On Wednesday 9th October, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited Rookwood General Cemetery in Sydney, where the blessed Metropolitan Theophylactos of Australia and New Zealand, and Archbishop Stylianos of Australia rest in the Greek Orthodox section.
The Patriarch, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevasteia, the Very Reverend Grand Ecclesiarch Archimandrite Aetios, Director of the Personal Patriarchal Office, and the Reverend Patriarchal Deacon Evlogios, Codifier of the Holy and Sacred Synod, performed a Trisagion service at the graves of the late Primates of the local Church of Australia and spoke with profound respect and appreciation for their sacrificial ministry and contribution to the Greek Orthodox people of the fifth continent.
With great emotion, he referred to the late Archbishop Stylianos, with whom he shared a spiritual bond and personal friendship since their youth in the classrooms of the Theological School of Halki. “Archbishop Stylianos was a unique, strong personality, an excellent theologian, a sensitive poet, a good friend, a fighter, and he dedicated all his qualities to the ministry of the Greek people in Australia for almost half a century. During his long tenure at the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, he left an indelible mark,” he noted, among other things.
Furthermore, the Ecumenical Patriarch prayed for the repose of the souls of the hierarchs and clergy who served, and all Orthodox Christians resting in the soil of Australia. “For all, our prayer today rises as incense before the throne of God. Eternal be their memory,” he stated.
Earlier, His All-Holiness received a warm and enthusiastic welcome at the Holy Cemetery Church of Saint Athanasios from the Parish Priest Fr John Grillis, and from numerous faithful, including many children who showered him with rose petals. Father John addressed the Patriarch, expressing heartfelt thanks for his blessed visit to Rookwood, while briefly presenting the history of the establishment of the Church of Saint Athanasios.
