On Thursday, October 17, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Parish of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior in the Holy Diocese of Chora, located in Thomastown, Melbourne. Archbishop Makarios of Australia accompanied him, and the visit was met with great enthusiasm. Rose petals were scattered, and joyful bells rang as the Ecumenical Patriarch was warmly welcomed by the Parish’s Hierarchical Head, Fr. George Frangos.
Fr. George expressed pride in having the Ecumenical Patriarch as their spiritual leader and emphasized that his visit strengthens the spiritual bonds between the local faithful and the Holy Center of Orthodoxy. He praised the Ecumenical Patriarch for his wisdom, calling for peace, justice, and love across the world.
Gratitude was also expressed for Archbishop Makarios, noting his revitalization of the Holy Archdiocese during his tenure. Fr. George presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with an 18th-century icon of Saint Charalambos as a symbol of the Parish’s love and devotion.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew shared his mixed emotions of joy and sorrow as his visit to Australia came to an end. He praised Archbishop Makarios for his devotion to the Mother Church and emphasized the closer ties between the local Church and the Holy Center since Makarios assumed leadership.
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki also offered a brief greeting, expressing his joy over his experiences with the Orthodox faithful in Australia. He highlighted the Ecumenical Patriarch’s role as an evangelist, spreading the truth to the people of God and providing opportunities for others to bear witness to the truth.
He offered his congratulations to Archbishop Makarios, the Bishops, and all the companions of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Australia.
In attendance during the Patriarchal visit to the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Savior were Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, Grand Protosyncellus Gregory, Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office, Patriarchal Deacon Eulogios, Nun Iakovi, Abbess of the Holy Hermitage of the Honorable Forerunner in Akritochori, Archon Teacher of the Nation Konstantinos Delikostantis, Director of the First Patriarchal Office, Archon Teacher of the Church Theodoros Giagkos, Professor at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Themistoklis Karanikolas, a staff member of the Patriarchate of Melbourne, as well as the Metropolitans Ezekiel of Dervi and Seraphim of Sevastia, Bishop Eumenius of Chora, and the other Bishops of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Archons of the Ecumenical patriarchate, His Holiness’ brother, Nikolaos Archontonis, and the parents of the Archbishop of Australia, Emmanuel and Fotini Griniezakis.
