The ecumenical service held for the first time in a Greek Orthodox church that was held on Tuesday ahead of the new parliamentary year was attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as well as leading Australian politicians.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia delivered the sermon at the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas in Kingston, Canberra. Roman Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse of Canberra-Goulburn and Anglican Bishop Mark Short of Canberra-Goulburn delivered prayers of Intersession during the service.
Also attending the service were Opposition Labor Leader Anthony Albanese, the Deputy Prime Minister Josh Frydenberg, the deputy Labor leader Richard Marles, as well as ministers, members of parliament and senators and the Greek Ambassador to Australia, George Papacostas.
Also present were Parliamentary Christian Fellowship Co convenor Luke Gosling (Federal MP for Solomon, Northern Territory), Steve Georganas (federal MP for Nailsworth, SA), Maria Vamvakinou (federal MP for Calwell) who encouraged the idea of holding the 2022 Ecumenical Service at St Nicholas Church. Their idea was strongly supported by Greek Orthodox Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Canberra, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Father Petros of St Nicholas Church.
READ MORE: PM attends service for new parliamentary year in at Canberra’s St Nicholas church
“The Ecumenical Service this morning here at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a significant recognition of the Greek Orthodox Faith’s integral place in Australia. It gives recognition and extends inclusiveness to generations of Australians of Greek Orthodox faith, and it does so at the highest levels of government.” said Ms Vamvakinou.
Mr Morrison said that it was the first time that he had ever been in a Greek Orthodox church. He used the setting to refer to the Religious Discrimination Bill that is due to come before Parliament.
“On this day, it’s important that we remember that for so many Australians – it doesn’t matter whether you’re Hindu, whether you’re Sikh, whether you’re Christian, whether you’re Muslim, whether you’re Jewish, whether you have, choose to have no religious faith at all – that is also important to protect this country because we sing, ‘Australians all one and free’”.
He said that other key issues that would be on the agenda would look to the “treatment of women in our workplaces, in our society and in our lives”. Maintaining the strength of the economy, keeping Australians safe and the borders secure would also be debated in the coming year.
