On Sunday, 24 August, the Holy Archdiocese of Australia commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the convocation of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea with the celebration of a Synodal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Sydney. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, President of the Holy Eparchial Synod presided over the Divine Liturgy, and was joined in concelebration by Their Graces, members of the Eparchial Synod: Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Bishop Elpidios of Perth, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, and Bishop Evmenios of Chora.
During the Divine Liturgy, the Encyclical of the Holy Eparchial Synod was read: in Greek, by Archimandrite Eirinaios Trialonakis, and in English, by Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and Dean of the Cathedral.
In the Synodal Encyclical it was emphasised, among other things, that ‘the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, beyond its primary and central significance with regard to the doctrine of the Church and the affirmation of the faith in the consubstantiality of the Son and Word with God the Father, holds a preeminent place in history, since with its convocation and the participation of Bishops from all parts of the Empire, the Church acquired for the first time, in reality, a consciousness of its ecumenicity. This means that particularity and locality are transcended for the sake of wholeness, catholicity, and unity. This unique experience of unity, despite subsequent trials, would remain alive and vivid in the memory of the Church. And every time the ecclesial body is in danger of division, the synodal system will be activated.’
Among the devout faithful who attended were the Vice-President of the Archdiocesan Council and Archon of the Great Church of Christ, Mr. Theo Penklis; the Sub-Dean of the St. Andrew’s Theological College, Assoc. Professor Philip Kariatlis; as well as the Orthodox Clergyman and Professor of Theology at the University of Aberdeen, Fr. John Behr.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, in his brief address at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, spoke warmly and with words of praise to Fr. John Behr, thanking him for his visit to Sydney and for his participation in the International Theology Symposium on the First Ecumenical Council, which was organised by St. Andrew’s Theological College on the 22nd and 23rd of August. ‘It is a great honour for us to have you with us,’ His Eminence stated emphatically, addressing the distinguished Theologian, while presenting him with a pectoral cross as a token of gratitude for his steadfast support of the Theological College of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
