The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia convened today, Thursday, October 2, 2025, for its regular October session under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The session opened with the inaugural prayer, after which the minutes of the previous Synod were ratified. Archbishop Makarios then warmly welcomed the Synod’s newest member, the recently ordained Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra.
Following this, the Synod appointed, upon the Archbishop’s proposal, the Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Amphilochios Papantoniou as Deputy Secretary, and the Archimandrite Eirinaios Trialonakis as Codifier.
A significant moment in the proceedings was the review of the recently concluded Second Pan-Australian Clergy Synaxis, which was hailed as a great success. The Synod expressed heartfelt congratulations and gratitude on behalf of the Local Church to the priests, monks, and nuns who traveled from across the continent, participating with exemplary conduct and valuable contributions.
The central theme of the Synaxis, “Social Media and the Priesthood”, offered participants an opportunity to reflect from an ecclesiastical perspective on the use of modern means of communication by the clergy.
The Synod extended special thanks to the distinguished speakers, both from Australia and abroad, who played a decisive role in the success of the gathering:
- Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros
- Metropolitan Grigorios of Cameroon
- Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria
- Metropolitan Damaskinos of Aetolia and Acarnania
- Archimandrite Ignatios Mourtzanos, Protosyngellos of the Metropolis of Larisa and Tyrnavos
- Hieromonk Chrysostomos, Elder of the Cell of Saint John Chrysostom on Mount Athos
- Patriarchal Deacon Photios Poulopoulos
With deep emotion, the Synod also expressed gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his recorded Patriarchal message presented at the Synaxis, as well as for dispatching a Patriarchal Delegation to the Fifth Continent, comprised of Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus and Patriarchal Deacon Photios.
The work of the Holy Eparchial Synod will continue tomorrow, Friday, October 3.
Source: Archdiocese of Australia
