenios of Chora, attended the service.
The attendance of the faithful was continuous, and among them was the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou.
At the conclusion of the solemn service, the Archbishop addressed the congregation, first highlighting the direct connection between the Salutations and the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
“In fact, the Annunciation in the Orthodox Church is celebrated six times,” he noted, listing the main celebration of this world-saving event (March 25) along with the five Salutations services, which are held on the Fridays of the first five weeks of Holy and Great Lent, during which the entire Akathist Hymn is chanted.
“Throughout the kontakion during the Service of the Salutations, we refer to the event of the Annunciation,” he recalled, and went on to analyze individual aspects of the events described in the Hymn.
At the same time, the Archbishop highlighted the deep respect and reverence that the Greek people have for the Most Holy Theotokos. “We love the Virgin Mary—but the Virgin Mary loves us too,” he emphasized. He offered a brief historical overview of the Greek nation’s journey to show that the Virgin Mary has always stood as a “champion general” by the side of our ancestors, strengthening and protecting them through trials and at every critical moment in history.
“If today we have a piece of free land called Greece, we owe it to the faith of our ancestors in Christ and in the Virgin Mary,” he underlined.
He concluded with a paternal exhortation: “Let us not forget the blessings of the Mother of God, nor how our ancestors fought to preserve their faith and traditions.” “And not only should we not forget,” he pointed out, “but we must also strive to be worthy of the great heritage we carry and the faith we received from our forefathers.” Then, truly, the Virgin Mary will continue to bless our Nation and all Greeks, wherever they may be.”
The Archbishop concluded his speech with warm paternal wishes to the faithful in anticipation of the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. He also warmly welcomed the presence of Hieromonk Fr. Christodoulos Kapetas from Mount Athos, who is currently in Melbourne, ministering the Mystery of Holy Confession.
“We feel great spiritual joy that you are among us,” said the Archbishop, “firstly because we love and appreciate you as a person, and secondly because in your presence we see the Holy Mountain, which is the ‘Garden of Our Lady,’ and we consider your being here a great blessing.”
Finally, Archbishop Makarios was addressed with heartfelt words by the Hierarchical Head of the Parish of Saint Charalambos, Fr. Elias Kentrotis.
In response, the Archbishop thanked Fr. Elias for his Christ-loving ministry and his contribution to the parish, praising his ecclesiastical ethos and dedication to the Church.
“May the Virgin Mary give you strength to continue your struggle for the glory of Christ and the salvation of souls,” he concluded.
