With the blessing and canonical permission of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand visited Adelaide, accompanied by Archimandrite Meletios Pantic of the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand, sharing in the common vision and missionary work across the South Pacific.
On Sunday, 7 December 2025, the Tenth Sunday of St Matthew, Metropolitan Myron presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saint Dimitrios Salisbury, assisted by Archimandrite Fr Meletios Pantic, Protopresbyter Fr Stavros Psaromatis and parish priest Fr Michael Psaromatis.
The church was filled with families, children, youth and parishioners, and many approached to receive Holy Communion. The chanting was reverent, the participation heartfelt, and the atmosphere joyful and spiritual, reflecting the unity and love of the faithful gathered for worship.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish of St Dimitrios Salisbury hosted a Fundraising Lunch in support of the Orthodox Mission in Fiji Tonga and Samoa. A generous and beautifully prepared meal awaited the faithful, prepared by the Philoptochos, the Parish Council and volunteers who worked quietly and lovingly.
The hall filled quickly, and people remained well into the afternoon, sharing fellowship, speaking about the mission and offering donations with open hearts.
Through this outpouring of faith and generosity, the remarkable amount of $120,000 AUD was raised, a witness to the missionary zeal and compassion of Saint Dimitrios Parish Salisbury, which has faithfully supported the Orthodox Mission in the Pacific over the last three years, together with faithful from parts of the wider Adelaide community who also contributed lovingly to this effort.
It was emphasised that every gift, great or small, becomes hope, nourishment and assistance for families and children throughout the Pacific. Through the tireless efforts of the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand, the Mission continues to provide food, clothing, school supplies, medicine, pastoral care, catechetical instruction and welfare support.
The work sustains Saint Tabitha Orphanage in Saweni, supports parish ministry, youth formation, outreach to remote villages and educational development where resources are limited, yet faith is strong.
Drawing from past missionary experiences, it was remembered that in Fiji the Orthodox faith is not merely spoken, it is lived. It lives in humble chapels where oil lamps burn before icons, in meals of cassava shared with love, in children chanting the Creed, in prayer under the shade of palm trees and in the simple offering of those who give even from their poverty. The mission grows through presence, sacrifice and prayer, through the gift of time, love and service.
At the close of the event, Metropolitan Myron expressed heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop Makarios for his fatherly blessing and guidance, and to His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide for his pastoral support and continued encouragement of missionary outreach.
With equal warmth he thanked Fr Michael and Presvytera Stavroula for their 13 years of service to the Orthodox Mission in the Pacific, as well as Fr Stavros, Presvytera Kyriaki and their family, who continue to strengthen and support the work of the Church in the region.
He also extended sincere thanks to the Philoptochos, Parish Council and all volunteers, honouring their dedication, labour and philotimo, without which the Fundraising Lunch and its missionary offering would not have been possible.
His Eminence concluded with a prayer that God grant health, peace and spiritual blessing to all who contributed, and that the missionary work of the Church in the South Pacific may continue to bear much fruit.
The day ended in an atmosphere of joy, unity and deep gratitude, leaving a living message of hope: that when generosity is joined to prayer, the Mission blossoms and Christ becomes known among His people.
