A moving liturgy took place at the Ukrainian Orthodox parish and community of St Savvas of Kalymnos in Banksia, Sydney which has now become the first in Australia to officially integrate into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
The decision to incorporate all Ukrainian parishes in Australia under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia took place in May following Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s vote during a Synod.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited the Ukrainian parish for the first time on Sunday, 5 June and presided over a Divine Liturgy, the inaugural liturgy of the St Savvas Parish as part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
A Ukrainian parishioner offering tsoureki to the Archbishop at the airport. Photo: Supplied
A Ukrainian parishioners committee receives the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia at the airport. Photo: Greek Archdiocese of Australia
A Ukrainian parishioners' committee receives the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia at the airport. Photo: Greek Archdiocese of Australia
A Ukrainian parishioners' committee receives the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia at the airport. Photo: Greek Archdiocese of Australia
Upon arrival at Kingsford Airport in Sydney, he was received by a group of Ukrainian parishioners in their traditional national attire, holding Australian and Ukrainian flags who offered him tsoureki and expressed their gratitude.
The crowd led by Fr. Savvas Pizanias, Head of the Ukrainian Parish of Saint Savvas in Kalymnos, Sydney, and Mr Peter Deriashnyj, President of the Federation of Ukrainian Australian Cossacks and President of the Ukrainian Parish of Saint Basil in Newcastle, sang Ukrainian songs and ecclesiastical hymns, while constantly exclaiming “Axios” (he is worthy).
On behalf of all, the President of the Federation of Ukrainians Mr. Deriashnyj, said “In these difficult times that our nation and our country, Ukraine, is going through, your presence came as a gift from God.
We are orphans and we want to have you as a father, and please never abandon us.”
Archbishop Makarios arrives at St Savvas. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
Makarios receives yet another tsoureki upon arrival at St Savvas. Photo: Supplied
Marking a historical moment. Photo: St Savvas Orthodox Parish/Facebook
An emotional Archbishop Makarios responded that “We will all move forward together, united, with the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew. This unholy and dishonest war that is the result of the method of the devil and his people will end and then we will all celebrate the freedom of beautiful and blessed Ukraine.”
Please, until then, pray that the war stops. I’ll be close to you. I will be your father and the Archdiocese will now be your home,” he added. “I welcome you to your home, where you normally and ecclesiastically belong.”
Later on, at the St Savvas church, members of the congregation, Ukrainians in their majority, were moved as they welcomed the Greek Orthodox Archbishop for this historical unison. The official accession of Australia’s first Ukrainian Parish-Community to the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia was celebrated spiritually and in thanksgiving on the day the Church honours the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.
Makarios presiding over the Liturgy with the Ukrainian priests. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
A moment of love and unity between Archbishop Makarios and the Ukrainian priests. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
The Holy Evangelion held at the beginning of the historical Liturgy. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
The Ukrainian priest welcoming the ascension of the parish to the Archdiocese of Australia. Photo: St Savvas Parish/Facebook
Ukrainian priests and faithful members of the local and wider community during Archbishop Makarios' speech. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
Archbishop Makarios giving his speech. Photo: ToVima/Facebook
In his speech at the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios gave a small speech and thanked parish priest, Father Savvas Pizania, for his valuable contribution to achieving unity within the community.
Archbishop Makarios stressed the importance of the Synod and its intention to maintain and promote unity among Christians and the Church during turbulent times and how applicable it all is today.
Archbishop Makarios also expressed his ongoing support for the Ukrainian people and condemned the Russian invasion once again.
“It is a completely insane vanity of a very sinful plan,” he said, “one that has forced millions of people to abandon their homes and has turned entire cities into rubble”.
“I hope our merciful God ends this madness and reinstates peace,” he added.
Parishioners and community officials. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
Mr Steve Kamper MP. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
(L-R) the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Ms Martha Mavrommatis and Mr Christos Karras; Member for Rockdale. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
An emotional parishioner in the congregation. Photo: St Savvas of Kalymnos Orthodox Church Sydney/Facebook
Parishioners at St Savvas. Photo: Greek Archdiocese of Australia
The representatives of the Ukrainian parish of St Savvas then offered a special gift to Archbishop Makarios, a wooden egg with a depiction of his namesake saint Agios Makarios.
In attendance on the day were also the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras; Member for Rockdale, Mr Steve Kamper MP; the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Ms Martha Mavrommatis; and Georges River Council Mayor, Mr Nick Katris.
Finally, the parish members recited psalms and chanted Archbishop Makarios’ Polichronion in Ukrainian.
Archbishop Makarios receives a traditional Ukrainian egg with a depiction of Agios Makarios on it. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
Chanting hymns in Ukrainian. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
An Ukrainian woman in traditional attire at St Savvas. Photo: St Savvas of Kalymnos Orthodox Church Sydney/Facebook
Parishioners of all ages in traditional costumes holding the Ukrainian and Australian flags. Photo: Vema.com.au/Facebook
Blessing the union. Photo: Veman.com.au/Facebook
