Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) President Peter Gardiakos and others on the board welcomed Archbishop Makarios at the Franklin Street Hall. This was a watershed, as it was in South Australia, where the historic Schism began in 1957 between secular authority, in the form of GOCSA, and clerical authority, the Archdiocese.
This is a landmark initiative, it is the first time in over 60 years since the start of Schism, that an Archdiocese leader has met with GOCSA.
Archbishop Makarios was joined by Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, and the Reverend Archdeacon Athinagoras.
The division started when Archbishop Ezekiel in the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War, was sent from the USA to wrest control over the Greek secular communities, or to ensure that churches run by the Communities moved into the fold of the Archdiocese. The Schism was deep and wide impacting all Greek Australians.
Archbishop Makarios meeting the members of GOCSA. Photo: Mark Petropoulos/GOAA
Steve Georganas MP the Federal Member for Adelaide. Photo:Mark Petropoulos/GOAA
Meeting Mr Gardiakos. Photo: Mark Petropoulos/GOAA
GOCSA has been the last remaining secular Greek Community in Australia to have held fast to the Schism. The new president of GOCSA, Gardiakos, has broken the impasse in what can be characterised as a bold move to end the remaining element of the Schism.
Addressing the members in attendance, the Archbishop said he was “moved” and added, “I see your faces, for what is most important in human interaction is what is communicated through the eyes”.
“All of you love God, the Church, and Hellenism, and because of this, my concern as the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia is for what I love, not to be divided,” Archbishop Makarios.
GOCSA President Gardiakos thanked the members for their “open minds and hearts” and for showing “strength and courage”.
“I understand that for some of you, it takes strength and great courage to be here with us, and for that, I say thank you,” GOCSA President Peter Gardiakos
“I understand that for some of you, it takes strength and great courage to be here with us, and for that, I say thank you,” Gardiakos said.
He said this was a “significant occasion” for GOCSA as it was “the first time since 1960 that an Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has openly visited us and welcomed dialogue.”
“Your Eminence, earlier this year, you stated that you were willing to come before our members to engage and speak directly with them lovingly and openly. Thank you for keeping true to your word,” said the GOCSA president. He then called on members to “take this journey together.”
During the hour-long Q&A session, Archbishop Makarios answered questions from members regarding how a potential reunification would affect GOCSA ecclesiastical services, issuance of certificates, the clergy and the Community’s property.
Speaking to the younger members of the Community, Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis reinforced the Archbishop’s remarks.
“Unity is all we want. His Eminence has said, and he is willing to write it, we don’t want money. To the contrary, we want you to have more than you already have, and we want to assist you through our various programs. We want your Community to grow. We want you to have children and youth.” Bishop Bartholomew
Archbishop Makarios said his “vision” is for “Hellenism to become stronger, and for this to happen, we need to be united.”
” There is no room for division, and I did not come here to judge the past but to tell you that we need to seek ways to shape the future collectively,” Archbishop Makarios said.
Steve Georganas the Federal Member for Adelaide was the moderator of the meeting and told Neos Kosmos that it was “a historic event”.
“This was a historic event. I hope that it marks the beginning of greater cooperation and unity, that will benefit the whole Greek community,” Steve Georganas MP
“This was a historic event. I hope that it marks the beginning of greater cooperation and unity, that will benefit the whole Greek community,” Georganas told Neos Kosmos.
The event ended with GOCSA President Gardiakos presenting the Archbishop an orchid as a sign of hope; Archbishop Makarios took his time to greet and speak with the GOCSA members present.
