His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has praised the work of the St Elesa Food Initiative during its Annual Charity Dinner in Sydney, describing it as a powerful example of compassion and sacrifice in modern society.
“The spirit of compassion is still alive in our society, and the willingness to sacrifice for others has not disappeared from the modern world,” His Eminence said during the event, held on Saturday, May 30, by the Parish and Community of the Resurrection of Christ, Our Lady of Myrtles, and Saint Elesa in Kogarah.
Archbishop Makarios thanked and blessed supporters, volunteers, donors and organisers of the initiative, which assists individuals and families experiencing hardship. He particularly praised His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Fr Athanasios Giatsios, Fr Socrates Dokos and members of the Parish Philoptochos Association for their dedication to charitable service.
Referring to the Feast of Pentecost, the Archbishop stressed that the work of the Holy Spirit continues within the Church today.
“The Holy Spirit is alive and continues to act within the Church today, sanctifying, strengthening, guiding, and inspiring us so that we may become instruments of God’s love in the world,” he said.
Highlighting growing economic hardship, His Eminence said: “Sadly, behind many closed doors there is suffering that remains unseen by the rest of society. As Christians, we cannot ignore this distress. The love of the Gospel is not theoretical; it is practical and expressed through sacrifice.”
He added that the St Elesa Initiative “embodies precisely this spirit of love and self-sacrifice” through the generosity of donors and volunteers.
The Archbishop concluded by encouraging attendees “to continue working together in a spirit of unity, mutual love, and prayer,” while ensuring “our hearts may always remain open to the grace of God while our hands are extended to those in need.”
Also attending the event were His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and His Grace Bishop Chrysostomos of Bukoba and Western Tanzania from the Patriarchate of Alexandria, who is currently visiting Australia.
During the evening, Bishop Chrysostomos spoke about missionary work in Central Africa, where, as he noted, “Orthodoxy is living a miracle.” He described growing interest in Orthodoxy across the region and ongoing efforts to build churches and schools teaching the Greek language.
He concluded with a message to the Greek Australian community: “Hold fast to who you are: Greeks and Orthodox Christians!”
