Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia: Bishop Aimilianos of Meloa ordained on Christmas Day

·

This year, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia shared two celebrations on December 25th, Christmas Day as well as the ordainment of Bishop Aimilianos of Meloa.

The Holy Cathedral of Annunciation in Sydney was packed with devout Christians as the Divine Liturgy was performed. During the liturgy, Bishop Aimilianos was ordained in honour of his spiritual father, the blessed Elder Aimilianos from Simonos Petras monastery.

Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevastia, Bishops Ezekiel of Dervis, Iakovos of Miletoupolis, and Michael from the Romanian Orthodox Church. Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea, Bishop Silouan of Sinope, and many Australian clergymen attended the Divine Liturgy.

Among the attendees were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, and his wife, Trade Commissioner of Greece for Australia and New Zealand, Ms Katia Gkikiza.

Before the ordination, His Eminence Makarios made a heartfelt speech about Christ, the Holy Spirit and the meaning of Christmas.

“We rejoice and glorify the Triune God from the very muscles of our existence,” he noted, “for this great blessing and special joy to bring together today…the Nativity verses and Pentecostal paradoxes. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.”

Archbishop Makarios advised the new Bishop of Meloa to worship the Church and lead with humility and love.

The ordainment of the Bishop was chosen on Christmas Day from a tradition that stemmed 46 years prior. The Ecumenical Patriarch of the Metropolitan of Philadelphia was ordained by the Ecumenical Patriarchal Church of St George in Fanari in 1973. The common anniversary was aimed to spiritually connect the new Bishop with the Great Patriarch of the Church of Constantinople forever.

The ordained Bishop expressed his gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Bishops who constitute the Holy Synod for his election. He then addressed His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, with loving words of appreciation.

“My confidence in your person from the outset was accompanied by respect for the magnitude of your love for the human face,” he said, characterising the Archbishop as a source of inspiration and a role model.

In a climate of deep emotion, Bishop Aimilianos of Meloa received the Hierarchical Miter and the rod from the hands of His Eminence Makarios, while the faithful repeatedly and enthusiastically exclaimed “AXIOS”.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Magna Graecia – Part 6: The eternal return

Across this series, we have journeyed through the Greek settlements of southern Italy, tracing how Hellenic civilisation spread.

Kiato: Greece’s seaside town loved by locals and the diaspora

Kiato is a seaside town, about 25 kilometres from Korinthos on the northern coast of the Peloponnese. On the national highway.

Changing your name and surname abroad and in Greece

It is generally known that in Greece to live and work many foreigners have acquired Greek citizenship by naturalisation or by determination.

Action over inertia: Building the future of the Greek diaspora in Australia

It is necessary that we now be led to the need of finding mechanisms that will halt the demographic withering, the social inertia and the cultural thinning.

Costeen Hatzi opens up on life after Nick Kyrgios split

Costeen Hatzi has spent her summer in Europe, enjoying her first overseas girls’ trip, a milestone that carried extra meaning for her.

You May Also Like

Excavations in Kent unearth statue of the Greek sea god Triton

A statue of the Greek God Triton has recently been discovered during excavations for a new housing development in Teynham, Kent.

Cyprus marks 51 years since invasion as Erdogan sparks controversy with two-state remarks

Cyprus marked the 51st anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 invasion, with solemn memorials in the south and controversial celebrations in the north.

Dedes Waterfront Group to take over operations at exclusive yacht club in Sydney

Dedes Waterfront Group is set to take the helm of dining operations at the exclusive Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay.