The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia convened on Tuesday, January 20, under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, to address the matters on its agenda.
During the meeting, the Council unanimously expressed its condemnation and revulsion at what it described as an unbecoming attack by Russian state intelligence services against Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Council reaffirmed that the Mother Church, under the leadership of His All-Holiness, continues to fulfil its historic and canonical mission for the stability, peace, and unity of the Orthodox Church, acting within the framework of the sacred Canons and Holy Tradition and independent of political expediencies.
The Archdiocesan Council further warned that such actions undermine Orthodox ecclesiology and the unity of the ecclesial body, expressing concern over the dangers of ethnophyletism and the politicisation of Church life.
In a related development, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia, which convened in an extraordinary session on the same day under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios, also issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as an unprecedented attack by the Press Office of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) against the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The Holy Eparchial Synod denounced the accusations as false, immoral, and unbecoming, stating that they were aimed at diminishing the moral authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch and legitimising actions directed against the Mother Church and the unity of Orthodoxy. In particularly strong language, the Synod asserted that the Patriarchate of Moscow is now presented as an extension of the Russian state apparatus, serving the Kremlin’s foreign policy objectives through the ideology of the so-called “Russian World.”
The Synod further affirmed that Archbishop Makarios and the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod continue to pray for His All-Holiness and for the uninterrupted continuation of his ministry, which it described as sacrificial and historically vital to the life of the Orthodox Church worldwide.
The Archdiocesan Council also enthusiastically endorsed the proclamation by Archbishop Makarios designating the current year as the “Year of Patriarch Bartholomew.” It unanimously resolved that all halls, buildings, and philanthropic institutions to be erected and inaugurated throughout Australia in 2026 will bear the name of Patriarch Bartholomew.
Additionally, the Council confirmed its decision to participate in celebratory events in honour of the Ecumenical Patriarch to be organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in Constantinople this October.
With particular satisfaction, the Council welcomed the commencement of the new Master of Greek Philosophy programme at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, congratulating the institution on its continued academic development and highlighting the Archdiocese’s commitment to the preparation of future clergy and lay leaders.
The meeting concluded with the members of both ecclesiastical bodies extending warm wishes to Archbishop Makarios and offering thanks to God for the continued progress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia under his leadership.
