The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia opened its extraordinary session on Thursday, August 21 under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
In a statement following its proceedings, the Holy Synod expressed “joy and satisfaction” at the favourable outcome of a protracted legal case concerning the ownership of an icon of Saint Andrew the Apostle.
According to the statement, the Archdiocese had been forced to pursue the matter through both the Australian civil courts and the Greek criminal justice system after the sacred relic was unlawfully claimed by another party.
Both jurisdictions ruled in favour of the Archdiocese and its Consolidated Trust, confirming them as the rightful custodians of the icon and ordering its return.
The statement publicly thanked the Archdiocese’s legal counsel, Stylianos Katselis, for his “responsible, coordinated, and successful handling” of the case.
The Synod described the decision as a blessing for the faithful across Australia, noting that the victory coincides with the current Synodal sessions and the Fifth Theological Symposium of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council.
The icon of Saint Andrew will be placed for public veneration on Sunday, August 24, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney during the Synodal Divine Liturgy, which will also conclude the anniversary celebrations organised by the Archdiocese and St Andrew’s Theological College.
