The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, has been awarded the highest honorary distinction of the Greek Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA) — the medal of the Order of the Christ-Loving.
The award was presented by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia during a grand Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy held on Sunday, December 15, at the Holy Monastery of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in Melbourne, Victoria.
This significant event, which drew a large congregation of clergy, community leaders, and the faithful, was also attended by the former Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Chrysoulakis.
During the service, Archbishop Makarios expressed his gratitude to Mr Kakavelakis for his four years of dedicated service in Melbourne. His Eminence commended the Consul General’s exemplary work in strengthening ties between the Greek community and the GOAA, noting the Consul’s impeccable cooperation and unwavering support.
“Always here in Australia, you will have many brothers, sisters and friends, and a home, which is the Holy Archdiocese, whose doors will always be open,” Archbishop Makarios assured the Consul General.
Mr Kakavelakis’ service in Melbourne will soon come to an end as he departs to undertake a new diplomatic mission in Syria, having been elevated to the rank of Ambassador.
The ceremony also marked the historic transfer of the holy relics of the Four Holy New Martyrs of Rethymno — Saints Manuel, Angelos, George, and Nicholas — to the Holy Monastery of “Axion Esti”. The reliquary was handed over by His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, with the relics set to remain at the monastery as a source of blessing for pilgrims and the Greek Orthodox faithful in Melbourne, Victoria, and across Australia.
