“I am the happiest man in the world,” His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told the Imbrians of Melbourne during a gathering at the parish of Taxiarchon, Parkdale, on Saturday, October 12. “Last night I was with the Imbrians of Sydney and tonight I am with the Imbrians of Melbourne and Adelaide.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit was a significant event for the Melbourne-based Imbrian community. His brother, Nikos Archondonis, was present, though Mrs Archondonis was at home, busily preparing for their family dinner. Nikos had a front row seat, bursting at the seams with pride as he watched his brother being showered with the love of the community.
He has come a long way since then. From village boy, he now speaks seven languages and meets with heads of state.
The Ecumenical Patriarch arrived in Melbourne on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s private jet, a gesture that, according to His All-Holiness, symbolises the Australian government’s respect for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its historical importance. It also shows respect towards His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Imbrian Society President Arthur Pinirou emphasised the profound impact of the Patriarch’s visit, linking it to the Albanese Government’s announcement for $25 million towards major restoration works at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese at Cleveland Street, Redfern.
As the president of an Imbrian group, Mr Pinirou expressed his gratitude at the hard work Patriarch Bartholomew is putting in to help the island; working tirelessly to preserve cultural heritage, religious practices and rights.
“He has worked to keep close ties between the Greek community on Imbros and the Greek diaspora,” Mr Pinirou said, adding that he got to know the Patriarch well before he took on the top role.
“I knew him when he was still Dimitris and my sister married his brother, Antonis. He has always been humble and approachable. We’ll talk about Imbros and he puts people at ease.”
Chris Pinirou carries a digital photo of himself on the Patriarch’s lap when His All-Holiness was not yet a leader. He keeps it with him “for flex.” He admits not remembering much from the picture, adding his first real memory of the Patriarch was at the age of 14, during a visit to Istanbul.
“He showed us a room with portraits of previous Patriarchs and other objects. He was very nice and just a normal person, and even tells jokes,” Chris said.
Pefka Psarou from Panagia, the capital of Imbros, expressed her admiration for the Patriarch’s faith and patriotism.
“He was a serious and studious young man, and it didn’t come as a surprise that he became Patriarch,” she said. “I firmly believe he is the true leader of Imbros, and he has worked so hard to reopen schools, and keep the community coming back. I don’t know what will become of us without him.”
Ms Psarou said many people left Imbros due to the lack of Greek schools.
“Education was no longer available in Greek and many of us left for this reason,” she said.
Spiros, a former classmate, shared the same desk as Patriarch Bartholomew when they were children. He praised the Patriarch on his advocacy work in reopening the school they both attended.
The Ecumenical Patriarch encouraged those present to keep returning to Imbros, “If we don’t show an interest in our island, who will?” he asked. “As long as we return to our place, renovate our houses and return to our birthplace permanently, the oil that burns the lantern of our country will burn bright.”
He praised the Imbrians of the diaspora for remembering their homeland, and was gifted a number of items including traditional Imbrian shoes. More importantly, the Imbrian community gathered funds to send back to Imbros for the purpose of furthering education on the island.
Zoe, Arthur, and Paras, three young dancers at the event, were honoured to receive crosses from the Patriarch. They emphasised the importance of connecting with their culture and keeping their religion alive.
Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, accompanying the Patriarch on his visit, said, “When we were in Imbros, the kids from Schinoudi reminded me that we’d meet again soon, and here we are, and their children would return and this continue,” he said, while also pointing to Archbishop Makarios as an honorary Imbrian after having written a book about Imbros and due to the fact that his brother “snatched an Imbrian girl.”
Both Metropolitan Kyrillos and the Patriarch urged those present to keep returning to the island.
“It is unlikely that I can come back to Australia again, but I urge you to revisit Imbros,” the Patriarch concluded.
* All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.
