On Tuesday, 28 July, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios paid a visit to Government House in Sydney at the invitation of the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley.
Mrs Beazley extended a warm welcome to His Eminence, while congratulating him for his pastoral endeavours and tireless efforts to support the Greek Orthodox flock of Australia and expressed her admiration that Archbishop Makarios has managed, within the span of only a year, to connect with all the stakeholders and the political leadership of Australia and to unite the Greek community, while gaining the respect and appreciation of the entire Australian society.
In the ensuing discussion, which was held in a cordial atmosphere, they analysed the recent painful developments surrounding the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and also conversed about other issues such as those concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as well as the future of the Archdiocese of Australia.
Furthermore, they deliberated with much interest but also disquiet, about various aspects of the pandemic and its implications for Australian society.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios invited Mrs Beazley for lunch at the Central Offices of the Holy Archdiocese. The invitation was immediately accepted by the Governor and the luncheon will be held in the near future.
