His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has sent a Patriarchal Letter of sympathy to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia following the deadly terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney on 14 December 2025.
In the letter, the Ecumenical Patriarch conveyed the condolences, compassion and solidarity of the Mother Church, as well as his personal support, in the wake of the attack, which claimed multiple lives and shocked the wider Australian community.
Addressing Archbishop Makarios, His All-Holiness prayed for the protection of the Orthodox faithful in Australia and for their spiritual leader, asking that God safeguard them “from every visible and invisible threat” and grant peace to the world.
“The Ecumenical Patriarchate unceasingly prays for the fraternisation of people, nations, religions and cultures,” the Patriarch wrote, reaffirming the Church’s longstanding commitment to dialogue, coexistence and mutual understanding across faiths and societies.
He further stressed that the Ecumenical Patriarchate actively supports and participates in bilateral and multilateral dialogue initiatives aimed at fostering peace and unity throughout the world.
The letter concluded with a warm Christmas message to Archbishop Makarios, underscoring the bonds of brotherhood and shared pastoral ministry at a time of grief and reflection.
The Patriarchal message adds to the growing number of international religious and community leaders expressing solidarity with Australia, and with all those affected by the Sydney attack, as the nation continues to mourn and reflect on the tragedy.
