His Grace Bishop Prodromos of Toliara and Southern Madagascar has issued a deeply moving statement following his recent visit to Australia, expressing profound gratitude to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA) and His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for their unwavering support of the Orthodox Mission in Madagascar.
Reflecting on his initial journey to Australia two years ago, Bishop Prodromos described a mixture of awe and apprehension as he arrived on the “unknown and distant Fifth Continent.”
He recounted, “Everything seemed new, and the size of things seemed inconceivable compared to Greece, and even more inconceivable when I compared them to the poor Southern Madagascar, where I humbly minister.”
Yet he found comfort in God’s guidance, recalling, “And then suddenly the story of Abraham came to my heart and the voice of God saying: ‘Go where I will show you.’”
Bishop Prodromos said his journey turned out to be “truly a miracle,” praising the paternal love of Archbishop Makarios and the generous spirit of the Australian Orthodox faithful.
At the heart of this miracle stands a newly established school complex in Southern Madagascar, now home to 510 children across primary, middle and high school levels. The Bishop described it as “a beacon of knowledge and hope… illuminating their future with the truth of learning.”
The school, aptly named “Archbishop Makarios,” was described as a gift born out of “selfless love.”
Bishop Prodromos noted, “In a gesture of love and fraternity, he [Archbishop Makarios] gifted the Holy Diocese of Toliara and Southern Madagascar an entire school complex, offering the children what they so desperately sought: an opportunity to learn, to develop, to dream of a better future and a better world.”
He continued: “This donation is not just a building. It is a living testimony of Christian brotherhood and solidarity, a work that proves that love knows no distances, borders, peoples and races.”
The Bishop painted a vivid image of the impact: “Today, within the halls of this school… 510 children laugh, write, read, dream. Children who once had no access to knowledge, hold books in their hands, form their first letters, gain hope.”
In his closing words, Bishop Prodromos said his more recent visit to Australia was a chance to offer his heartfelt thanks to the GOAA and Archbishop Makarios: “This donation is not just a gesture of charity; it is an investment in the souls of the children, a seed that will bear fruit in a society enlightened by knowledge and faith.”
He concluded with a humble call: “We are waiting for you, Your Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, in Toliara, to see the good works of your hands and to hear the ‘thank you’ of our children. This alone has value and not my own inarticulate words… We are forever grateful!”
