On Monday, December 22, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia received the Publisher of the Greek Australian newspaper The Greek Herald, Ms Dimitra Skalkos, at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in Sydney.
His Eminence warmly welcomed Ms Skalkos, who briefed him on the progress of the newspaper, which will mark its centenary in 2026, while they discussed current issues concerning the Greek diaspora in Australia and matters of broader interest.
During the meeting, particular reference was made to the recent tragic events in Bondi, Sydney. Both parties emphasised the importance of unity, responsible public discourse and solidarity, especially during the Christmas period — a time of faith, reflection and peace — and in light of the challenges confronting communities across Australia.
Ms Skalkos congratulated His Eminence on his timely response following the attack, noting that his leadership was among the first demonstrated by a faith leader and reflected strong moral guidance at a moment of collective grief. She acknowledged the significance of such leadership in supporting social cohesion and inter-community understanding.
The discussion also touched on forward planning in the years ahead, including initiatives being developed under the auspices of the Archdiocese, with particular reference to Our People, Their Stories, the Archdiocese’s digital initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the lived experiences of Greek Orthodox Australians.
In this context, the shared importance placed on documenting the stories of Greek migrants and their descendants was noted, reflecting a common commitment between the Archdiocese and The Greek Herald to safeguarding the rich tapestry of the Greek Australian migrant story. Both parties noted the importance of continued collaboration in a spirit of commitment and responsibility.
At the conclusion of the meeting, they exchanged well wishes for the upcoming celebration of Christmas and for the New Year.
