His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited the Saint Spyridon Monastery, located on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, on January 24.
The visit coincided with the twentieth-anniversary celebrations of the consecration of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Havana.
Accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, and Bishops Athenagoras of Myrina and Timotheos of Assos, the Archbishop was warmly welcomed by the monk Fr Makarios.
A large group of pilgrims, including Greek Americans and the Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia, Georgia Athanasopoulou, also joined the visit.
Inside the Katholikon, Archbishop Makarios venerated the holy icons and, together with the congregation, chanted the Apolytikion of Saint Spyridon and a prayer for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Following a Sanctification Service (Agiasmos), the Archbishop blessed and cut the Vasilopita of the monastery. One piece was dedicated to the people of Cuba, another to Haiti, and a third to Venezuela.
Before leaving, Archbishop Makarios spoke with local residents living near the monastery, offering a piece of Vasilopita to one family and engaging in a heartfelt conversation.
