His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the 12th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, spoke with much love and affection during his greeting to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, to the God-Loving Bishops and also to the Clergy and People of the Orthodox Church of the fifth continent.
His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas officiated at the Agiasmos Service for the opening of the Clergy-Laity Congress, and subsequently, declared the official opening of the congress’ work.
After conveying the warm, paternal wishes of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Nikitas emphasised among other things: “I am here today not to judge you, but to help you. I am here because I love your Archbishop, since we are both in the same boat. Do not hesitate to express your opinion on all topics. All together, in a spirit of unity, love and cooperation for your Archdiocese, we will do what is best for the future of the local Church.” “I love Australia,” he pointed out, “and I’ll be there for you whenever you need me.”
The participants of the 12th Clergy-Laity Congress listened with great satisfaction and joy to the words of the Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain and warmly applauded him to express their gratitude.
