Archbishop Makarios recognises the role of women on International Women’s Day

·

In a message to mark International Women’s Day 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has praised the holiest woman, the Virgin Mary, while also recognising “the important and the multi-dimensional role of all women.”

Full Message in English:

For the whole Christian world and especially for us Orthodox Christians, the holiest and most respected human person is Panagia, the Virgin Mary. We respect, honour and express our gratitude to the Most Holy Theotokos, who contributed to the fulfillment of the divine Incarnation and, through it, paved the way for our salvation.

Praising and glorifying the Virgin Mary, the woman who united earth with heaven, we cannot but simultaneously recognise both the important and the multi-dimensional role of all women, in family, in our society, in humanity as a whole.

Today, on the occasion of the internationally agreed date that is dedicated to women’s rights, we are called to ponder our duty to build a world without discrimination between males and females, without contempt, without oppression, without exploitation of women; a world with absolute respect for our neighbour, whoever they may be.

Apostle Paul reminds us, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” and inspires us to struggle daily with dedication, and in every aspect of our lives and in our daily routines, for the elimination of discrimination and inequality.

“… for you are all one in Christ Jesus…”!

Full Message in Greek:

Για όλον τον Χριστιανικό κόσμο και ειδικώς για εμάς τους Ορθόδοξους Χριστιανούς το ιερότερο και σεβαστότερο ανθρώπινο πρόσωπο είναι η Παναγία. Σεβόμαστε, τιμούμε και καταθέτουμε την ευγνωμοσύνη μας στην Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο, η οποία συνέβαλε στην πραγμάτωση της Θείας Ενανθρωπήσεως και, δια αυτής, άνοιξε τον δρόμο για τη Σωτηρία μας.

Υμνώντας και δοξάζοντας την Παναγία, τη γυναίκα που ένωσε τη γη με τον ουρανό, δεν μπορούμε παρά να αναγνωρίζουμε ταυτόχρονα τον σπουδαίο και πολυδιάστατο ρόλο όλων των γυναικών, στην οικογένεια, στην κοινωνία μας, συνολικά στην ανθρωπότητα.

Σήμερα, με αφορμή μια συμβατική ημερομηνία, που είναι αφιερωμένη στα δικαιώματα των γυναικών, καλούμαστε να αναλογιστούμε το χρέος μας για την οικοδόμηση ενός κόσμου δίχως διακρίσεις ανάμεσα στα φύλα, δίχως περιφρόνηση, δίχως καταπίεση, δίχως εκμετάλλευση σε βάρος της γυναίκας. Ενός κόσμου με απόλυτο σεβασμό στο πρόσωπο του πλησίον, όποιο κι αν είναι αυτό.

“Οὐκ ἔνι Ἰουδαῖος οὐδὲ Ἕλλην, οὐκ ἔνι δοῦλος οὐδὲ ἐλεύθερος, οὐκ ἔνι ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ· πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ”, μάς υπενθυμίζει ο Απόστολος Παύλος, και μάς εμπνέει να αγωνιστούμε με αφοσίωση, κάθε μέρα και σε κάθε έκφανση της ζωής και της καθημερινότητάς μας, για τον σκοπό της εξάλειψης των διακρίσεων και των ανισοτήτων.

“Πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ…”!

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin threatens legal action over octopus dispute

The Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin is threatening legal action against the NT Government following a food safety dispute over octopus.

Meet the Greek sisters behind Adora: A 30-year legacy of handmade chocolate and heart

If you’re looking for a new spot in Sydney to satisfy your sweet cravings, Adora Handmade Chocolates is the place to be.

Young artists shine in ‘First Light’ exhibition at opening of That Art Place in Carlton

More than 65 young artists from the St George area in Sydney had their creative moment in the spotlight on Saturday, July 12.

Peter Tsolakides leads Australia’s first cryonics facility amid scientific doubts

Peter Tsolakides, founder of Southern Cryonics, is leading Australia's venture into cryonic preservation with a facility near Holbrook, NSW.

Kazzi Beach Greek owner Peter Papas criticises proposed RBA surcharge ban

Sydney restaurateur Peter Papas has raised concerns over the Reserve Bank of Australia’s proposal to ban credit and debit card surcharges.

You May Also Like

Aussies told missing embryos transported to Cretan hospital amid surrogacy scandal

Australians have been told their sperm, eggs and embryos from a controversial surrogacy clinic in Greece might not have not been compromised.

OXI Day message to the Greek diaspora by Kostas Vlasis

Σήμερα o απανταχού Ελληνισμός γιορτάζει. Είναι η μέρα, που η Ελλάδα µας ύψωσε το ανάστημά της και βροντοφώναξε "ΟΧΙ" ενάντια στον ωμό και αυθάδη εκβιασμό-...

Paula Amos reflects on her travels through the Mani Peninsula and Laconia

For those looking for an authentic Greek holiday experience it doesn’t get much better than exploring the southern Peloponnese.