Archbishop Makarios of Australia paid an official visit to the Greek island of Kastellorizo on Friday, September 2.
During the three day visit, Archbishop Makarios celebrated the marriage of a Greek Australian couple and connected with the over 200 Australians of Kastellorizian heritage who are currently on the island.
On arrival, the Archbishop was welcomed at the port by the political and military authorities of Kastellorizo including the Police Commander, the Vice President of the Consolidated Trust of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Theodosis Penklis, and the Secretary of the Archdiocesan Council, Nikolaos Papas.
A number of Greek Australian expatriates, local residents and the representative of His Eminence the Metropolitan Chrysostomou of Symi, Tilos, Chalkis and Kastellorizo, Father George Maltezos, was also present at the port.
During his visit, the Archbishop also had the opportunity to visit the island’s churches, monasteries and museums, before finally presiding over a Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 4 in the historic church of Saints Constantine and Helen.
In a speech after the liturgy, Archbishop Makarios thanked the local Pastor, Metropolitan Chrysostomou, and praised his successful pastoral work on the island. At the same time, he thanked the local political and military authorities, as well as the local islanders, for their welcome.
At the end of the Archbishop’s stay, he passed through the Greek island of Rhodes and met with the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes.
