“Without prayer and fasting, faith remains shallow,” His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, preached during his sermon at the Parish of the Dormition of Our Lady in the small town of Innisfail, Far North Queensland.
His Eminence travelled to the remote Innisfail, in order to communicate in person with his spiritual children there and exchange wishes on the occasion of the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. As part of the visit, on Sunday, 10th of Matthew, 17 August 2025, His Eminence officiated at the Matins Service and presided over the Divine Liturgy, with the local Bishop of Brisbane, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew, concelebrating. Clergy of the Holy Diocese of Brisbane participated, while Queensland State MP, Mr. Shane Knuth and the Archon of the Great Church of Christ, President of the Parish of St. John the Baptist in Cairns, Mr. Theo Bacalakis, were present, among others.
During his sermon, the Archbishop theologically analysed the Gospel reading of the day, which presents the healing of the demon-possessed young man by our Lord Jesus Christ. In eloquent language, he highlighted the difference between theoretical and weak faith in God and faith that is alive and strong. Necessary conditions for the latter, as he pointed out, are prayer and fasting: “For many people, faith simply means the conviction that God exists. This is only the beginning. Faith strengthens and matures when it is constantly cultivated. Prayer brings us into a personal connection with God. Through prayer, we form a living relationship with Him, which is tangible and real. While fasting disciplines our body and limits our passions, it makes our soul more receptive to God’s grace. Together, prayer and fasting create a space in our hearts where the presence of God is no longer an idea, but a living reality.”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios also referred to the venerable person of the Patroness of the Parish, the Virgin Mary, to underline that “in the life of the Virgin Mary we see the perfect example of prayer, fasting and living faith”. As he pointed out: “She did not have a faith that was merely intellectual. She did not ‘believe’ in God in the way that one would believe that an event is true. She knew Him personally, trusted His will completely and allowed His presence to completely shape her life”.
Concluding his sermon with an emphatic exhortation: “Let us aim to acquire that faith that can move mountains,” the Archbishop did not fail to point out as an example to be imitated, the pioneering immigrants who, 90 years ago, with deep devotion and trust in God, founded the Orthodox Parish of Innisfail. “As we honour their sacred offering, we realise our responsibility to continue their work, to preserve our faith and to promote it with determination,” he concluded.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios honoured the Secretary of the Parish-Community of the Dormition of Our Lady, Innisfail, Mr. George Kotzas, with the Order of the Christ-loving, to whom he expressed the gratitude of the local Church for his many years of service.
