Members of the New South Wales Judiciary, led by Chief Justice of the State Andrew Bell, along with Barristers and Law students, convened at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Sydney on Tuesday, February 6.
Their purpose was to mark the opening of the new Judicial Year in NSW and seek the blessings of the Orthodox Church.
Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis presided over the Doxology service, joined by Bishops Christodoulos of Magnesia and Bartholomew of Charioupolis, as well as Archimandrite Christoforos Krikelis of the Ecumenical Throne.
Among the dignitaries present were Fr. Nabil Kachab representing the Serbian Church, Ioannis Mallikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Eleni Peteinou, MP and shadow Minister of Finance and Sports NSW, and members of the Archdiocesan Council including Nikolaos Papas and Theodosis Penklis.
Following the service, Bishop Iakovos extended personal wishes to the attendees and conveyed the blessings of Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The Archbishop’s message emphasized the principles of compassion and justice, echoing Christ’s teachings to “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” These principles, Archbishop Makarios noted, form the foundation of the legal system, with judges and lawyers entrusted to uphold them, ensuring justice and protecting individual rights.
Furthermore, Archbishop Makarios highlighted Christ’s emphasis on mercy and forgiveness, urging legal professionals to prioritize understanding and reconciliation whenever possible, alongside the legal framework of litigation and punishment.
In closing, the Archbishop encouraged judges and lawyers to embark on the new Judicial Year guided by Christian principles, emphasizing respect for the inherent dignity and worth of every individual.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia / Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
