Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to Sydney left a lasting impact, filled with heartwarming moments he won't soon forget. Before departing for Melbourne on Friday, October 11th, the Patriarch attended a farewell dinner at Saint Euphemia's Parish-Community Hall in Bankstown.
While the evening was filled with touching encounters with his fellow Imbrians, a particularly moving gesture came from an unexpected source: the Ukrainian Parish-Community of Saint Savvas the New in Kalymnos. Fr. Savvas Pizanias, the community's leader, presented the Patriarch with a deeply personal gift – a painting by Ukrainian artist Artur Orlenov, a close friend of Fr. Savvas. The artwork beautifully portrayed a young Patriarch Bartholomew alongside his late parents, Christos and Meropi Archontonis.
This heartfelt present deeply moved the Patriarch. The painting will serve as a constant reminder of his time in Sydney and the touching gesture of solidarity from the Ukrainian community, transporting him back to both his birthplace in Imbros and the distant but welcoming community he found in Australia.