Archbishop Makarios of Australia received a warm welcome today at the Presidential Hall by the President of Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos. Mr. Pavlopoulos congratulated Archbishop Makarios for his election at the Archiepiscopal Throne of Australia, wished him “power and success” and stressed the “great mission of the Archdiocese of Australia”, which, as Mr. Pavlopoulos said, “has many dimentions”.
“First of all, your mission is to support the Archdiocese of Australia and the large and creative Greek expatriates there. Secondly, to enhance the Ecumenical Patriarchate itself, in this difficult time, something that is extremely important for Orthodoxy in its entity”, said the President of Hellenic Republic.
From his point, Archbishop Makarios of Australia thanked President Pavlopoulos for his warm welcome adding that he takes his remarks “as a spiritual deposit by the First Ruler of my country”. “Did you know” continued Archbishop Makarios addressing Mr. Pavlopoulos, “that our role is not only religious but also national? Indeed, it is more national than religious, because we are aware that in our veins there flows the blood of heroes, who fought to defend our faith and the blood of saints, who were slaughtered and tortured for our Country and Faith. I am keenly aware of this”.
Archbishop Makarios added that “In Australia, I shall try to instill the enlivening spirit of the Ecumenical Patriarchate all over the continent”.
In concluding, Archbishop of Australia referred to the issue of Halki Seminary, asking the President of Hellenic Republic to “use every effort” for the reopening of the Theological School.
