In an atmosphere of deep emotion on Sunday, 6th October, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia convened in a festive session, presided over by the head of the Orthodox Church, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
With words of filial gratitude, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia addressed His All-Holiness assuring Him, among other things, that “we deeply feel this blessing of the Mother Church towards the Holy Archdiocese, a blessing not accidental but ground-breaking and enduring, which has fundamentally reshaped the local Church and laid the unbreakable foundations of its prosperous and virtuous journey into the second century.” In another part of his speech, His Eminence emphasised, “The establishment of synodical consciousness is a ‘bet’ to use a popular expression, for our Holy Archdiocese, one to which we are all dedicated.”
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his exhortatory address, initially described the timeline of the preparation, examination, and approval of the new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, in which the introduction of the synodical system of administration of the local Church was foreseen. Concluding this description, he noted that “from today, a new page, a new century begins, equipped with the functioning of the Eparchial Synod and the establishment of the six Dioceses.” He added, “You, venerable fellow brothers, are the first inheritors and stewards of this great gift from the Great Church and, as such, you bear a heavy responsibility both before the Church and history.”
His All-Holiness emphasised to the members of the Synod that “today the Church entrusts you with a great mission” and offered paternal advice for the exemplary fulfillment of this mission. “The Holy Eparchial Synod is the guarantor of the unity of the local Church in the person of the Archbishop, who remains the sole Shepherd of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, for without the First, Synodality dangerously falters,” he highlighted. “The unbreakable unity of the Body of Bishops is what gives the people the example of unity and obedience to the Church,” he emphasised in another part of his speech.
“Remain steadfast to the very end in the sacred and inherited traditions, study with devotion and obedience the ordinances of our Holy Church, and imitate the love and dedication of your Archbishop and Geronda to the venerable and sacred institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” His All-Holiness urged in conclusion, and he gave his patriarchal and paternal blessing to the start of the Holy Eparchial Synod’s work, wishing the rich grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit upon its President and members.
It is noted that, in commemoration of this splendid day, the Ecumenical Patriarch presented the Holy Eparchial Synod with a Holy Gospel, while the Archbishop, President of the Synod, reciprocated by awarding His All-Holiness the Medal of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Christ-loving with a Star. Subsequently, a similar medal was presented by the Patriarch, on behalf of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, to the accompanying Hierarchs, Their Eminences Metropolitans Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, and Filotheos of Thessaloniki.
Moreover, the medal of the Superior Commander of the Order of the Christ-loving was bestowed by His All-Holiness upon the Venerable God-loving Bishops, members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, other attending Hierarchs, the Grand Protosyncellus of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Gregory, the Grand Ecclesiarch and Director of the Personal Patriarchal Office, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Aetios, the Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, the Patriarchal Deacon Evlogios, the Nun Iakovi, Abbess of the Holy Monastery of St John the Baptist and Forerunner in Akritochori, the Archdeacon of the Holy Archdiocese, the Honourable Archon Didaskalos of the Nation Mr Konstantinos Delikostantis, the Honourable Archon Didaskalos of the Church Mr Theodoros Yiangou, Professor of Canon Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and member of the drafting team for the recently approved new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, and the Honourable Mr Themistocles Karanikolas, from the Patriarchal staff.
Before the conclusion of the Synodal Session, the Archbishop thanked His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, and all together chanted his “Pheme”.
