Marking the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew led the Divine Liturgy at Margaret Court Arena. Later, he attended a parade in his honour at the nearby Kia Arena, also attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
A large crowd of Greek Australians of all ages took advantage of the sunny weather to attend the event, despite the traffic restrictions caused by the marathon, which made access to the arena challenging. Many had arrived early by bus from their parishes, undergoing the necessary security checks.
The faithful attended the Divine Liturgy with reverence, which began at 7.30am and concluded around noon. Afterward, most attendees secured a spot in the Kia Arena. A highlight of the service was the recitation of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer by Greece’s Ambassador to Canberra, Stavros Venizelos.
Among the faithful was Anastasia, with her children Yiannis and Dimitra, along with her friend Anna. They told us they belonged to the Saint Nicholas Parish in Yarraville.
“It is an honour for us to be visited by the Ecumenical Patriarch,” Anastasia told Neos Kosmos. “His presence here brings a different aura. We feel blessed.”
Many official representatives from federal and state governments, other churches, diplomatic authorities, communities, organisations, schools, parishes, and clubs attended the event, as did many students.
After the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios of Australia addressed the congregation, expressing how honored and joyous they were to have the leader of Orthodoxy in the Antipodes, especially in Melbourne during these days.
Archbishop Makarios made a special mention of all the past leaders of the Archdiocese of Australia (Christophoros, Timotheos, Theophylaktos, Ezekiel, Stylianos), as well as Patriarch Gregory VII, who established the Archdiocese.
He highlighted the efforts made by all the clergy and Greek immigrants in Australia to ensure that the Archdiocese continued to thrive despite the challenges that arose over the years.
He spoke of the “worm of discord” that has occasionally plagued Hellenism but emphasized that all his predecessors had managed to maintain stability.
Referring to the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Melbourne, Archbishop Makarios stated, “Today, the great and very Greek city of Melbourne, Most Holy Master, the renowned city of the Greeks of the Fifth Continent, the pride of our Holy Archdiocese, is celebrating. For everyone, clergy and laity, eagerly awaited this visit with much anticipation and love… with faith and devotion to the Church.”
“Welcome to the very Greek Melbourne, Your Holiness,” concluded Archbishop Makarios, wishing the Ecumenical Patriarch many more years in good health. “Forever grateful.”
The leader of Orthodoxy then greeted all those present, particularly the devout congregation.
He spoke of a unique and blessed opportunity for himself and his distinguished entourage to be “here in the great city of Melbourne.”
“The city of the Greek diaspora… for which the Holy Great Church of Christ rejoices, and the heart of the Patriarch delights, seeing its children in this worship gathering.”
“It is indeed a rare and exceptional occasion,” he added.
He described it as “a joy and emotion unlike any other, despite the arduous and unusual distances, which, however, did not create a gap or estrangement between the Greek diaspora here and their spiritual mother, our Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
“With this visit, we feel the heartfelt closeness and the strong bond,” emphasised Bartholomew, adding that Archbishop Makarios was sent by the Mother Church as a “faithful and wise steward” to prepare the Way of the Lord in the Fifth Continent.
“We see this devotion to the Church reflected in your faces, dear children and brothers,” he continued. “Always connected to the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and your distinguished Shepherd, you form the devout and dedicated body of our Church here.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch made a more detailed reference to all the predecessors of Archbishop Makarios, with special mention of the late Stylianos, whom he said left an indelible mark on the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
“Beloved brothers and children in the Lord, the faith and tradition of the Apostles, the Holy Fathers, the Martyrs, and the Saints, which the late archbishops of this Holy Archdiocese preserved and bequeathed spotless and undefiled to the current Shepherd… this tradition you must hold and safeguard, to pass it on unblemished to future generations until the end of the world and the Second Coming of the Lord,” he said. Concluding, he once again expressed his joy and emotion for the love and honour shown to him by the faithful.
The front row of Margaret Court Arena sat various dignitaries and guests such as Tony Tsourdalakis, Kat Theophanous MP representing the Victorian Government, Nicholas Pappas AM, the secretary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, and Maria Vamvakinou.
Asked about his Melbourne experience Ambassador of Greece to Australia Stavros Venizelos, told Neos Kosmos: “It was a lovely experience, following Sydney being in the heart of Hellenism, here in Melbourne. I am very happy and wholeheartedly feeling this historical moment, this historical convergence.”
The photos and article will be continuously updated.
