On the evening of Friday, October 4, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived at Sydney International Airport.
He is on an official visit to Australia to preside over the celebratory events marking the centenary of this significant Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Throne on the fifth continent.
The airport was filled from early on with Orthodox Christians and Australian citizens of all ages, their eyes reflecting the fervent desire of their souls to welcome the First Hierarch of Orthodoxy and their spiritual father.
Leading the clergy and the faithful was Archbishop Makarios of Australia, surrounded by Bishops, and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia. Among the dignitaries participating in the grand welcome for the Ecumenical Patriarch at the airport were Australia’s Minister for Immigration, Mr. Matt Thistlethwaite, representing the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. Anthony Albanese, and the Minister for Workplace Relations and Health & Safety, Ms. Sophia Kotsis, representing the State Premier, Mr. Chris Minns. It is worth noting the particularly strong presence of representatives from both the Greek community and Australian media, reflecting the significant importance attributed to the historic visit of the Head of the Orthodox Church to the country.
At the moment of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s arrival, the gathered faithful expressed their excitement, many unable to contain their tears of joy and emotion. In unison, they chanted the praises of the Ecumenical Patriarch, while young Greek children in traditional attire offered him flowers.
Filled with emotions of joy and filial affection, Archbishop Makarios welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch “to his home,” initially emphasizing the historic nature of the moment and the blessing experienced by the faithful of the Archdiocese of Australia as they celebrate the centenary of the local Church with “one of the most recognized and charismatic religious leaders of our time.” “It is difficult to portray a leader, especially today when there is confusion between a leader and a commander. In the person of Patriarch Bartholomew, however, the role of a leader gains meaning and is embodied in its most noble and virtuous form,” emphasized His Eminence.
“On behalf of all, I welcome you to beautiful Australia, the land of contrasts and compositions, the country with the most differences and the most similarities with other peoples,” Archbishop Makarios said at another point in his address, continuing: “Welcome to a place that has rightly been characterized as a mosaic of cultures, languages, and beliefs. Welcome to the fifth continent, of which the Greek Orthodox faith and tradition is an integral part, having flourished and bearing spiritual fruits that I am sure you will have the opportunity to enjoy during your blessed apostolic visit. I welcome you and wish that all you see and experience during your stay in the most beautiful country in the world brings you joy and satisfaction and becomes indelibly etched in your memory and heart, just as, rest assured, the blessed moments of your presence here will be indelibly etched in the memory and hearts of our people. Your Holiness, we love you dearly. Welcome to Australia. Welcome to your home.”
“Today, under the Southern Cross, one of my deepest desires, nurtured for nearly 30 years, has been fulfilled – to see the Orthodox faithful of Australia, whom I love and have dearly missed,” responded the Ecumenical Patriarch, visibly moved. “Not a day has passed without my praying for your advancement and spiritual well-being,” he added, and continued: “Although Australia may be geographically the most distant province from our Sacred Center, you remain, now more than ever, closest to my heart.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch also referred to the centenary of the Archdiocese of Australia, gratefully remembering the pioneering immigrants who sowed the seeds of the Holy Gospel on the fifth continent, which they brought from their homelands. He made special mention of his visionary predecessor, the late Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII, who in 1924 “laid the foundations for the thriving Orthodox community we see today.” He expressed gratitude for the blessed country of Australia, which provided fertile ground for the cultivation and flourishing of Orthodoxy.
The warm and inspired response of the Ecumenical Patriarch also included a paternal exhortation “to courageously convey, especially to our beloved youth, the light of Christ’s love, illuminating the path for future generations and promoting a world where faith, hope, and Christian love prevail.” In this world, peace must not be absent, which is why the Ecumenical Patriarch concluded:
“Looking at the multitude of faces gathered here today, we see the reflection of God’s love in your warm welcome. It is a living confirmation that we are all created in the image and likeness of our Creator, called to live in harmony and peace. This is something we are all called to do, but most importantly, we must remember it while praying for peace among all people who are at war today, in Ukraine and the Middle East. Your pious souls and the harmonious and peaceful coexistence here are characteristics that we all admire from afar and are proud of. They constitute a substantial testimony of your devotion to the Mother Church of Constantinople, to our Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
It is noted that the Patriarchal entourage includes the Metropolitans Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, and Philotheos of Thessaloniki, the Grand Chancellor, Mr. Gregorios, and the Grand Ecclesiarch, Mr. Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office, the Patriarchal Deacon, Mr. Evlogios, Codifier of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Sister Iakovii, Abbess of the Holy Monastery of the Venerable Forerunner at Acritohori, the Archon Teacher of the Nation, Mr. Konstantinos Delikostantidis, Director of the A’ Patriarchal Office, and the Archon Teacher of the Church, Mr. Theodoros Yiangos, Professor at the Theological School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, along with Mr. Nikolaos-Georgios Papachristou, Director of the Patriarchal Office of Press and Communication, Mr. Themistocles Karanikolas, an employee of the Patriarchate, and Mr. Christos Archontonis, nephew of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
