Patriarch Bartholomew unveils new era for Australia’s Orthodox Church, commemorating a cen
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The Patriarch’s visit to Australia officially began on Saturday with a grand Doxology at the historic Annunciation of Our Lady Cathedral in Sydney. The ceremony celebrated both his arrival and the reopening of the recently renovated cathedral.
Thousands of faithful gathered inside and outside to greet the Patriarch and to receive his blessings. Archbishop Makarios, accompanied Patriarch Bartholomew, and they were met with cheers, applause, and schoolchildren showering him with rose petals as church bells rang.
The ceremony was attended by the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Jason Fotilas who is here representing the Greek government. Present were bishops, clergy, members of the patriarchal delegation, and numerous officials from Australia and Greece ambassadors and Australian politicians.
Archbishop Makarios welcomes Patriarch Bartholomew – the first among equals
Archbishop Makarios of Australia delivered a welcome, and quoted from a hymn from the Resurrection service: “Now all things are filled with light, heaven, and earth, and the underworld”.
Later that day, the University of Sydney’s main auditorium echoed with the chant Axios as Patriarch Bartholomew was conferred an honorary doctorate by the St. Andrew’s Theological School of the Archdiocese of Australia on Saturday.
The event began with a welcome from members of the Greek Diaspora and the historic Sydney Thistle Highland Pipe Band. The ceremony concluded with a moving performance titled “Echoes of Romiosyne,” presented by youth from the Christian Union of Sydney.
In his address, Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of “The Necessity of Synodality,” and emphasised that the Orthodox Church from its inception has operated synodically. He said that synodality should not be confused with a democracy, but rather as an expression of the Church’s communal and spiritual life.
He pointed to two “essential conditions for synodality: the role of the First Hierarch and the adherence to the Holy Ecumenical Councils.” He then congratulated Archbishop Makarios for introducing the new Constitution, which provides for the establishment of a Synod of Bishops in Australia.
Patriarch Bartholomew concluded by urging the young people present to stay close to the Church and Christ, “who will never disappoint you.”
Archbishop Makarios thanked the Patriarch for accepting being the first honorary doctorate recipient from the School of Theology, the first Orthodox Theological School in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sunday morning the Archdiocese of Australia celebrated another historic moment at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. Thousands of faithful attended the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, and Archbishop Makarios officially received the new and approved Constitution of the Archdiocese of Australia from the hands of Patriarch Bartholomew.
Patriarch Bartholomew, was visibly moved and said, “The Ecumenical Patriarchate shows its love in action.” He went on to present the new Constitution as a gift, and said it would secure the unity of the flock, ensuring that future generations grow without the divisions and conflicts of the past.
“This new Constitution is given to you with much love and care, for the Orthodox people of Australia deserve a united and strong Archdiocese,” the Patriarch said.
Celebrating 100 years of the Archdiocese of Australia
The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, marked the centennial celebration of the Archdiocese, and was presided over by Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Makarios, and other hierarchs and clergy. In attendance were the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, Minister for Small Business, Property and Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, and representatives of the Australian and Greek governments.
Patriarch Bartholomew paid tribute to the early Greek immigrants who faced many challenges when they arrived in Australia, yet prioritised the establishment of places of worship. He expressed satisfaction at the continued preservation of the Orthodox faith in the community and praised the work of Archbishop Makarios, who took over the leadership of the Archdiocese five years ago following the late Archbishop Stylianos.
The Patriarch underlined that Archbishop Makarios was a learned and devoted man, and described him as “a faithful and dedicated shepherd, chosen for this land to strengthen the bond between the faithful and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
Overcoming past challenges
The Patriarch acknowledged the challenges and canonical difficulties the Church in Australia faced in the past, however, he expressed confidence that the new Constitution would help overcome these issues. Archbishop Makarios then highlighted the importance of unity within the local Church and strengthening ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
He thanked Patriarch Bartholomew for his guidance, stating, “To the late Patriarch Gregory, we owe our ‘being’, but to Your Holiness, we owe our ‘well-being’.”
More images from the celebratory events below:
The original article: NEOS KOSMOS .
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