On Sunday 15th December 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios conducted his first Sunday Service at St Spyridon in Sydney, Australia.
During the Divine Liturgy, following the Cherubic Hymn and the Great Entrance with the Holy Gifts, His Eminence ordained Father Amphilohios Papantoniou to the Priesthood.
"This was a very moving aspect of the Service, not only for the congregation but even for those of us who have witnessed many ordinations. For Father Amphilohios, it was an overwhelming experience as the Archbishop besought God the Holy Spirit to descend upon the hitherto Deacon and, by His Divine Grace which 'supplements all deficiencies' elevate Father Amphilohios to the Priesthood," St Spyridon Parish Priest Father Steven Scoutas stated.
Wishing the newly ordained Father to become "a living and incarnate Gospel who will walk among us and bear witness to the truth," he noted that to do so, he must "leave everything with complete confidence in God's providence."
At the end of the service, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios also acknowledged the contribution of two members of the St Spyridon community, Mr Stelios Coudounaris and Mrs Elsie Tsangaris who were awarded with the Silver Cross of St Andrew for their volunteer service to the Church.
*Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright)
