On Monday, 22 July, the Archdiocesan Council of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia convened in Sydney, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, having as the primary topic of discussion, the upcoming Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Australia (October 4-19). All the matters of importance related to the preparation for the reception and hospitality of the Ecumenical Patriarch were examined and the appropriate decisions were taken.
Also, the whole Archdiocesan Council collectively expressed warm thanks to the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Holy and Sacred Synod of thr Ecumenical Patriarchate, for their beneficial decisions relating to the Orthodox Church in Australia, regarding the establishment of six Holy Dioceses and the establishment of the Holy Eparchial Synod. With feelings of joy and jubilation, the Archdiocesan Council thanked His All-Holiness for His response and the favourable acceptance of the relevant decisions of the previous and current composition of the Archdiocesan Council regarding the administration of the Archdiocese, a sign of His unwavering and loving paternal interest in the ecclesiastical province and the Christ-loving people of Australia. In fact, the members of the Council unanimously recognised that the above historical events, included in the wider part of the approval of the new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, which they eagerly await, constitute a springboard for the further progress of the Archdiocese, the assurance of unity and the entry into the new century.
As well, the entire Archdiocesan Council welcomed Their Graces the Regional Bishops (Chorepiskopoi), Bishop Elpidios of Perth, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Bishop Evmenios of Chora and Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, wishing that their ministry would be blessed and fruitful, to the glory of God and the benefit of the plenitude of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Earlier, the members of the Council attended the Service of the ‘Mega Minima’, the formal announcement of the election of the new Regional Bishops, with feelings of great emotion and joy, at the Church of Saint Spyridon in Kingsford.
Furthermore, the Archdiocesan Council unanimously declared its confidence in the Mother Church, His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch and His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and expressed its firm belief that the future of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia can only be secured by the observance of the Holy Canons, which do not permit the administration of ecclesiastical affairs by lay people.
Finally, the Archdiocesan Council expressed its gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the honorary dedication to the Greek Orthodox flock of Australia of this year’s 2024 Calendar to the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
Monday 22 July 2024
From the Archdiocesan Council
