The Archdiocesan Council of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia convened on Tuesday, 20 January, under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, and addressed the matters on the Agenda.
The Archiepiscopal Council, in its entirety, expressed its condemnation and revulsion at the unbecoming attack by the State Intelligence Services of the Russian State against the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Mother Church. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, under the enlightened leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, consistently fulfils its special mission for the stability, peace, and progress of the Local Churches, within the framework of the sacred Canons and Holy Tradition, far removed from political expediencies and calculations. The admonitions and threats of the Russian intelligence services should have another addressee, one who treads the slippery path of ethnophyletism, the subversion of Orthodox ecclesiology, and the destruction of the unity of the ecclesial Body.
The response of the Archdiocesan Council was enthusiastic to the proclamation of the current year by the Archbishop as the “Year of Patriarch Bartholomew”, and it unanimously decided to give the name “Patriarch Bartholomew” to all halls, buildings, and philanthropic institutions that will be erected and inaugurated in 2026 throughout the territory of Australia. The Archdiocesan Council also unanimously decided to participate in the celebratory events in honour of His All-Holiness, organised by the Holy Archdiocese of Australia in Constantinople this coming October.
With particular joy and satisfaction, the Archdiocesan Council welcomes the commencement of the new Master’s Programme in Greek Philosophy (Master of Greek Philosophy) at Saint Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College and offers congratulations for the School’s overall upgrading and progress, an achievement that demonstrates not only the practical care of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia for Greek Orthodox education and the cultivation of letters in Australia, but also its strong pastoral concern for the preparation of suitable personnel, clergy and laity, who will assist the work of the Church in the future.
Finally, the members of the Council extended heartfelt wishes to the celebrating Archbishop, and expressed their gratitude and doxology to God for the upward course of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Australia, thanks to the firm and inspired leadership of Archbishop Makarios.
