Parishioners, both young and old, flocked to the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah in Sydney’s south on Wednesday, October 9 to joyfully welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his historic visit.
When the Ecumenical Patriarch arrived on the night, he was greeted by rows of children lined up on the church stairs wearing t-shirts which spelled out the message ‘Your All-Holiness, we love you’ in Greek. The Ecumenical Patriarch greeted all the children with a smile and blessed them happily.
After the singing of the National Anthems of Greece and Australia by a choir and band featuring students from All Saints Grammar at Belmore, His All-Holiness addressed the hundreds of faithful who had gathered outside the church.
He began by emotionally recalling his previous visit to the Kogarah parish 28 years ago and praised God for granting him the opportunity to return for a second time to a place where the “heart” of Hellenism and Orthodoxy beats strongly.
“The cornerstone of this thriving community,” the Ecumenical Patriarch noted, “was – and continues to be – the Greek Orthodox church… which has played a vital role in maintaining a cultural connection with the homeland and fostering a sense of belonging among the Greek Orthodox faithful.”
His All-Holiness later highlighted the Parish’s contribution to the broader society, through its active involvement in charitable activities, support for schools and hospitals, and engagement in other community initiatives, as well as its cultural “openness” to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Following his speech, His All-Holiness admired the younger generation of the Parish, who performed and sang in his honour.
He then entered the church, deeply moved, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, their Eminences Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos and Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, parish priest Father Athanasios Giatsios, and other Bishops and clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).
Official VIP guests also present included the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; the Federal Member for Banks, David Coleman; the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper; the Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure; Georges River Councillor, Sam Stratikopoulos; President of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah, Nicholas Varvaris; and Vice President of the Parish-Community, Christos Georgiou.
Bishop Christodoulos addressed His All-Holiness with words of gratitude on behalf of everyone before members of the Parish-Community Board presented him with a portrait of himself.
The Ecumenical Patriarch, responding, once again recalled memories of his visit to Kogarah in 1996, and mentioned the humble personality of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, later a Saint of the Orthodox Church and Patron of the GOAA.
He also referred to the 70 saints who have been added to the Church’s calendar during his Patriarchy, calling it a blessing from God and an enrichment of spirituality.
The event ended with the presentation of gifts from the Ecumenical Patriarch to Bishop Christodoulos, Father Athanasios, and other clergy. Numerous uplifting hymns were chanted by everyone gathered, creating an atmosphere of joy and hope for the future.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
