On Saturday, June 29, during the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Stylianos in Gymea, Sydney. The service marked the celebration of the left aisle of the Church. The Archbishop was warmly welcomed by Fr. Konstantinos Varypatis, the Hierarchical Head, who conveyed the parishioners’ love and respect for their Shepherd and congratulated him on his five years in Australia.
“We thank you for the love you show to all of us, for your sacrificial ministry, and for the valuable spiritual guidance you provide,” said Fr. Konstantinos. Following his speech, the youth of the Parish presented Archbishop Makarios with a commemorative gift to celebrate the joyful day of his enthronement.
In his response, Archbishop Makarios expressed his gratitude for the love shown to him and emphasized that all positive and beneficial achievements in the Orthodox Church come from the unity and cooperation of its members—Archbishops, Bishops, clergy, deacons, and the faithful—all working for the glory of God. “That is why we are called upon to be united,” he said, “otherwise, we will not be able to walk towards salvation.”
The Archbishop then delved into the gospel and apostolic readings of the day, focusing on the trials, hardships, and sufferings endured by the Apostles in spreading the teachings of Christ. He noted that of the Twelve Apostles, only Saint John the Theologian did not die a martyr’s death, though he also faced significant suffering during his life.
Citing Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Archbishop Makarios highlighted the Apostle’s stoic recounting of his painful trials, framing them as an inevitable part of life. He elaborated on the phrase “for my soul is perfected in weakness,” underscoring that secular pursuits such as power, money, fame, and recognition hold no true value. Instead, he conveyed Apostle Paul’s message that “we are completed and become strong when we pass through the furnace of trials.”
Drawing from the Gospel passage, the Archbishop also discussed the issues of canonical priesthood and apostolic succession, wishing the faithful the blessings of the First Apostles and encouraging them to emulate their love and zeal for Christ. “May our life be full of zeal, not for the things of the world, which are perishable and ephemeral, but for the honest, the holy, and the blessed,” he urged.
The service was attended by Bishops Iakovos of Militoupolis and Bartholomew of Charioupolis, who were present at the Holy Altar.
