The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has marked a historic milestone with the enthronement of His Grace Bishop Athinagoras as the first Bishop of Canberra.
The ceremony took place on December 6 at Saint Nicholas Church in Kingston, attended by Hierarchs, clergy, diplomatic representatives and hundreds of faithful.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who presided over the service, praised the new Bishop as a spiritually gifted leader adorned with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
He urged him to remain devoted to the Church and to prioritise unity, saying: “Become one body and one soul with our good clergy and with the wonderful people of the Holy Diocese of Canberra.”
Offering the Patriarch’s blessings, the Archbishop added: “May you live many years, Your Grace Bishop Athinagoras… ‘a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of self-control.’ Axios!” The congregation echoed “Axios!” enthusiastically.
Present were members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, assistant bishops, and diplomatic representatives including the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, and the High Commissioner of Cyprus, Antonios Sammoutis. Parish President John Loukadellis also attended.
Source: Orthodox Times.
