The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia honoured the memory of the ‘miracle of the healing’ of Panagia Myrtidiotissa on the island of Kythira with a grand liturgy at the Resurrection of Christ, Panagia Myrtidiotissa, and Saint Elesa Parish in the suburb of Kogarah, Sydney.
The liturgy was held on the morning of Sunday, September 24, presided over by Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, during the 12th Clergy-Laity Assembly of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
Archbishop Nikitas was assisted by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Ilion, Acharnes, and Petroupolis; Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra and Cherronesos, while also in attendance were two other hierarchs from Greece, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia and Metropolitan Prodomos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, who would participate in the proceedings of the Clergy-Laity Assembly.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios expressed warm thanks to the visiting hierarchs.
Among others, present were Bishops Silouanos of Sinope, Kyriakos of Sozopolis, Christodoulos of Magnesia (the Vicar who presided over the parish), Eumenios of Kerason, and Bartholomaios of Charioupolis; Very Reverend Archimandrite Christoforos Krikellis, Panos Vlahos, General Consul of Greece in Sydney; David Coleman, Federal Member for Banks; Nick Katris, Mayor of Georges River Council; and Barbara Zantioti, President of the Kytherian Association of Australia.
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia spoke of the “example of the life of Theotokos”, and the virtues of humility and practical obedience, were theologically analysed.
Concluding his address, Metropolitan Chrysostomos referred to the work he had observed being carried out by the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
A work he said through which the “Orthodox faith is glorified on the fifth continent, and the national consciousness of the members of the Greek Orthodox community is solidified.”
He went on to congratulate Archbishop Makarios, as well as the entire team of the Archdiocese.
Before the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the procession of the Holy Icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa took place, with the participation of members of the Sydney Hellenic School, dressed in traditional Greek costumes.
