SIDNEY – His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Cathedral in Redfern, Sydney behind closed doors. Present also was the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bishop Emilianos of Meloa.

The participants also celebrated the feast day of St Christopher, which has special significance for Archbishop Makarios as it marks the first anniversary of his election as Archbishop of the historic Archdiocese of Australia.

The Archbishop said among other things that “I cannot forget this day and I turn my mind with gratitude to our All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Holy and Sacred Synod that entrusted me with such an important position in our Church. I thank them and I will always commemorate them with gratitude.” He also acknowledged all the Bishops, who were represented by His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloa as well as all the clergy and the faithful.

“We are experiencing something that is unique and special,” His Eminence said and explained, “We the clergy and the laity are living the miracle of Pentecost. We are united in a bond of love and, despite the restrictions that prevent us from being physically together, it is praiseworthy that the people throughout this vast continent are expressing their great love for their Shepherd and await for this trial that we are facing with the coronavirus to pass in order to be able to communicate with him face to face.”

From the prior day, the Archdiocese had been swamped with flowers and good wishes from clergy and lay people throughout Australia.

The Archbishop referred to St Christopher who carried Christ on his shoulders and asked that everyone imitate his example. “Let us all become Christ-bearers”, he paternally urged and did not forget to convey his best wishes to the Director of the Personal Office of the Archbishop, Fr Christophoros Krikelis.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios conducted a memorial service in memory of the first Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand, the late Archbishop Christophoros as well as the Abbot of Simonos Petras Monastery, Aimilianos of blessed memory.

Furthermore, he raised to the rank of Protopresbyter Father Anastasios Bozikis, Father Peter Mavrommatis and Father Pandeleimon Hrissafis as well as announced the election of the Very Rev. Fr Christodoulos Economou to the position of Secretary of the Episcopal Assembly.