The scheduled visit of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) to Australia, along with the launching of the book on Hagia Sophia, has been postponed.
The decision, conveyed through an official letter of deferral, was made due to a reduction in the number of parliamentary delegates, attributed to the upcoming European Parliament elections.
The news was communicated to Neos Kosmos by Professor Dr. Anastasios M. Tamis, Director of the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS) and President of the Australian Institute for Hellenic Research (AIHER).
Expressing regret over the deferment, Professor Tamis extended his sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused and conveyed his appreciation to those who had shown unwavering support for the event.
The visit, initially slated to be led by Secretary General Dr. Maximus Harakopoulos MP, was anticipated by members of the Australian Institutes and fellow volunteers in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Canberra.
The launch of the book titled ‘Hagia Sophia: The Churches of the Wisdom of God around the World’, set to take place at the Queen Hall, Parliament of Victoria, has also been deferred.
While disappointed by the postponement, Professor Tamis assured stakeholders that the events will be rescheduled, and “all concerned parties will be duly informed”.
He expressed gratitude towards collaborators and leaders who had worked tirelessly to organise the events across multiple cities.
“I take this opportunity to thank the Australian Orthodox Parliamentarians, our associates and collaborators in Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, and Sydney, the Presidents of the Greek and Cypriot Communities in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney and all those who had spearheaded the events. I am particularly indebted to eminent Byzantinist, Prof. Roger Scott and my colleague Prof. Vrasidas Karalis who accepted to launch the book in Melbourne and Sydney,” Prof. Tamis said.
