The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia formally welcomed Greece’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, during a session of the Holy Eparchial Synod held in Sydney on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
Minister Mendoni’s visit coincided with the first anniversary of the “living” museum Our People, Their Stories, a landmark project dedicated to preserving the history of the Greek diaspora in Australia.
She was accompanied by her special advisor Dr Anna Panagiotarea, members of her delegation, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis.
In his address, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia expressed deep gratitude for Mendoni’s ongoing commitment to Greek culture and her personal connection with the diaspora.
“We always feel your nearness, care, and concern for the Greek community of Australia,” His Eminence said, asking her to extend his greetings to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who “continually shows exceptional and multifaceted interest in the matters that concern us.”
The Archbishop outlined the Archdiocese’s adoption of the synodal system of governance, explaining how it reflects the Church’s evolving mission in Australia. He noted that the local Church has undergone significant structural and spiritual growth since Mendoni’s previous visit, highlighted by the expansion of initiatives such as Our People, Their Stories, now under the patronage of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
He praised Mendoni’s dedication, saying her support stems “first and foremost from your deep personal sensitivity and moral formation, your faith in our Holy Church, and your commitment to the ideals of Greek culture.”
Reflecting on the Apostolic Visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2024, Archbishop Makarios reminded attendees that the Patriarch had inaugurated the museum project, granting it “a universal and ecumenical character.”
He added that Mendoni’s presence further reflected “the universal dimension of Hellenism… not as an ethnic or racial concept, but as an ideal of education, language, and culture.”
Minister Mendoni, in turn, expressed heartfelt thanks to the Archbishop and shared an illustrated overview of the Ministry’s current restoration work on Byzantine monuments in Greece. The session concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts to mark the occasion.
