The upcoming visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Australia will mark the culmination of the centennial celebrations of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia officially revealed the dates of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit during the cutting of the Vasilopita ceremony at the Church of St. Eustatius in Melbourne on January 4.
The confirmed schedule indicates the Ecumenical Patriarch’s second visit to Australia in nearly three decades, set to take place from October 4 to October 19, 2024. Archbishop Makarios emphasized the solemnity with which the clergy and people of the Holy Archdiocese will welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch.
In outlining the festivities planned throughout the current anniversary year, the Archbishop detailed a diverse program spanning all States and Territories of Australia. He underscored that the celebration of the Holy Archdiocese’s centenary stands as a significant milestone in Australian society. “Our Archdiocese’s century aligns with the history of our state,” he remarked, highlighting the pivotal influence of Greeks on the region’s history through their presence, ‘philotimo’ (sense of honor), hard work, and progress. He emphasized that the Archdiocese’s history intertwines with that of the nation.
Amid acknowledging the ongoing struggles in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East plagued by conflict, the Archbishop urged continued prayers for global peace. Additionally, he stressed the importance of inner peace, the tranquility of the soul, as essential for devout Christians. Concluding his address, he extended a wish and encouragement for the new year: “May we advance united and bound in love, fostering peace, mutual understanding, forgiveness, and placing the Church and Christ at the forefront of our lives.”
The event was attended by Bishops Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Evmenios of Kerasounta, Archiepiscopal Vicars of Melbourne and Northcote respectively, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Nikolaos Archontonis, the Ecumenical Patriarch’s brother, alongside numerous clergy and faithful from Melbourne. Bishop Kyriakos and Consul General Kakavelakis offered brief New Year greetings, welcoming Archbishop Makarios during his three-day pastoral tour in Victoria on the occasion of the Holy Epiphany celebrations.
Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas