His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia visited the Northern Territory Parliament in Darwin on Monday, May 19, for a cordial and constructive meeting with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
The Archbishop was accompanied by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, along with clergy Fr Savvas Pisanias and Fr Christos Tsoraklides. Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, was also present at the meeting.
During the meeting, Archbishop Makarios thanked Ms Finocchiaro for her presence at the recent foundation ceremony of the Church of Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos in Darwin, and for the consistent support of the NT Government toward the local Greek Orthodox community.
Ms Finocchiaro, in turn, acknowledged the Greek Orthodox community’s vital role in promoting social cohesion and progress in the Territory, and expressed her appreciation for the Orthodox Church.
Discussions focused on matters of concern to local Hellenism, with both sides affirming a shared commitment to deepening cooperation between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA) and the NT Government.
Ambassador Venizelos emphasised his intent — and the Embassy’s assurance — of continued collaboration with the Greek community in the NT.
