The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has welcomed two new members to its clerical family, with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia ordaining Subdeacon Panayioti Constanti and monk Fr Theophylaktos to the Holy Diaconate during services held across Sydney on consecutive days.
The first ordination took place on Saturday, June 20, at the Church of All Saints in Belmore, where Subdeacon Panayioti, a graduate of Saint Andrew’s Theological College, was ordained during the Divine Liturgy.
Among those attending were His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and numerous clergy from across Sydney, including Protopresbyter Fr Peter Mavrommatis, the spiritual father of the ordinand.
Before his ordination, Subdeacon Panayioti expressed gratitude to God and to Archbishop Makarios for his guidance and support.
“I am deeply inspired by Your Eminence’s desire that all those outside the Church may come into the Church, as well as by the compassion and love that you show to all people,” he said.
“Through my ministry, I hope to contribute, even in a humble way, to this work.”
In his address, Archbishop Makarios spoke of the significance of the priesthood and expressed confidence in the ordinand’s preparedness for ministry.
“Today, I receive you into the first degree of the priesthood,” the Archbishop said.
“I have many and firm hopes that you will become a good and worthy clergyman, who will serve with discernment and integrity the holy Altar and our Church.”
The Archbishop reflected on Panayioti’s lifelong commitment to the Church, noting his service as an altar server, chanter and teacher of Byzantine music, as well as his involvement in parish youth activities and charitable initiatives. He also highlighted his theological formation, family life and dedication to preparing for the priesthood.
Concluding his remarks, Archbishop Makarios encouraged Subdeacon Panayioti to place his trust in Christ.
“Entrust everything to the rock spoken of in today’s Gospel, the rock which is Christ,” he said.
The following day, on Sunday, June 21, Archbishop Makarios ordained Fr Theophylaktos to the Holy Diaconate at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Sydney, assisted by Their Graces Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia and Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta.
Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Fr Theophylaktos entered monastic life at the age of 18 and trained under Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol in Cyprus before relocating to Sydney, where he is currently studying at Saint Andrew’s Theological College.
Addressing the newly ordained deacon, Archbishop Makarios emphasised the importance of obedience, humility and spiritual discipline in clerical life.
“Within the monastery, we learn the life of obedience, offering, forgiveness and coexistence with others,” he said.
“The virtue of obedience is essential for everyone within the Church and not only for monks.”
The Archbishop explained that he had chosen to bestow upon the new deacon the name Theophylaktos in honour of the late Metropolitan Theophylaktos Papathanassopoulos of Australia and New Zealand, noting the former hierarch’s commitment to maintaining the canonical order of the Church.
“The greatest and most important quality for a clergyman, and especially for a monk, is neither academic study, nor degrees, nor eloquence, nor a beautiful voice,” Archbishop Makarios said.
“The greatest virtue is obedience to the Church.”
He also urged Fr Theophylaktos to remain humble, avoid worldly attachments and serve with compassion toward the poor and vulnerable.
Archbishop Makarios said the new deacon’s background as the child of immigrants would be an asset in his ministry.
“It is important for the Hellenism of Australia that you were born and raised in Montreal, Canada,” he said.
“This means that you understand the struggles of immigrants and of ordinary hardworking people who left their homeland in search of a better future.”
The ordinations mark the latest additions to the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, as both men begin their ministries in service to the Church and its faithful.
