His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 31, at the historic Church of Saint Sophia (Holy Wisdom of God) in Paddington, Sydney.
The service marked the Archbishop’s first official visit to the church, which served as the first Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and was recognised in 2020 as a site of national heritage significance by Australian authorities.
In his address following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Makarios reflected emotionally on the historic importance of the church, describing it as the “heart” of the local Church for many decades and a witness to some of the most significant moments in the history of the Archdiocese.
The Pentecost celebrations were attended by the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), Con Apoifis, together with members of the Board of Directors, the Church Sub-Committee and clergy from neighbouring Greek Orthodox parishes across Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios welcomed the newly elected administration of the GOCNSW, expressing confidence that its term of service would be both blessed and fruitful.
“I will be at your disposal and by your side whenever you need me, and I know that you, too, will stand by our Archdiocese, and together we shall move forward in unity,” the Archbishop said.
Linking the message of cooperation to the Feast of Pentecost, His Eminence noted that the descent of the Holy Spirit united the Apostles in a shared mission to proclaim the word of God to the world.
Addressing the leadership of the GOCNSW, he added: “May everything you do be guided by the illumination of the All-Holy Spirit.”
The Archbishop also thanked Fr Stavros Agoroudis, Parish Priest of the Church of Saint Sophia, for his devoted ministry.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance was the Honorary Consul-General of Greece in Queensland, George Mastrocostas, accompanied by his wife Ermioni, whom Archbishop Makarios welcomed and thanked for their presence at the feast day celebrations.
In a statement following the event, GOCNSW President Con Apoifis expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to attend the event, reaffirming the Community’s ongoing commitment to supporting the cultural, educational and community life of Greek Australians.
Pentecost is regarded as one of the most significant feasts in the Orthodox Christian calendar and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
