Thousands of Greek Orthodox faithful are expected to attend the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday (7.30am – 12pm) at Margaret Court Arena, Olympic Blvd, and the parade honouring the Ecumenical Patriarch (1.30pm – 3.30pm) at KIA Arena (200 Batman Ave).

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is also anticipated to be present at the event.

On Tuesday, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, where he admired the diverse wildlife of Australia.

Following his Sydney visit, Melbourne is preparing to welcome the leader of the Orthodox Church, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will arrive on a special flight provided by Prime Minister Albanese on Saturday.

The Prime Minister, who gave the Patriarch a warm reception in Sydney, announced that his government would contribute $25 million towards the renovation of the Annunciation Cathedral.

In a statement, Archbishop Makarios of Australia said, “Our current generation has a rare opportunity to welcome the Patriarch of our people, the guardian of our Orthodox faith, history, and traditions, to the country where we have built our second home. In the esteemed figure of His All-Holiness, we see our past, present, and future. I urge our faithful community to embrace this blessed presence as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, strengthening, and inspiration in the face of the many challenges ahead.”

In Sydney, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over a magnificent Doxology service at the historic Annunciation Cathedral, stating that “the Church of Christ shines and radiates.”

More detailed reports and photos of the Patriarch’s visit to Sydney will be published in the print edition of Neos Kosmos on Thursday.

Due to the Melbourne Marathon coinciding with the events on Sunday, which will result in several road closures, attendees are advised to plan accordingly to avoid delays:

  • Buses will depart from various parishes for the event locations, and attendees can reserve seats.
  • Parking can be pre-booked through the following link: Parking Reservations.
  • Alternatively, attendees can take the tram and disembark at the stop outside the arena or take the train to Richmond Train Station and walk a few minutes to the venue.
  • Uber and taxi services are also available for transportation.