On Tuesday, 29 July 2025, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, welcomed to the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese, in Sydney, His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan of Australia and New Zealand of the Armenian Church.
His Grace Bishop Vardan, one month after his arrival and settlement on the fifth continent, chose the Holy Archdiocese of Australia as the starting point of his official visits, as a sign of respect and appreciation for the person of Archbishop Makarios and for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The meeting of the two ecclesiastical leaders took place in a climate of cordiality and mutual respect. Issues of common interest related to pastoral ministry in the Diaspora were discussed, while thoughts and suggestions were exchanged regarding the possibilities of strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation. In fact, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios extended an invitation, which the Bishop of the Armenian Church graciously accepted, to attend the International Theology Symposium entitled: “Nicaea at 1700: A Council for the ages?”, which will be held on 22-23 August 2025 in Sydney, organised by St. Andrew’s Theological College in Sydney and the Council of Churches of New South Wales, and under the auspices of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
Finally, as a sign of friendship and in memory of his visit, His Grace Bishop Vardan offered the Archbishop of Australia a traditional Armenian embroidery and a bottle of fine wine produced in Armenia.
