The 2nd Pan-Australian Clergy Synaxis officially opened in Sydney on Monday, 29 September 2025, under the auspices of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA), with the theme: “Social Media and the Priesthood: The Use of Social Media by the Clergy.”
The opening service was held at the Parish–Community of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah, where the Service of the Blessing of the Waters (Agiasmos) was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Abbot of the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St Anastasia Pharmakolytria in Chalkidiki.
Following the service, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed the participants and distinguished speakers.
A prerecorded video message from the Ecumenical Patriarch was then shown, followed by an address from Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, who officially declared the commencement of the Synaxis.
Warm greetings were also delivered by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth, representing the Holy Eparchial Synod; Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Fr Miltiadis Chryssavgis, on behalf of the local clergy; and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, on behalf of Greece.
The opening keynote address was delivered by Archbishop Makarios, who spoke on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Church.” His address set the tone for three days of theological reflection on the Church’s mission and responsibility within the digital landscape.
