In his Paschal Encyclical for 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia delivers a message of hope, reflection and spiritual clarity to the faithful across the nation, urging Greek Orthodox Christians to look beyond the physical presence of the Holy Light and embrace its deeper, eternal meaning.
Addressing the challenges of a world marked by conflict and uncertainty, he reminds the diaspora that the true light of the Resurrection transcends geography and circumstance, calling on all to embody its presence through faith, humility and love.
Full Message in English:
MAKARIOS
by the mercy of God, Archbishop of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Primate and Exarch of All Oceania, to the God-loving Chorespiskopi and Bishops, the gracious clergy and monastic communities, to the Presidents of the honourable Ecclesiastical Committees and Philoptochos Associations, to the teachers and students in the Schools, to those who work in the philanthropic institutions and to all the Christ-loving plenitude of the Orthodox Church in Australia, grace be unto you and peace from our gloriously Risen Saviour Christ.
Most honourable Brother fellow bishops and my beloved children,
On account of the military conflicts in the Middle East, much discussion has arisen concerning the transfer of the Holy Light, particularly to Greece, as has become customary in recent years. For us, certainly, here in distant Australia, Pascha is celebrated with splendour, even though we do not have the possibility of receiving the Holy Light from Jerusalem—just as is the case in many other parts of the world, and as it was for many centuries in our motherland, Greece. The miracle of the Holy Light is an event that takes place in the Holy Land, and more specifically at the life-giving and all-holy Tomb of Christ. Yet we must not forget that the light of Christ is poured out upon every human person and transcends both time and space—and this is the great miracle.
We observe that there are certain people who are filled with light, and whose very presence illumines those around them. They possess such light that even on days when their own soul is darkened and struggles with the failures of daily life, they continue to radiate light to everything around them. This is an inner light, not dependent upon outward appearance or upon what we say. It is the light of the heart, which nothing can dim, precisely because it proceeds from within, from the inner person. We, as Orthodox Christians, receive this light from the noetic Sun that never sets. And when someone bears the light of Christ, that person is calm and peaceful. They become a quiet strength and do not strive to prove anything about themselves. They do not seek to influence others or to distinguish themselves. They do not give, in order to receive. They illumine without effort and love without expecting anything in return.
I call upon all of you to live the greatest and most beautiful experience that a human being can encounter upon this earth: the experience of the Light, that never sets, the experience of the Resurrection.
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
In Sydney, on Holy and Great Pascha, 12th of April 2026,
The Archbishop,
† Makarios of Australia
Primate and Exarch of all Oceania
