on 19 January 2023
Fr Christophoros Krikelis
Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne
Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Right now, on the feast day of St. Makarios the Nice, on behalf of all of the trustworthy of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, we heartily bless our Head Shepherd in Christ, our Non secular Father and our venerable Archbishop. on the event of the protecting feast day. We attempt to categorical our most honest and heartfelt needs to His Holiness, Archbishop of Australia, Makarios, not solely with pleasure, but in addition, most significantly, with deep and ardent gratitude, for his light-filled and luminous present. Spirit-infused management right here in Antipodes; a management characterised from the primary second of his arrival by extraordinary loyalty to his excessive calling and occupation; that’s, unfailing devotion and vigilance for the “constructing of the Church” (1 Cor 14:12) and its unity.
On this solemn feast day of commemoration of our Archbishop and our Father in Christ, maybe it’s not superfluous to briefly remind ourselves of the immense significance of the Bishop’s position within the lifetime of the Church; a job with a main deal with creating and strengthening unity and concord every day; unanimity and fraternity. Episcopal service in church life is answerable for bringing collectively believers as one physique of Christ; and by doing so, they develop into one not solely with Christ but in addition with each other. And that is most completely achieved on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by the Bishop, the place we believers are so intently united with each other that we will “with one mouth” glorify and reward our loving Lord. and a coronary heart [ἐν ἑνὶ στόματι καὶ μιᾷ καρδίᾳ]”; additionally on this means we’re united with our Savior, Christ. Because the chief celebrator of the Holy Eucharist for believers right here in Australia, it’s Archbishop Makarios who made this present of unity and κοινωνία a actuality.
Certainly, because the individual primarily answerable for bringing believers collectively in unity and solidarity with Christ, it was very heartening to expertise this most honest brotherhood on a nationwide stage early final 12 months, particularly by means of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. October, within the context of the Pan-Australian Clergy Synaxis – an occasion conceived and carried out by our Archbishop, who’s answerable for bringing collectively all Bishops and clergy from throughout Australia with the trustworthy – an unprecedented occasion for the lifetime of our Holy Archdiocese—thus, St Paul’s Might we expertise as ‘one physique’ the unity and unity that he spoke of in his letter to the Corinthians: “We who’re many are one physique for a share of 1 loaf” (1 Corinthians 10:17). Our Archbishop, nicely conscious of the lofty name to which the Church calls him, introduced the believers collectively “in a single place.” [ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό]” (Acts 2:1) and carried out the present of adamantine κοινωνία across the Holy Altar of Jesus. It was such an astonishing and awe-inspiring blessing that I’m certain will stay indelibly in our hearts and minds all through our lives. What a beautiful present given by our Archbishop to the Church right here in Australia! For this, we categorical our gratitude and pleasure for this distinctive and brightest present.
Together with this God-given present of unity and way more—such because the Bishop’s charisma to protect the id and integrity of the apostolic religion, which is charged with “accurately explaining the phrase of fact.” [ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας]” (2 Tim 2:2)” and “struggle”[ing] for the religion entrusted to the saints as soon as and for all [ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι τῇ ἅπαξ παραδοθείσῃ τοῖς ἁγίοις πίστει]” (Jude 3); additionally to be a visual signal of unity with the opposite Orthodox Church buildings all over the world and our consultant, by means of his membership within the Holy and Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, of which he represents in his first 12 months as Archbishop (This was a primary for our Archbishopric in Australia) – all bestowed upon us by means of His Holiness Archbishop Makarios For these limitless presents, we stand above all to offer thanks and honor to our merciful God. We pray that our loving God, our true Father and Shepherd in Christ, continues to offer us many blessed years in his troublesome but holy mission in Christ’s service to proceed to information the Church, strengthen the religion, and unite us in Christ. Train the Phrase of Fact accurately and bestow the peace, pleasure, and peace of our Lord right here in Antipodes.
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