His Eminence Archbishop Makarios Griniezakis was enthroned on Saturday 29th of June 2019, as the new Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary on Cleveland Street in Redfern in Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios was elected unanimously by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, on May 11, 2019.
Thousands attended the enthronement of Archbishop Makarios. Church dignitaries and statesmen from Australia and Greece attended the ceremony.
The ceremony of enthronement took place in the presence of Hierarchs of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Bishop Stephanos of Tallini and All Estonia, representative of the Church of Greece Bishop Panteleimon of Maronia, the representative of the Church of Cyprus, Metropolitan George of Paphos, and the representative of the Church of Crete Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochori.
The Honorable Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of NSW, The Hon David Coleman, MP Minister for Immigration, representing the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Mr Terrence Quick, Greek Deputy of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Her Excellency Martha Mavromatis, High Commissioner of Cyprus, the Hon Anthony Albanese, MP, Leader of Federal Opposition, Ms Sophie Cotsis, NSW Member for Canterbury, The Hon Anthony Sidoty, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, The Hon Christos Karras, Consul General for Greece in Sydney, Ms Katerina Gkikiza, Trade Commissioner of Greek Consulat and Mr Vakis Zisimos, High Commissioner of Cyprus, were also in attendance.
After the service, a celebratory lunch took place at the Doltone House at Hyde Park, where his Eminence was welcomed by locals of the Greek and non-Greek community.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios Griniezakis has a Master of Sacred Theology from the University of Boston, a Master of Arts in History and Science from Harvard and a Masters in Biothecics from Monash University Melbourne. He also has a doctorate (PhD) from the Medical School of the University of Crete. He has been a monk since the age of 19, is only 46 now and speaks numerous languages including fluent English.
Axios!
*Images by George Karantonis (Copyright)