Archbishop Makarios of Australia paid a pastoral visit to the capital of Australia, Canberra, on Wednesday, April 12.
In the Church of St. Nicholas, the Archbishop performed the Sacrament of the Holy Unction and then theologically analyzed before the large congregation the importance and value of this Sacrament.
Among other things, he stressed that the Holy Unction “reminds us that when we suffer, whether physically, emotionally or spiritually, Christ is present, He is among us to give us strength and to face the challenges of life.”
Moreover, he discerned that the value of the Sacrament is not limited to an individual level, but is of interest to the whole Church. “When a member of the Church is sick, then the whole Church is sick,” he noted and added: “The more members are healed, the healthier and closer the Body of the Church is to the Kingdom of God.”
Earlier, the Archbishop was warmly welcomed by Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, Archdiocesan Commissioner of Canberra. The Bishop, in his warm address, thanked the Archbishop for his visit to the capital, despite his heavy schedule, as well as for the constant care, affection, and love he shows for all his reasonable flock and especially for the Greek Orthodox flock of Canberra.
The Archbishop assured everyone that they are constantly in his heart and mind, while he asked them to feel that the Archdiocese is their home and that the Archbishop is their father. He also wished them for the rest of the Holy Week and for the Holy Pascha, while he also conveyed the wishes and blessings of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Finally, the Archbishop welcomed the presence of the Ambassador of Greece in Canberra, Georgios Papakostas, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonios Sammoutis, and the President of the Parish–Community of Agios Nikolaos Canberra, Ioannis Loukadellis.
