Hopes for a resolution of the ecclesiastical issue that has plagued South Australia’s Greeks for decades have been raised by a meeting Archbishop Makarios of Australia had with the Executive Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA).

The Community provided the following statement to Neos Kosmos late this afternoon, which is replicated in full as follows:

A preliminary meeting was held on Saturday 3 June in Adelaide with members from the newly elected Executive Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA), His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope.

The meeting followed a forum held on Sunday 28 May at Olympic Hall, where members of GOCSA were invited to attend and express their views and concerns on a number of issues important to the Community.

“It was an honour for our Executive Council to meet with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and re-engage in dialogue. It was important to hear His Eminence’s views on how we could potentially heal the ecclesiastical issue that has divided South Australia’s Greek community for decades,” said GOCSA President, Peter Gardiakos.

“The Administrative Council remains committed to serving and consulting with our members and safeguarding the future of GOCSA for generations to come. Whilst no decisions were made at this meeting with the Archbishop, it was heartening to see that we shared common goals such as open dialogue, mutual respect and transparency,” Mr Gardiakos said.

Archbishop Makarios expressed his love for the members of South Australia’s Greek Community and agreed that unity is the common goal between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia.

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia will continue to identify ways to future-proof the Community whilst ensuring the organisation’s values, proud history and heritage are preserved.

End statement.