The news of Australia’s Archbishop Stylianos passing at 6pm on Monday, the Greek Independence Day holiday, sent shockwaves rippling through the Greek community.

Greek Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Terens Quick held a moment of silence in honour of the late religious leader at an event he was attending in Melbourne, while tributes flowed from leaders far and wide with condolence messages from everyone to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, opposition leader Bill Shorten, state premiers Daniel Andrews and Gladys Berejiklian and many more.

Priests from across the city gathered for a set of morning prayers on Wednesday, before a private meeting of clergy took place inside the nave of the Annunciation Cathedral.

Senior priests also engaged with teams of local police, as authorities formulated plans to close off the section of Cleveland Street in front of the Archdiocese gates for Friday’s public viewing and Trisagion service. Officials at the Archdiocese complex considered floor plans and outdoor spaces with the intention of erecting overhead covers for the thousands of delegates and faithful expected to attend both days’ events.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew designated Metropolitan Archbishop Panteleimon of Vryoula to officiate Saturday’s funeral as the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch. Panteleimon, who was elevated to Metropolitan in 2018, previously served as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Australia with posts in Adelaide and Melbourne.