On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, Hierarchs from Greece arrived in Sydney, to take part in the works of the 12th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia (September 24-27, 2023). These Hierarchs are Their Eminences, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Ilion, Acharnes and Petroupolis, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymnos and Avlopotamos and Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra and Cherronesos.
At the Sydney airport they were warmly welcomed with evident feelings of joy and brotherly love by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, after thanking the Hierarchs for their response to the invitation to participate in the Clergy-Laity Congress, expressed the certainty that their presence and contribution will be fruitful and constructive.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was joined by Their Graces, Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia and Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, as well as other clergy of the local Church. Also present at the reception were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr. Yannis Mallikourtis, the Vice-President of the Archdiocesan Council, Mr. Theo Penklis, delegations of members of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society and the Greek Welfare Centre, as well as many faithful.