The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia has decided to “put the brakes” on clergy influencers, issuing a formal decision to send a circular letter to priests and monks under its jurisdiction with specific guidelines.
The Synod, whose proceedings concluded today, Thursday, April 16, discussed, among other matters, the fact that some clergy promote themselves on social media “as preachers and teachers.”
For this reason, it decided to send a circular to all clergy and monks of the Archdiocese of Australia with guidelines aimed at stopping the phenomenon of secularization, which “does more to expose than to promote the Church and its pastoral ministry.”
Read the announcement of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia:
The proceedings of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia have been concluded. The Synod convened from April 14 until today, April 16, 2026, under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, for its regular session during the Pentecostarion period.
The Holy Synod carefully examined the items on the agenda and reached the appropriate ecclesiastical and canonical decisions.
Among other matters, the Synod addressed the growing tendency of certain clergy to promote themselves as preachers and teachers on social media, seeming more eager to emulate the fame of modern “influencers” than to express genuine concern for the salvation of souls. The Synod emphasised that preaching and teaching are primarily and fundamentally the responsibility of the Bishop. For this reason, the Holy Eparchial Synod will issue a Synodal Encyclical to all clergy and monastics of the Archdiocese of Australia, providing specific guidelines to curb the secularisation of the Church and its pastoral ministry.
Finally, the Holy Eparchial Synod prays for peace throughout the whole world, and especially for peace in the hearts of all people, as we also beseech in every Divine Liturgy: “for the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls.”
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
