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“The Church of Christ radiates and shines.” With these words, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew captured the glorious and festive atmosphere that prevailed on the morning of Saturday, October 5, during the official Doxology marking his reception in Australia. The service was held at the historic Cathedral of the Annunciation, located in the “heart” of Sydney. The Doxology was preceded by the opening of the newly renovated church.
Both the interior of the Cathedral, the surrounding area, and the adjacent streets were filled with thousands of devout Christians who eagerly gathered to welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch, express their love and respect, and receive his blessing.
Upon his arrival, accompanied by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Ecumenical Patriarch was greeted with enthusiastic cheers and prolonged applause, while students showered him with rose petals to the sound of joyful bells.
The ceremony, held in honor of the historic apostolic visit of the Primate of the Orthodox Church to the fifth continent, was attended by the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Iason Fotilas, as a representative of the Greek Government. On behalf of the local Church, Archbishop Makarios was accompanied by Bishops and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
Also in attendance were Hierarchs and Clergy from the Patriarchal entourage, members of the Holy Clergy and Monastic Brotherhoods of New South Wales, Ambassadors and Consuls, Australian Ministers, MPs and Senators, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, Professors of the Theological School of St. Andrew, Presidents of Parishes and Communities, charitable Foundations, members of the Philoptochos Fraternities, as well as Directors, teachers, and students from various schools, among others.
Archbishop Makarios welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch into the church and noted that “the joy, gladness, and rejoicing of your spiritual children here in Oceania is truly Paschal and resurrectional, and their enthusiasm genuinely echoes the empty tomb of the Resurrection and the upper room of Pentecost.”
The Archbishop then briefly recounted the historical journey of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, mentioning each of his revered predecessors and noting that since 2019, he has endeavored to follow in their blessed footsteps—promoting peace, unity, reconciliation, healing of the wounded, restoration of the broken, and integration of the divided. In conclusion, he expressed his belief that the centennial journey of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia “has vindicated the decision of our Patriarchate to establish it, as over the past hundred years it has proven worthy of the expectations of the Mother Church of Constantinople.”
Archbishop Makarios also highlighted the interventions made during the renovation of the Holy Cathedral of Sydney, expressing optimism about the future of the local Church under the spiritual guidance and shelter of the Holy Center of Orthodoxy.
Afterwards, the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese both delivered remarks, praising the contribution of the Greek community and Orthodoxy to the Australian nation. In particular, Prime Minister Albanese announced the government’s practical support for the development plan of the Holy Archdiocese, which includes the complete renovation of its headquarters in Redfern, Sydney, the renovation of the Theological College of St. Andrew, and the establishment of a Museum of Hellenism in Australia. To this end, the Federal Government of Australia will provide $25 million in funding.
He then made extensive reference to the ecumenical responsibility and ministry of the Mother Church of Constantinople, emphasizing its role as the guardian and guarantor of the two-thousand-year Tradition of the Church.
“This good testimony, the legacy of the faith, the apostolic Tradition,” he noted, “has been preserved by the Holy Archdiocese of Australia from its foundation until today, as the chosen daughter of the Apostolic Ecumenical and Patriarchal Throne of Constantinople.”
After highlighting the significant contributions of the past shepherds of the fifth continent, he commended the leadership of the current Archbishop, “Makarios the Cretan, the wise and discerning High Priest, who is leading the Holy Archdiocese of Australia into its second century with great hope and high expectations.”
Concluding his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch spoke with emotion about his previous visit to the fifth continent nearly three decades ago. He remarked that, although many things have changed since then, one constant remains: “the love and devotion of the Greeks of Australia to the Great Church and the Motherland, their deep connection to the ideals and traditions of the Nation, and their enduring nostalgia for the sacred soil of their ancestors.”