The proceedings of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia, which convened in extraordinary session from 28 July through to today, 30 July 2026, under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, have been concluded.
During its sessions, the Holy Synod considered the matters on the agenda and, among other things, adopted the following decisions:
a. It encourages the Christ-loving plenitude of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia to participate actively in the National Census, which will be conducted on 11 August 2026. In the Census, we must declare our ethnic origin and ecclesiastical identity. The message of the Holy Synod to everyone is that we should declare ourselves to be GREEK ORTHODOX.
b. A specific committee, chaired by the Archbishop, has been entrusted with drafting the Special Regulations provided for by the Constitution, namely: 1. Regulations for the Operation of the Synod, 2. Regulations for Ecclesiastical Justice, 3. Regulations concerning the Synodal Committees, 4. Regulations for the Enthronement and Funeral Services of the Archbishop and Bishops, 5. Regulations for the Clergy-Laity Congress, 6. Regulations for the Operation of the Archdiocesan Council, 7. Regulations for Church Architecture, 8. Regulations for the Operation of the Philoptochos Associations.
c. The Church of Panagia Kamariani in the Holy Diocese of Melbourne is to be designated a Pilgrimage Church. It was also determined that the Church of Panagia on Bribie Island, within the Holy Diocese of Brisbane, will celebrate its patronal feast on 8 September each year, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
d. The applications for the secondment of the clergy concerned were approved.
e. The requested canonical permission is granted by the Holy Eparchial Synod to Mr Sandy Symeonidis and Dr Andrew Mellas, Senior Lecturer at our Theological College, and members of the Direct Archdiocesan District, to preach the Divine Word in churches during the Divine Liturgy and other services and ceremonies.
Finally, observing the wider turmoil caused by wars, the Holy Eparchial Synod prays for the peace of the whole world and calls upon the faithful to pray for the cessation of wars everywhere. Moreover, in anticipation of the Dormition Fast, both the Archbishop and the members of the Holy Synod pray that the Most Holy Theotokos may protect the devout clergy and Christ-loving people of the Church in Australia, as well as all our fellow human beings who share with us the blessed land of the Fifth Continent.
