Archbishop Makarios of Australia went to the Church of Saint Paraskevi in the suburb of Blacktown, Sydney, on Sunday, 26 July, when the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Holy Virgin Martyr Paraskevi. He officiated the Orthros and presided over the Archieratical Divine Liturgy.
In his homily, the Archbishop of Australia spoke of the life and personality of the Saint, focusing in particular on the fact that her parents were two good and pious Christians who raised her to love and serve the Lord.
He then wondered if modern Christians follow the example of the parents of Saint Paraskevi and expressed his concern that parents of our time have presumably other priorities in relation to the raising of their children. “I have the feeling that many times our children ask for bread but we give them stones,” he said.
He then urged parents, along with the other goods that they strive to provide for their children, not to forget to talk to them about Christ. “Because Christ is a very precious treasure that can help and support the new generation,” he stressed. “A world without the Gospel is like a jungle. That is why, my dear ones, we should focus on the new generation and talk to our children about Christ,” he added.
Finally, he said that parents should not approach children by pressuring them or treating them in a condescending or preaching manner. “Let us speak to them with humility, with a sweet voice and with love. Let us not to speak to them with words, but through our actions, our work, and our life.”
