On Thursday, 28 March, the Deputy Minister of the Interior of Greece, Mr. Theodors Livanios, accompanied by the local Chief Shepherd, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, visited the Parish of Saint Spyridon in Kingsford, one of the most dynamic and historic Greek Orthodox parishes in Sydney.
Mr. Livanios, who is undertaking an official visit to Australia on the occasion of the celebrations for the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, also had the opportunity to communicate with the “flowers” of the Parish and the Greeks of the Australian Megapolis, Sydney, during his visit to Saint Spyridon College, Australia’s first Greek Orthodox Day School.
Upon their arrival at the most beautiful Church of Saint Spyridon, accompanied by the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr. Yannis Mallikourtis, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the visiting Minister from Greece were cordially received by the President of the Parish, Mr. Elia Economou, the Parish Priest, Father Steven Scoutas and the Assistant Parish Priest, Father Stavros Ivanos, and the Head of College, Mrs. Amelia Katsogiannis. Mr. Livanios was given a tour of the Parish grounds and was informed extensively about the works and the various activities it implements.
The visit ended at the premises of the Primary School of the College of Saint Spyridon, where its students and teachers were celebrating Harmony Week, an institution dedicated to the multiculturalism of Australian society. The children welcomed their dignified visitors by singing the National Anthems of Greece and Australia, as well as the Apolytikion of Saint Paisios the Hagiorite, Patron Saint of Australia and the Holy Archdiocese.
Archbishop Makarios, visibly moved by the special reception of the students, spoke to them about the life and virtues of Saint Paisios and addressed them offering paternal advice. The Deputy Minister of the Interior of Greece, Mr. Livanios, appeared similarly moved, but also excited by his communication with the Greek children.
Revealing, in fact, that within the next year the Prime Minister of the Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Australia, Mr. Livanios promised to convey to him the beautiful impressions and experiences that he himself obtained, so that the Parish and the College of Saint Spyridon would be included in the program of the Prime Minister’s visit.
At the end, Mr. Livanios thanked everyone for the warm hospitality they offered him, while he congratulated the leadership of the Parish for the important work they undertake, as well as personally thanking the Archbishop of Australia for his sacrificial and fruitful pastorate for Orthodoxy and Hellenism of the fifth continent.
