Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a press release said he will “welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Australia in October 2024.”

This year marks 100 years since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

“Australian society is enriched by our diversity—it is one of our greatest attributes,” Albanese said.

“The Greek Australian community is a vibrant part of Australia’s identity, involved in business, public service, politics, the arts and sport.”

His All-Holiness will spend two weeks in Australia, meeting with Greek Australian Diaspora communities, parishioners, political and interfaith leaders, and community groups.

In the statement Albanese said he will “host His All-Holiness as a Guest of Government on 5 and 13 October.” They will attend events together in Sydney and Melbourne that celebrate the milestone.

Australia is home to a significant Greek Orthodox community, with a population of over 400,000 people across the nation.

This will be His All-Holiness’ second visit to Australia as Ecumenical Patriarch—it has been 28 years since his last visit in 1996.

The prime minister said he was looking forward to welcoming His All-Holiness to Australia.

“It is a joy to celebrate the centenary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the contributions of the Greek community to our nation,” said the Australian prime minister.

ARCHISHOP MAKARIOS EXTENDS INVITATION

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese invites its congregation to participate in the celebration of the local Church, to receive the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch, and, at the same time, to express their filial love and respect to the Mother Church of Constantinople.

In his message, Archbishop Makarios of Australia noted:
“The present generations of our Greek community have a rare opportunity to welcome, in the land where they have built their second homeland, the Patriarch of our Nation, the guardian of the Orthodox faith, of our ancestors’ history and traditions. In the venerable person of His All-Holiness, as well as the esteemed institution he represents, we see our past, present, and future. I urge our devout and Christ-loving people to embrace the forthcoming blessed presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch among us as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, strength, and inspiration in the face of the many challenges ahead, as we enter the second century of our local Church’s life and journey.”

The program of key events that will take place in Sydney and Melbourne during the Apostolic Patriarchal visit is provided below. For more information on the events and for seat reservations where required, interested parties can visit this link.

SYDNEY EVENTS PROGRAM

  • Arrival of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Sydney, Australia on Friday, 4 October, 7pm at Sydney International Airport
  • Official Doxology for the Reception of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Saturday, 5 October, 10am-12pm at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos (242 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW)
  • Concert – Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Saturday, 5 October, 6pm-8pm at Seymour Centre, University of Sydney (Cnr City Road & Cleveland St, Chippendale NSW)
  • Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, Sunday, 6 October, 7am – 12pm at ICC Sydney Theatre (14 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW)
  • Official Dinner, Tuesday, 8 October, 6pm at ICC Grand Ballroom (14 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW)

MELBOURNE EVENTS PROGRAM

  • Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, Sunday, 13 October, 7.30am – 12pm at Margaret Court Arena, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne
  • Parade in Honour of the Ecumenical Patriarch, on Sunday, 13 October, 1.30pm – 3.30pm at KIA Arena, 200 Batman Ave, Melbourne
  • Official Dinner, Monday, 14 October, 6pm at Melbourne Park, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne