On Monday, October 14, 2024, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Archdiocesan Church of St. Eustathius, Melbourne, in a spirit of joy and deep emotion. The Patriarch was greeted by Archbishop Makarios of Australia and Bishop Kyriakos, alongside young students from Oakleigh Grammar School and numerous parishioners. Protopresbyter Fr. Christos Dimolianis warmly welcomed the Patriarch, emphasizing unity and the desire to continue serving Christ’s mission.
During his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his joy in returning to Melbourne and praised the spiritual connection between the local Church and Mount Athos. He acknowledged the longstanding contributions of Metropolitans Ezekiel of Derbe and Seraphim of Sebastia and highlighted the strong leadership of Archbishop Makarios.
Patriarch Bartholomew urged the Greek diaspora to preserve their faith, traditions, and language, essential for the survival and progress of Hellenism and Orthodoxy in Australia. He emphasized the balance between maintaining cultural identity while embracing the spirit of ecumenism.
At a luncheon hosted by Bishop Kyriakos, the Patriarch spoke with admiration of Melbourne’s multicultural identity, describing it as a “colorful canvas of peoples and cultures” while reiterating the need for unity in diversity. He encouraged the diaspora to teach younger generations about their heritage while remaining global citizens grounded in their values.
The Patriarch was accompanied by several high-ranking clergy, including Metropolitans Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, Philotheos of Thessaloniki, Grand Protosyncellus Gregory, and Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office, Patriarchal Deacon Eulogios, coder of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Nun Iakovi, Abbess of the Holy Monastery of the Honorable Forerunner of Akritochori and others. The event symbolized both the deep roots of Hellenism in Australia and the forward-looking unity of the Orthodox Church.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
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