On Thursday, September 25, a Doxology was celebrated at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney to mark the arrival of the Patriarchal Delegation and other distinguished guests of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and to celebrate the Second Pan-Australian Clergy Synaxis (September 29 – October 1, 2025).
Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, Abbot of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Pharmakolytria in Halkidiki, presided over the Doxology as the representative of the Mother Church and of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Also present in prayer on behalf of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia were Archbishop Makarios and the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod: Bishop Elpidios of Perth, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Bishop Evmenios of Kerasia, Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Bishop-elect Athenagoras of Canberra, and Bishop-elect Christophoros of Giresun. Also present were a delegation of clergy and faithful from Sydney. Among the invited hierarchs, clergy, and monastics present were: Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros; Metropolitan Grigorios of Cameroon; Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria; Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago; and Metropolitan Damaskinos of Aetolia and Acarnania. Also present were Archimandrite Ignatios Mourtzanos, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos; Hieromonk Chrysostomos, Elder of the Cell of Saint John Chrysostom of the Koutloumousian Skete on Mount Athos; and Patriarchal Deacon Photios Poulopoulos.
At the conclusion of the Doxology, Archbishop Makarios warmly welcomed all the distinguished visitors. He expressed his conviction that, with their wisdom and spiritual ethos, they would contribute greatly to the spiritual fruitfulness of the Second Pan-Australian Clergy Synaxis. “I am certain that this Synaxis will be successful and blessed,” he said, “not only because we have excellent and wise speakers among us, but also because we are accompanied and protected by the prayers of our Ecumenical Patriarch.” With emotion and gratitude, he recalled the Patriarchal visit to Australia in 2024, emphasizing that it was a milestone in the life of our Church. He continued: “It’s true that distance and various circumstances—small human weaknesses, distorted attitudes developed over decades, and disappointments—created indifference toward the Great Church and our venerable center. Yet the visit of our Ecumenical Patriarch dispelled and overturned all these things. Everyone, simply by beholding the Ecumenical Patriarch’s presence, understood the Great Church’s significance and the unbreakable bond that must unite us to it.”
The Archbishop also referred to the approval of the new constitution of the holy archdiocese, describing it as a “truly invaluable blessing for our local church, the fruits of which we are already beginning to witness.” He highlighted the establishment of six episcopal sees and the formation of the Holy Eparchial Synod in particular, describing these reforms as ones that “transformed our ecclesial outlook and our understanding of the Church’s structure, introducing us to a new spirit and a renewed vision of our journey. These changes resolved problems of many decades, tore down walls of estrangement and isolation, and granted us the optimism and strength necessary to continue the humble work of the Church.”
He continued speaking with joy and pride about the ecclesiastical ethos of the bishops and the high standard of the local clergy. In closing his address, he asked Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus to convey the heartfelt, filial greetings of the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia to the Ecumenical Patriarch. He also thanked the Metropolitan personally for his blessed visit to the fifth continent and noted that he has much to teach the bishops, clergy, and faithful of the archdiocese through his ethos. “In the life of the Church, there is truly a need once again to see the stature of the elder Hierarchs of the Phanar before us,” he remarked.
In reply, Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus first conveyed the Ecumenical Patriarch’s prayer and blessing, assuring all that, despite the great distance separating the Sacred Center from the Antipodes, “the bond remains strong and unbreakable. This great, populous, and spiritually vibrant Eparchy of the Throne—with its venerable shepherd, distinguished bishops, devout clergy, and faithful people—brings much joy to the heart of our patriarch, who is proud of you all and blesses you with paternal love.”
He further emphasized the important mission of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, which is not only to safeguard the Orthodox faith on the fifth continent and serve as guardian of the Greek language and Hellenic Orthodox traditions, but also “to preserve this inexhaustible spiritual treasure intact, to hand it on to future generations, and at the same time to share it generously with the whole of Australian society.” He expressed his conviction that this mission is being faithfully fulfilled and recalled the late metropolitans and archbishops who have shepherded the local church since its foundation. He spoke emotionally of his personal acquaintance with Archbishops Ezekiel and Stylianos and said that he retains fond memories of them.
At the same time, he praised the ministry of the current Archbishop, His Eminence Makarios. He noted that Makarios won the challenge of Australia because, although he succeeded the iconic Archbishop Stylianos, who shepherded this eparchy for many years and left his mark on all its aspects, Makarios distinguished himself from the beginning through his dynamism, spirit of unity, tireless work ethic, and far-sighted vision. “These six years have been a period of renewal for the Holy Archdiocese of Australia,” he added. “A new era has begun, in which past dysfunctions and difficulties have been resolved, and new, firmer foundations have been established for the future.” In closing his address, Metropolitan Apostolos conveyed to the Archbishop and the Holy Eparchial Synod the satisfaction and commendation of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
