Archbishop Makarios of Australia expressed his love, deepest appreciation and heartfelt wishes to the Former Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Stephanos Pantanassiotis, during his visit to the renowned Holy Monastery in the Mangrove area of New South Wales, on Friday, 27 December 2024, the feast day of Saint Stephanos, Archdeacon and Protomartyr.
His Eminence was welcomed by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Eusebios Pantanassiotis, the Brotherhood with him and Elder Stephanos who was celebrating his name day, while clergy of the local Church, monks and nuns, and a multitude of pilgrims were also present.
After the reception, a festive feast was offered by the hospitable brotherhood of the Monastery, during which the Archbishop had the opportunity to appropriately address the celebrating Former Abbot, wishing for God to grant him health, strength and longevity, with the intercessions of his patron, Saint Stephanos, and to express the grateful feelings of both himself personally and of the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, his co-bishops, the holy Clergy and the Christ-loving People of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
In particular, His Eminence described with emotion the long and multidimensional contribution of Elder Stephanos Pantanassiotis to the local Church, listing the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, the Greek Welfare Centre, as well as the monastery of Panagia Pantanassa in Mangrove, where he served as Abbot for a number of years and contributed greatly to its spiritual flourishing.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia concluded his address by expressing his grateful thanks to the elderly Former Abbot, while on the occasion of his name day, he offered him as a gift an icon of the Four Holy New Martyrs Aggelis, Manouil, George and Nicholas, who were martyred in Rethymno.
