SYDNEY – Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited the All Saints Parish in Belmore, Sydney, and offered a Doxology for the graduation ceremony of the third-year students of the Junior High School (HSC Class 2020), All Saints Greek Orthodox Grammar School.

In the presence of the Head of School, Eleftheria Lilli, and the priests of the Parish, Archimandrite Father Kyrillos Zisis, and Presbyter Fr. Christos Triantafyllou, as reported by vema.com.au, the Archbishop addressed moving words to the young graduates for a new and very promising chapter in their lives.

In his speech after the Doxology, the Archbishop focused on the valuable skills that the young people acquired during their attendance at the Greek Orthodox School, which will allow them to encounter the new challenges in their daily lives. Listening to their reasonable anxiety and stress in view of their transition to an environment unknown to them, he said that the years they spent at the All Saints Grammar School were a fruitful period for their development as adults and for their maturity in faith.

The Archbishop encouraged the students to take advantage of the gifts God has given them and to multiply them, always remaining close to Christ. In addition, he reminded them that the priest’s exhortation is heard at the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy: “Let us go forth in peace,” which means that we are about to leave the church in peace. In the same way, he encouraged young people to walk in the presence and peace of Christ, bearing good witness to those around them and radiating the light of His truth to the world.

He also wished the students much success in their exams and in their future endeavors while addressing them one last request: to stay close to the Church, to participate in the Divine Liturgies and to maintain the social ties they have created in the Orthodox environment of the All Saints Grammar. The Archbishop said that “I assure you that you will have my support, as well as that of our Archdiocese and our respected priests,” and he concluding that he is looking forward to hear their news about their development and progress.

It is noted that Archbishop Makarios, together with his blessing and wishes, offered the graduates a small icon of All Saints.