A new Presbyter was added to the ranks of the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. Fr. George Vryonis received the second degree of priesthood through the holy hands of his Chief Shepherd, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. Fr. George’s ordination took place during the Festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, at the celebrating Holy Monastery of Our Lady “Axion Esti”, in Northcote, Victoria.
Also present and participating in the Joy of the newly ordained presbyter were, His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, Their Graces, Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta and Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, a multitude of clergy from the State of Victoria and a large crowd of devout Christians, including the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, and the brother of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Nikolaos Archontonis, with his wife, Katerina.
In his exhortation address, Archbishop Makarios offered spiritual advice to Fr. George, urging him, among other things, to become “an example of forgiveness, patience and indiscriminate love for all”. Expressing the certainty that the new Presbyter will prove worthy of the Church’s expectations, he focused on the auspicious occasion of his ordination on the day of the celebration of the name day of the Primate of the Orthodox Church, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. “I am sure that His example will inspire you, His personality will enlighten you, His gifts will serve as a calling for your own life, His self-sacrifice, His love and the goodness of His heart will guide you,” he noted.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios referred again to the venerable figure of the Ecumenical Patriarch, expressing the wholehearted wishes of the holy Clergy and the Christ-loving People of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia: “All together, from the depths of our hearts, we wish and pray that His years will be many and blessed, that our God will grant Him strength and health, to continue the sacred patriarchal journey that is for the glory of Christ and the salvation of all souls.”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia also extended appropriate wishes to His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, who was also celebrating his name day. His Eminence spoke with warm words about Bishop Bartholomew, noting the great love and genuine respect he has for the Ecumenical Patriarch, and highlighting his humble and sacrificial ministry in whatever position and ministry the Church assigns him to. In his reply, Bishop Bartholomew thanked His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for the example of love he offers to the Bishops and clergy of the local Church.
Finally, the Archbishop welcomed the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, who also responded appropriately, expressing his satisfaction with the continuous progress of the Holy Archdiocese, under the guidance of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
