On Monday, October 14, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Church of St. Eustathios at the headquarters of the Diocese of Melbourne, accompanied by Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The Patriarch was warmly welcomed by Bishop Kyriakos, the enthusiastic young students from Oakleigh Grammar School, their professors, and parishioners of Saint Eustathios, along with employees of the Diocese.
Protopresbyter Christos Dimolianis extended a heartfelt welcome on behalf of the parish. In response, Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his joy in revisiting the parish after 28 years, thanking Archbishop Makarios, Bishop Kyriakos, and the parish community for their warm reception.
At an official luncheon held in his honor, Bishop Kyriakos emphasized the importance of unity within the Church, explaining that true unity lies in communion with Christ and among the faithful. He described unity as a sacred duty and praised the Ecumenical Patriarch as a model of this unity.
In his address, the Patriarch urged the community to actively witness the universality of Orthodoxy and to preserve the customs, traditions, and language of their heritage. “These,” he said, “are not only the guarantees of the Greek Diaspora’s survival but also key to its spiritual well-being and progress.” He further encouraged the younger generation to remember their roots, stating, “A Greek is a citizen of the world, but he never forgets his faith, language, values, and traditions.”
The Patriarch’s visit reinforced the significance of maintaining strong cultural and spiritual ties within the Orthodox community, ensuring that these values continue to be passed on to future generations.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas