Among the many highlights of the Greek Festival of Sydney last weekend at Darling Harbour was the display of a harmonious atmosphere between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW which organises the Festival.
It was an historic first when current Archbishop Mr Makarios became the first ever primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia to attend the official opening of the Festival in its 41 years.
“I would like to thank with all my heart the kind invitation I had received on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW which means that we have to move forward as Greeks with one voice in unity and love,” said Mr Makarios, gaining the applause of the crowd.
“And this unity and love, I want all of you to have it because if we don’t have unity and love, the organisations, the Archdiocese, the various bodies, then this division will reach the families. And I don’t want to have divided Greek families. I want you to be united and loved,” added his Eminence.
He also thanked “on behalf of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia the Premier and the leader of the Opposition for the financial support to this festival which is indeed very important and significant for the Greek culture and heritage.”
“Allow me to say a last thank you to the soul of this Festival, Ms Nia Karteris, who is struggling with great effort and toil to produce fruitful results for everyone.”
In her turn, the Festival’s Chair, Nia Karteris, echoed in full the remarks by Mr Makarios.
“What I would like to stress here today, is that for the first time at the Greek Festival, we have his Eminence Archbishop Mr Makarios. From the bottom of my heart, I say a big thank you. This shows unity, respect and love,” commented Ms Karteris.
