On Tuesday, October 8, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, where he had the opportunity to admire the variety of wildlife from the fifth continent.
After touring the zoo, the Ecumenical Patriarch attended a lunch hosted in his honor by the Greek Welfare Centre of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, held in an adjacent dining area.
In his warm greeting to the organization’s contributors, he emphasized that “true and living faith in Jesus Christ is not a dry ritualistic duty, limited to the fulfillment of religious forms and ceremonies, but is active with the love of the heart, which is ignited by love for God and simultaneously for humanity, as these two are never separate.” He noted that this love-driven faith constitutes the driving force behind the contributors of the Greek Welfare Centre, which has been “a living testament to the Church’s love for our brothers and sisters for nearly half a century.”
Focusing on the multifaceted work of the organization of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, which extends beyond providing charity to a systematic and comprehensive approach to addressing the problems of our fellow human beings, he praised their contributions, especially during the pandemic. He highlighted the critical role of their 24-hour phone service for English and Greek speakers, which “was decisive in addressing depression and preventing many suicides.”
For the overall contributions and testimony of the Greek Welfare Centre, the Ecumenical Patriarch warmly congratulated Archbishop Makarios of Australia, under whose blessing and high supervision the organization operates, as well as its General Director, Mr. Stylianos Magdalopoulos, who “with a strong sense of responsibility, fear of God, selflessness, and dedication, provides his invaluable services and has overall command for the smooth and effective operation of the Centre.” However, as “nothing in the Church is the work of a single individual,” the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized the contributions of the dedicated staff and the numerous volunteers of the organization, congratulating them all wholeheartedly and expressing his thanks.
The patriarchal greeting concluded with praises and warm paternal wishes to all the contributors to the commendable work performed by the Greek Welfare Centre: “We are impressed, and we say this with utmost sincerity and without any intention of flattery, by the work being carried out here, not only for its scale but, more importantly, for its quality, breadth, sensitivity, and discretion with which all the actions of this welfare establishment of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia are surrounded. This is a reflection of pastoral care and sensitivity for the suffering fellow human being, who is made in the image of God. We once again congratulate you all from the heart, bless you fatherly and Patriarchally, and wish for you an abundance of grace and support from the Lord in your laborious and responsible work. Warm congratulations. May God bless your efforts!”
It is noted that, in addition to Archbishop Makarios, Director Mr. Magdalopoulos, and the staff members of the Welfare Centre, the lunch in honor of the Patriarch was also attended by the Metropolitans Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos and Theophilos of Thessaloniki, Chief Secretary Grigorios, and Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, as well as other members of the Patriarchal entourage and official guests.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
