Archbishop Makarios makes historic visit to Saint Eleftherios Church in Melbourne

·

The Great Hierarchical Vespers for the feast of Saint Eleftherios the Hieromartyr was celebrated at the Church of Saint Eleftherios in Brunswick, Melbourne on Saturday, December 14.

The service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, marking a historic milestone as it was the first time since its founding in 1968 that an Archbishop had visited the church.

The Archbishop was welcomed by the faithful, with youth presenting him with a bouquet of flowers at the church entrance.

Parish priest Father Kyriakos Peripetsakis and Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), both highlighted the significance of the Archbishop’s visit and the occasion. Mr Papastergiadis also emphasised the importance of unity and solidarity in the community, and stressed the role of past President Dimitrios Elefantis in the establishment of the church.

In his address, Archbishop Makarios spoke with deep emotion about the importance of unity for the advancement of Orthodoxy and Hellenism, offering blessings for the church and its families.

The Vespers service was attended by several dignitaries, including His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, and His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, who delivered the sermon at the Archbishop’s request.

Their Graces Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Evmenios of Chora, as well as Ioannis Chrysoulakis, Greece’s former Secretary General of Greeks Abroad, were also present.

The event marked a historic and deeply emotional moment for the church and the Greek Orthodox community of Melbourne.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Dr Christos Theologos: ‘Dance keeps us bound to our roots, from Chios to Sydney’

As part of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, respected folklorist Dr Christos Theologos will lead a series of lectures and workshops.

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

A second chance at life: Angelo Alateras’ journey from mechanical heart to transplant hope

After years on life support, 80kgs lost, and 615 days of physio, Angelo finally received the gift of a new heart.

You May Also Like

Teenager charged with murder of Melbourne father Paul Grapsas

An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Geelong father-of-two Paul Grapsas. Read more today.

Hellenic flavour at Assyrian New Year festival in Sydney

The Senior Dancers of Sydney's Pontoxeniteas NSW were special guests at this year's Assyrian New Year festival in western Sydney on Sunday.

Cultural integration of the Greeks in Australia

From 1898, the effort began to teach the Greek language sporadically in restaurant lofts and rooms behind fish shops and bakeries.