On Wednesday 9th October, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew paid a visit to the NSW Parliament House accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, the Grand Ecclesiarch Archimandrite Aetios, Director of the Personal Patriarchal Office, and Archdeacon Athenagoras of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
They were welcomed by the Premier of New South Wales, Mr Chris Minns, who led them to the Premier’s Office where they held a cordial and fruitful discussion in the presence of the Ministers for Small Business, Lands and Property, and Multiculturalism, Mr Steve Kamper; Finance, Domestic Manufacturing, Government Procurement, and Natural Resources, Ms Courtney Houssos; and Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety, Ms Sophie Cotsis.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked the Premier of New South Wales for his honourable presence at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated this past Sunday at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, as well as for the excellent cooperation between his Government and the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
For his part, Mr Minns congratulated the Ecumenical Patriarch for his tireless efforts and contributions in defending peace and protecting the natural environment.
At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were exchanged between the Patriarch and the Premier.
