A Vespers service in honor of Saint Makarios the Great, whose feast day marks the name day of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, was held on the evening of Saturday, January 18, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios presided over the service, joined by Metropolitan Iakovos of Ireland, Bishops Elpidios of Perth, Silouan of Adelaide, Kyriakos of Melbourne, Evmenios of Chora, and Bartholomew of Brisbane, as well as Bishops Iakovos of Militoupolis and Christodoulos of Magnesia, who serves as the Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
Numerous clergymen from across Australia participated in the service, led by the Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese, Archimandrite Christoforos Krikelis of the Ecumenical Throne. Also in attendance were the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint George in Yellow Rock, Archimandrite Ieronymos of the Ecumenical Throne, and Archimandrite Eirinaios, a clergyman from Crete and a brother of the Holy Monastery of Saint George Epanosifi, the Monastery of Repentance of the Archbishop of Australia.
Among the faithful who attended the Vespers service and extended their well wishes to His Eminence were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, numerous Archons of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, as well as presidents and representatives of parishes, communities, organizations of the Holy Archdiocese, and diaspora organizations from across Australia.
During his speech, the celebrating Hierarch expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their honorable and moving presence, and extended a warm welcome to Metropolitan Iakovos of Ireland in the church.
He then spoke about the life and virtues of his patron, Saint Makarios, offering praise to God for deeming him worthy to bear the saint’s name and draw inspiration from his exemplary life.
He spoke about Saint Makarios as a great figure of the Church, one of the founders of Orthodox monasticism, known for his profound writings, prayers, and hymns.
“Saint Makarios lived a remarkable life and contributed significantly to the Church,” he emphasized, while highlighting two key aspects of the saint’s teachings
The first, he noted, is encapsulated in Saint Makarios’ famous words: “There is no other way to be saved except through one’s neighbor.” “This is a profound message for today’s world,” the Archbishop remarked, “where people often believe they are self-sufficient, autonomous, and that salvation is a purely personal matter.”
He added: “Our judgment will pass through the face of our neighbor. This truth should constantly resonate within us and guide our actions. Isolation in any form is not something that God blesses, nor is it a path that will open the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven to us.”
A second point of Saint Makarios’ teaching, presented and analyzed by the Archbishop, highlights the call for daily repentance and the seeking of God’s mercy.
The Archbishop explained, “When the Saint was asked what one should do if they had not sinned on a particular day, he responded that we must repent daily—not only for our sins but also for not being worthy of God’s love.”
Reflecting on this teaching, the Archbishop urged everyone to consider the countless gifts they receive from God each day and to examine whether they have truly appreciated them. He concluded his speech by encouraging the faithful to deepen their knowledge of Saint Makarios the Great, study his theological writings, and draw spiritual benefit in their journey toward God.
