Thousands Gather for Historic Divine Liturgy in Sydney Celebrating 100 Years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

On Sunday, October 6, more than 8,000 Orthodox Christians gathered at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney Theatre to participate in a historic event, the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA). The service, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, was a landmark occasion that united clergy, community leaders, and worshippers from all around Australia in a profound expression of faith and solidarity.

Worshippers gathered at the ICC Sydney Theatre as early as 7 a.m. in anticipation of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy. By 9:20 a.m., the atmosphere was electric as His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived, accompanied by Archbishop Makarios of Australia and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. The stirring chants of choirs from across Australia enhanced the occasion.

At the historic Divine Liturgy in celebration of the centenary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, which was celebrated by the Primate of the Orthodox Church Bartholomew and co-liturgists of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishops, members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, His Eminence and His Grace Hierarchs: Dervis Ezekiel, Sebastias Seraphim, Imbros and Tenedos, Kirill,  Miletoupolis Mr. Iakovos, Magnesia Mr. Christodoulou and Nikopoleos Mr. Themistocles (Patriarchate of Alexandria), and clergy and monks of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, were present, among others, the Prime Minister of New South Wales, Mr. Chris Minns, Minister for Small Business, Property and Multiculturalism NSW, Mr. Steve Kamper, other Australian Ministers, MPs and Senators, the Deputy Minister of Culture of Greece, Mr. Iason Fotilas,  representing the Greek Government, Ambassadors and Consuls, Archons of the M.T.H.E., and the parents of the Archbishop of Australia, Emmanuel and Fotini Griniezaki.

A significant chapter in the history of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia was written as His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia officially received the newly approved Constitution of the Archdiocese.

The handover occurred during the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at Sydney's International Convention Centre Stadium, where thousands of faithful Orthodox Christians gathered to witness the momentous occasion.

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, presiding over the event, shared words of love and unity with the congregation. "The Ecumenical Patriarchate loves you in practice," he affirmed, adding that the new Constitution is a "precious gift" aimed at securing the unity of the Church in Australia. He emphasized that this document will help future generations grow in faith, free from past divisions and strife, ensuring peace and harmony within the Archdiocese.

Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his deep affection for the Orthodox faithful in Australia, stating, "You truly deserve a united and strong Archdiocese. " He entrusted Archbishop Makarios with the new Constitution, marking a new era of unity and strength for the Orthodox Church in Australia.

In his inspiring speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch first mentioned the pioneer immigrants who arrived in the Antipodes amidst many difficulties and "their first concern was the building of places of worship, houses of God". Pointing out that in Australia, they found "a good and hospitable land and prospered and prospered", he expressed his paternal satisfaction for preserving the father's piety and faith. "We are rightly proud of the Diaspora," he noted, "which is a chosen flock of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, whose pastoral care was taken over five years ago by His Holiness Archbishop Makarios, in succession to the late great hierarch Stylianos." "The Holy Great Church of Christ did not send a hierarch to any," he underlined, "but Blessed be the one from Christoupolis, a man of scholarship and education, spiritual stature of our Mediocrity and spiritual child beloved, whom we were deprived of by the ministry and service of the Mother Church near us, but we considered that Australia deserves a competent pastor, faithful and devoted to the Holy Centre, To cultivate this love and the inseparable bond, he will do everything and all his might, even to this entrusted flock."

His All-Holiness did not omit to refer to the difficulties and canonical deviations that afflicted the Church in Australia in the past, stating that he is convinced that these are being corrected by the new Constitution, which he presented to Archbishop Makarios "with great pride and with righteous hope", wishing that "the Holy Archdiocese of Australia continues under the new regime its fruitful and upward course,  to the glory of the Name of God and praise of Christ's Holy Great Church."

"The Holy Archdiocese of Australia is now moving towards the prospect of unity and concord and overcoming the bitterness of the past," His Eminence Archbishop Makarios underlined, revealing that, with the Patriarch's encouragement and exhortation, the primary concern of his ministry in the fifth continent "has been and will continue unceasingly to be to ensure unity in the local Church. But also the revival and strengthening of this unity with the Holy Centre and the strengthening of the daughter's relations with her Mother". The above purpose is served and enshrined in the new Constitution, as explained by His Eminence, who expressed gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for his contribution to the renewal of the local Church, noting characteristically that "to the late Patriarch Gregory we owe the "being", to the Most Venerable Top we owe the "good being".

During the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew honoured 12 distinguished individuals by anointing them as Archons of the Holy and Great Church of Christ. Among the newly appointed Archons were Professor Vrasidas Karalis, Theodosios Penklis, Ioannis Mitrothanasis, Efstathios Kondylios, Panagiotis Sachtouris, Tony Tsourdalakis, Mario Kalogiannis, Dimitrios Athanasios Limnios, Panagiotis Demourtzidis, Vladimir Devrelis, Antonis Michael, and Christos Diamantis.

These newly anointed Archons will serve as part of a significant initiative launched by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, known as the ‘Order of Christ the Saviour.’ Under the presidency of Archon Andrew Liveris AO, this order will represent the Archons of the Ecumenical Throne in Australia, further strengthening the mission of the Church.

Following the announcement, Professor Vrasidas Karalis expressed heartfelt gratitude to His All-Holiness on behalf of the new Archons for the esteemed honour. The momentous service concluded with Holy Communion being offered to the faithful gathered in the ICC Sydney Theatre.

Photo Gallary of the Divine Liturgy

Images Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis for Greek City Times