The new Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, along with his wife, Larisa Tikaidi, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, visited the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia in Sydney last Friday.
They were greeted by Bishops Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Christodoulos of Magnesia, and Bartholomew of Charioupolis, as well as by the Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christophoros Krikelis.
The Ambassador and his entourage were guided through the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, where they lit a candle, venerated the holy icons, and learned about the history of the church building.
Following their tour, they met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia in his office.
The Archbishop congratulated Ambassador Venizelos on his new role at the Greek Embassy in Canberra, expressing his wishes for a blessed and productive tenure benefiting Hellenism in Australia.
During their meeting, they discussed important issues facing the Greek community, and Archbishop Makarios informed the Ambassador about the work of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. They also discussed the 100th anniversary of the Holy Archdiocese’s foundation and the upcoming Apostolic Visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Both Archbishop Makarios and Ambassador Venizelos expressed their commitment to continuing the cordial cooperation between the Greek State and the Orthodox Church.