In a moving ceremony at the “Hippocrates” Amphitheatre on the University of Thessaly’s Viopolis campus in Larissa, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of the Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences.
The event, held on Tuesday, November 11, was attended by Greece’s Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, regional officials, church representatives, academics, and members of the public who gathered to honour the Archbishop’s scientific, spiritual and social contributions.
Proceedings opened with an address by Rector Professor Charalambos Billinis, who described it as “a special honour for the University of Thessaly,” praising the Archbishop as “a personality with a global footprint, who connects spirituality with science and modern society.”
Professor Athanasios Giannoukas, Chair of Vascular Surgery, delivered the laudation, commending Archbishop Makarios for his academic and humanitarian work and his support of medical education.
The ceremony continued as Professor Aristidis Zibis, President of the Department of Medicine, read the Senate Resolution, formally proclaimed the Honorary Doctorate, and presented the Diploma and Insignia to His Eminence.
Professor Zibis noted that the Archbishop “has dedicated a large part of his life to bioethics,” inspiring “young doctors through values, faith and ethics.”
Archbishop Makarios then delivered a keynote address titled “‘I Seek Man’ on the Highways of the Internet: Relationships and Dependencies in the Digital Age,” reflecting on the importance of maintaining human connection and spirituality in the digital era.
Expressing gratitude, he said, “I consider it a very great honour, which is not attributed to me alone, but to the Mother Church, to our Ecumenical Patriarchate and to the Hellenism of the Diaspora – to the Greeks who reside in the Fifth Continent.”
The University of Thessaly highlighted that this distinction strengthens its close relationship with His Eminence, who previously served as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Medicine.
The ceremony concluded with warm applause, marking what university leaders called a historic occasion for both the Medical School and the city of Larissa.
