Archbishop Makarios of Australia travelled to the northern Queensland town of Innisfail, where he led the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition of the Theotokos parish on Sunday, to mark the great feast of the Dormition.
During his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the Gospel passage of the day, which recounts Christ healing a demon-possessed youth. He highlighted the contrast between a weak, theoretical belief in God and a living, active faith, stressing the essential role of prayer and fasting.
“For many people, faith simply means believing that God exists. That is only the beginning. Faith strengthens and matures when it is constantly cultivated. Prayer brings us into personal connection with God. Through prayer, we form a living relationship with Him that is tangible and real. Fasting disciplines our body and tempers our passions, making our soul more receptive to God’s grace. Together, prayer and fasting create a space in our heart where God’s presence is no longer just an idea, but a living reality,” Archbishop Makarios said.
He pointed to the Virgin Mary as the ultimate example of prayer, fasting, and faith:
“The Theotokos did not have a faith that was merely intellectual. She did not ‘believe’ in God in the way someone believes a fact is true. She knew Him personally, trusted His will completely, and allowed His presence to shape her life entirely.”
Concluding his sermon, he urged the faithful: “Let us strive for the kind of faith that can move mountains.” He also paid tribute to the pioneering migrants who founded the Orthodox parish of Innisfail 90 years ago, acknowledging their devotion and trust in God.
“As we honour their sacred contribution, we recognise our responsibility to continue their work, to safeguard our faith, and to promote it with determination,” he added.
At the close of the service, Archbishop Makarios bestowed the Cross of the Order of the Christ-Loving (Παράσημο του Τάγματος των Φιλοχρίστων) on George Kotzas, President of the Dormition parish, expressing the Church’s gratitude for his many years of service.
The service was concelebrated with Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane and attended by clergy of the Holy Diocese of Brisbane, Queensland MP Shane Knuth, and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and parish president of St John the Baptist Cairns, Theodoros Bakalakis.
