Archbishop Makarios of Australia, currently on a three-day pastoral visit to South Australia’s capital, presided over the glorious Feast of the Church of the Prophet Elijah Norwood in the Holy Diocese of Adelaide.
On the eve of the feast, Archbishop Makarios presided over the Great Vespers, and on the feast day, he led the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy.
The participation of the faithful in all worship events was massive and moving. Along with commemorating the Parish-Community’s Patron Saint, Prophet Elijah, three significant milestones of the local Church were also celebrated: first, the centenary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia; second, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Parish and the establishment of the Holy Temple; third, the founding of the Holy Diocese of Adelaide, by a recent decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
On this joyous occasion, the Parish-Community of Norwood and the Greek Orthodox community of Adelaide were honored by the presence of several distinguished guests, including the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson, accompanied by her husband Rob Bunten, the State Minister Anastasios “Tom” Koutsantonis, representing the Prime Minister of South Australia, the Federal MP James Stevens, and the State MP Cressida O’Hanlon.
Referring briefly to the life of the Prophet Elijah and highlighting his strong and steadfast faith during a time when the people of Israel had strayed from the path of God, the Archbishop urged the faithful to learn from Elijah’s example. He encouraged them to remain dedicated to the true God and to stay committed to the Orthodox faith and the traditions of their ancestors.
Thanks to this commitment, the pioneers of the Parish-Community of Prophet Elijah, with the blessing of the late Archbishop Ezekiel of Australia, began their sacred struggle in July 1959 to construct a Greek Orthodox church in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
Archbishop Makarios expressed gratitude to the pioneers of this effort and those who contributed in the following decades to the flourishing and progress of the Parish.
Finally, the Archbishop made special reference to the recent benefaction of the Mother Church to the Christian people of the fifth continent, highlighting the establishment of six new Dioceses and the election of their respective Bishops.
Expressing the deep gratitude of the local Church to the Ecumenical Patriarch, he underlined the importance of these decisions as the Holy Archdiocese of Australia embarks on its new centenary.
As he noted: “A century ago, a visionary Patriarch established our Holy Archdiocese, and a hundred years later, another visionary and Great Patriarch created the six Dioceses, structuring the administration and life of the local Church.
As we said during the Clergy-Laity Congress, “we are ready for the future.” We enter the new century with great courage and faith, bolstered by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has provided us with all the necessary support to move forward united and strong.”
He also extended his congratulations to the newly elected Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, wishing him a blessed and fruitful ministry as the first Bishop historically to bear the title and name of the “City of Churches.”
Archbishop met Governor of South Australia
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios had a brief meeting with the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson, in the adjacent area of the Parish-Community Museum. They engaged in a fruitful discussion on issues of common interest.
During the meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, the Archbishop thanked the Governor for her honored presence at a Greek Orthodox community event for the first time. He wished her strength and health to continue her work for the common good of South Australian society.
