The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra (GOCCC) welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Kingston on Friday, August 8.
His Eminence was accompanied by the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Father Christophoros Krikelis.
GOCCC President John Loukadellis and parish priest Father Petros Kipouros gave His Eminence a tour of the newly refurbished community hall behind the church, which hosts up to 100 parishioners each Sunday for coffee and sweets after the Divine Liturgy. The space will be utilised by St Basil’s NSW & ACT for its Home Care packages.
Archbishop Makarios was also shown the progress of the church’s iconography project, which began in 2020 and is now nearing completion.
“Our church is starting to take shape and will look magnificent once completed,” Mr Loukadellis said.
Discussions during the visit covered the upcoming election of a Bishop for the Canberra District, the future of the church, and initiatives to strengthen faith, language, and culture in the nation’s capital.
Archbishop Makarios confirmed he will return to Canberra to attend the parish’s feast day for St Nicholas on December 6, and pledged to share further developments for the community as they arise.
