The 40th anniversary of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus’ episcopal consecration was celebrated in Sydney on Tuesday, September 30, during the official dinner marking the conclusion of the 2nd Pan-Australian Clergy Synaxis.
Metropolitan Apostolos, Abbot of the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint Anastasia Pharmakolytria in Chalkidiki, attended the Synaxis as the representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
He was warmly honoured by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who praised his “ethos, zeal for the concerns of the Church, and unwavering devotion to our Ecumenical Patriarchate and our Patriarch.”
Archbishop Makarios highlighted the Metropolitan’s long service and the renewal of his monastery, but stressed that his defining trait was “the nobility and ethos of the Phanar, the innate and unconditional devotion and trust in the Great Church of Christ.”
He described him as “among the very few elder Hierarchs of the Phanar who carry in their spiritual DNA the entire tradition, inheritance, and priceless treasure of the Great Church.”
The Archbishop also read a congratulatory letter from Patriarch Bartholomew before presenting the Metropolitan with an episcopal engolpion and hierarchal staff.
Moved by the tribute, Metropolitan Apostolos expressed his gratitude, remarking: “Until today I had two very good friends. Tonight I gained a third!”
