By the Grace of God and with the prayers, blessings, and guidance of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, on Tuesday, 3 March of this year, the Holy Diocese of Adelaide convened a Priests Synaxis under the presidency of Bishop Silouan of Adelaide.
During its Session, the Priests’ Synaxis addressed the matters of the agenda, and among other undertakings, declared the following:
- With immense joy in the Lord and glory to God, the Priests Synaxis of the Holy Diocese of Adelaide congratulated the Rev Fr Konstantinos Skoumbourdis on his appointment as the Presiding Priest (Proistamenos) of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, Mile End.
- In a lamentable spirit of sadness, the Priests’ Synaxis expressed regret and concern at the public response of Mr Anastasios (Tom) Koutsantonis, a sitting member of Parliament, with respect to the appointment of Fr Konstantinos as Proistamenos. A response that has intensely heightened public reaction by creating misunderstanding and confusion within the community. At no time was the former venerable Proistamenos “ripped from us.” The Priests’ Synaxis expressed appreciation for Minister Tom’s civil stewardship but was emphatic in its plea for Mr. Koutsantonis to refrain from getting involved in the canonical and pastoral affairs of the Church.
The Priests Synaxis expresses its deepest respects to Archbishop Makarios of Australia and calls upon His holy prayers for the Holy Diocese of Adelaide, while extending its heartfelt wishes to all the faithful for a sacred and Christ-centred Great Lent, that is filled with repentance, light, and joy.
