Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated his recent name day in Melbourne in the presence of esteemed guests at the Cretan Village on Sunday, 22 January.

State and local government officials including Maria Vamvakinou MP, Deputy Consul of Greece in Melbourne Georgia Botsiou, educators and representatives of Greek organisations and associations such as the President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria, Tony Tsourdalakis and the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne Bill Papastergiadis joined the Archbishop to honour his Patronal Feast Day.

Archbishop Makarios with Maria Vamvakinou MP and Bill Papastergiadis OAM. Photo: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, alongside Archiepiscopal Vicars of Melbourne and Northcote respectively, Bishop Michael of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and the Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christophoros Krikelis were also in attendance.

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

All photos: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

The evening MC’d by Fr. Georgios Frangos, Parish Priest of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Thomastown, began with the singing of the National Anthems of Greece and Australia, followed by a performance of traditional Greek dancing by the Cretan Brotherhood and the Pan-Cretan Association groups.

Archbishop Makarios presented some of the emblematic projects launched by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, while outlining the challenges.

The Archbishop with the recipients of the Order of the Christ-Loving medals. Photo: Supplied/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

At the end of his speech he received wishes and gifts for his name day from delegations of students from the Greek Orthodox Colleges of St. John Preston and Oakleigh Grammar before awarding medals of the “Order of the Christ-Loving” to those who have offered many years of service to the Church.