His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, will be proclaimed an Honorary Doctor of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), following a relevant proposal by the two Departments of the Theological School and a unanimous decision of the Academic Senate of the University Foundation. The proclamation ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, along with the very honourable and blessed presence of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Informed of the decision regarding this honorary distinction, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia expressed its particular joy, noting that this is a “milestone for the entire Greek Orthodox community of Australia”. The Eparchial Synod also expressed grateful thanks to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, for the fact that he will honour the Archbishop’s proclamation ceremony with His esteemed presence, as well as to the Rector of the University, Mr. Gerasimos Siassos, and to the Dean of the School of Theology, Mr. Emmanuel Karageorgoudis. It announced, finally, that the Holy Eparchial Synod will be represented by Their Graces, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Evmenios of Chora, and the Archdiocesan Council by its General Secretary, Archon of the Holy Great Church of Christ, Mr. Nick Pappas.
The following is the Communiqué of the Holy Eparchial Synod:
The Holy Eparchial Synod
of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Australia, during its extraordinary session, yesterday, 26 March 2025, with feelings of special joy and praise to the Triune God, was informed that His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, following a solemn proposal by the two Departments of the Theological School of the University of Athens and a unanimous decision of the Academic Senate, will be proclaimed Honorary Doctor of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Institution. The official ceremony of the Archbishop’s proclamation will take place on 7 May 2025, in the Great Hall of the University of Athens, along with the very honourable and blessed presence of His All-Holiness, our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
This great and special honour bestowed upon His Eminence our Archbishop and President of the Holy Eparchial Synod is a crowning achievement of his multifaceted theological and scientific work, but also a recognition of the groundbreaking ecclesiastical ministry of our venerable Shepherd on the Fifth Continent. Furthermore, this high distinction is a milestone for the entire Greek Orthodox community of Australia, which participates in this special joy of our Local Church and respectfully congratulates our Chief Shepherd.
The fact that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, will honour the ceremony of the proclamation of our Archbishop, with His esteemed presence, is not only an honour but also a blessing for the entire Archdiocese of Australia, for which we express once again our grateful thanks and our filial gratitude to His venerable person. Gratitude is also expressed to the Rector of the University of Athens, Mr. Gerasimos Siassos, and to the Most Distinguished Dean of the Theological School, Mr. Emmanuel Karageorgoudis, as with this choice they honour not only the person of the Archbishop but also the Greek Orthodox flock of Australia as a whole.
At the above events, the Holy Eparchial Synod will be represented by Their Graces, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Evmenios of Chora, while the Archdiocesan Council of the Archdiocese of Australia will be represented by its General Secretary, Archon of the Holy Great Church of Christ, Mr. Nick Pappas.
From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
