Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, met with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Tuesday, October 7, during the first day of his official visit to Australia and New Zealand.
Loverdos visited the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in Sydney, where he was welcomed by Their Graces Bishops Athenagoras of Canberra, Iakovos of Miletoupolis, and Christodoulos of Magnesia, who gave him a tour of the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
At the Archdiocesan Offices, Archbishop Makarios briefed the Deputy Minister on the Archdiocese’s wide-ranging work, particularly its efforts to strengthen ties between the Greek diaspora and their homeland.
Discussions also focused on the needs of the diaspora and future collaboration between the Greek State and the Archdiocese.
The meeting was also attended by Greek Ambassador to Australia Stavros Venizelos, Consul General of Greece in Sydney George Skemperis, and the Secretaries General of the Interior Ministry, Athanasios Balermpas and Dimitrios Karnavos, who are accompanying the minister on his tour.
Before departing, Loverdos held a private discussion with Archbishop Makarios addressing matters concerning Church and State relations.
