Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, made a formal visit to the Greek Consulate in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon, following the Divine Liturgy at Margaret Court Arena and the youth parade held as part of the centennial celebrations of the Archdiocese of Australia.
The Patriarch accompanied by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, was warmly welcomed by the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, and Consul General, Emmanouil Kakavelakis, alongside the Consul General of Adelaide, Alexandra Theodoropoulou, and staff members of the Consulate in Melbourne.
Later in the day, the Patriarch blessed a dinner hosted in his honour by Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, who expressed his gratitude to the Patriarch for approving the new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese. In his speech, Bishop Silouan thanked the Patriarch for his guidance and support in addressing the challenges faced by the local Church in Adelaide.
In his response, the Patriarch reflected on the struggles for unity within the Church of Adelaide over the years. He acknowledged the efforts made by the Greek government and the Church and highlighted the ongoing work of Archbishop Makarios and Bishop Silouan to restore harmony.
“It is well known that Archbishop Makarios has a special love and sensitivity for the former Archdiocesan District, now Diocese of Adelaide. We fully share these sentiments, as Adelaide has suffered from divisions and schisms within the Church since the establishment of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia,” Bartholomew said.
He noted that, despite the efforts of the late Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis and Minister Virginia Tsouderou, the issues of division have persisted. The Patriarch expressed his hope that the recent dialogues between Bishop Silouan and community members would continue to foster reconciliation.
“The Ecumenical Patriarchate recognises the dedication of Archbishop Makarios and Bishop Silouan, who have initiated a dialogue of love, unity, and reconciliation with the community. We express our gratitude for this blessed initiative and offer our prayers for its success,” the Patriarch stated.
From the official platform, the Patriarch extended a heartfelt invitation to those who, for various reasons, have distanced themselves from the Church to join in the spirit of mutual understanding and unity. “The Great Church of Christ does not hold grudges nor seeks anyone’s downfall but desires only return, healing, and salvation.”
The visit concluded with prayers and optimism for the future of the Church in Australia.
