Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in South Melbourne, Victoria | Religious centre

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

Locality: South Melbourne, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 9245 9000

Address: 221 Dorcas Street 3205 South Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.goyouth.org.au

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25.01.2022 Live from The Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church in Clayton, the #C31Melbourne production team is proud to present this Sunday's church service. Proudly sponsored by Bank of Sydney, 3XY Radio Hellas and Peter Tziotzis Orthodox Funeral Services.

24.01.2022 У петак, 20. новембра 2020 године у 7:07 часова у Воно ковид болници Kарабурма у Београду упокоио се у Господу егова Светост Архиепископ пеки, Митрополит... београдско-карловачки и Патриарх српски г. Ирине (Гаврилови). Вечнаа памат Ваша Светости! It is with great sadness that we inform you that our beloved Serbian Orthodox Patriarch, of thrice blessed memory, His Holiness Irinej, has fallen asleep in the Lord. Eternal be his memory! http://www.spc.rs/sr/saopshtenje_za_javnost_52

24.01.2022 + B A R T H O L O M E W BY GODS MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE-NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO ALL THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH GRACE, PEACE AND MERCY... FROM THE MAKER OF ALL CREATION OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Dearest brother Hierarchs and beloved children in the Lord, It is a shared conviction that, in our time, the natural environment is threatened like never before in the history of humankind. The magnitude of this threat becomes manifest in the fact that what is at stake is not anymore the quality, but the preservation of life on our planet. For the first time in history, man is capable of destroying the conditions of life on earth. Nuclear weapons are the symbol of mans Promethean titanism, the tangible expression of the complex of omnipotence of the contemporary man-god. In using the power that stems from science and technology, what is revealed today is the ambivalence of mans freedom. Science serves life; it contributes to progress, to confronting illnesses and many conditions that were hitherto considered fateful; it creates new positive perspectives for the future. However, at the same time, it provides man with all-powerful means, whose misuse can be turned destructive. We are experiencing the unfolding destruction of the natural environment, of biodiversity, of flora and fauna, of the pollution of aquatic resources and the atmosphere, the progressing collapse of climate balance, as well as other excesses of boundaries and measures in many dimensions of life. The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (Crete, 2016) rightly and splendidly decreed that scientific knowledge does not mobilize the moral will of man, who knows the dangers but continues to act as if he did not know. (Encyclical, 11) It is apparent that the protection of the common good, of the integrity of the natural environment, is the common responsibility of all inhabitants of the earth. The contemporary categorical imperative for humankind is that we live without destroying the environment. However, while on a personal level and on the level of many communities, groups, movements and organizations, there is a demonstration of great sensitivity and ecological responsibility, nations and economic agents are unable in the name of geopolitical ambitions and the autonomy of the economy to adopt the correct decisions for the protection of creation and instead cultivate the illusion that the pretended global ecological destruction is an ideological fabrication of ecological movements and that the natural environment has the power of renewing itself. Yet the crucial question remains: How much longer will nature endure the fruitless discussions and consultations, as well as any further delay in assuming decisive actions for its protection? The fact that, during the period of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus Covid-19, with the mandatory restrictions of movement, the shutdown of factories, and the diminishment in industrial activity and production, we observed a reduction of pollution and encumbrance of the atmosphere, has proved the anthropogenic nature of the contemporary ecological crisis. It became once again clear that industry, the contemporary means of transportation, the automobile and the airplane, the non-negotiable priority of economic indicators and the like, negatively impact the environmental balance and that a change of direction toward an ecological economy constitutes an unwavering necessity. There is no genuine progress that is founded on the destruction of the natural environment. It is inconceivable that we adopt economic decisions without also taking into account their ecological consequences. Economic development cannot remain a nightmare for ecology. We are certain that there is an alternative way of economic structure and development besides the economism and the orientation of economic activity toward the maximization of profiteering. The future of humanity is not the homo conomicus. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, which in recent decades has pioneered in the field of the protection of the creation, will continue its ecological initiatives, the organization of ecological conferences, the mobilization of its faithful and especially the youth, the promotion of the environments protection as a fundamental subject for interreligious dialogue and the common initiatives of religions, the contacts with political leaders and institutions, the cooperation with environmental organizations and ecological movements. It is evident that the collaboration for the protection of the environment creates additional avenues of communication and possibilities for new common actions. We repeat that the environmental activities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are an extension of its ecclesiological self-consciousness and do not comprise a simple circumstantial reaction to a new phenomenon. The very life of the Church is an applied ecology. The sacraments of the Church, its entire life of worship, its asceticism and communal life, the daily life of its faithful, express and generate the deepest respect for creation. The ecological sensitivity of Orthodoxy was not created by but emerged from the contemporary environmental crisis. The struggle for the protection of creation is a central dimension of our faith. Respect for the environment is an act of doxology of Gods name, while the destruction of creation is an offense against the Creator, entirely irreconcilable with the basic tenets of Christian theology. Most honorable brothers and dearly beloved children, The ecofriendly values of the Orthodox tradition, the precious legacy of the Fathers, constitute an embankment against the culture, whose axiological foundation is the domination of man over nature. Faith in Christ inspires and strengthens the human endeavor even before the immense challenges. From the perspective of faith, we are able to discover and assess not only the problematic dimensions, but also the positive possibilities and prospects of contemporary civilization. We call upon Orthodox young men and women to realize the significance of living as faithful Christians and contemporary people. Faith in the eternal destiny of man strengthens our witness in the world. In this spirit, from the Phanar, we wish all of you a propitious and all-blessed new ecclesiastical year, fruitful in Christ-like deeds, for the benefit of all creation and to the glory of the all-wise Creator of all. And we invoke upon you, through the intercessions of the All-Holy Theotokos, the Pammakaristos, the grace and mercy of the God of wonders. September 1, 2020 +Bartholomew of Constantinople Fervent supplicant of all before God

22.01.2022 From The Australian Newspaper Massacres echo across Nagorno-Karabakh as Turkey eggs on Azerbaijan GEOFFREY ROBERTSON QC... In the next week or so, many thousands of human lives of civilians as well as soldiers could be lost in a war the great powers of the world seem unable to stop, and for which Turkey is egging on the aggressor, Azerbaijan. This war is over Nagorno-Karabakh, a small self-governing democracy of 170,000 Christians, settled in a mountainous enclave between their fellow Armenians and their Azeri enemies, with Turkey, still unrepentant about its Armenian genocide, on the horizon. The last war, in the early 1990s, resulted in 30,000 deaths and a line of control around the border over which the rival armies have faced off, but not fully engaged until the last week. Some history is necessary to understand Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh as it is known locally. This is a country in the clouds, as its mountains first appear after the seven-hour road trip from Yerevan (the Armenian capital) passing the looming shadow of Mount Ararat, in Turkey. A flight to the well-equipped airport at Stepanakert (the Artsakh capital) would take merely 20 minutes but the Azeri government has threatened to shoot down any passenger plane that tries. Any visit to this de facto independent republic earns a lifetime ban from entering Azerbaijan. Interspersed among its hills are several thousand old Christian churches, some dating back to the 10th century, while in museums are manuscripts and archives testifying to the intense intellectual and religious lives of Armenians in these highlands and to the unique designs of the carpets still woven there. In 1805, the region was annexed by Russia and a census proved that ethnic Armenians were in the great majority. So they were (at 94 per cent) in 1923, when Stalin fatefully made Karabakh an autonomous region (or oblast) of the Soviet Union’s satellite, Azerbaijan. Following the break-up of the Union, the people of Artsakh in 1992 declared their independence by an overwhelming vote. That led to war fought by a quickly recruited Karabakh army with left-behind Russian tanks and support from Armenia. It was marked by one great war crime a mini-Guernica as Azeri forces deliberately shelled and killed thousands of civilians in schools and hospitals in Stepanakert, from a city higher in the hills that eventually fell to a daring counterattack. Armenia prevailed and, for the next quarter of a century, Artsakh has been a stable and settled local democracy of ethnic Armenians, but with a culture and history and highland character. Its relationship to Armenia is comparable to that of Wales to England. When I visited on several recent occasions (at the request of the Armenian government) I was satisfied by the independence of its parliament and of its judges and lawyers but sorry for the conscription of its youth, made necessary by the hostility of its neighbour. It would be intolerable if Artsakh were to be invaded and its people killed or forced to flee. Yet this is the declared objective of Turkey. Despite its denials, evidence from France and Russia and the British media proves that in the last month Turkish companies have recruited and paid fighters from Syria to join the Azeri forces proof that Turkey and Azerbaijan planned their attack in advance. Authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev has for years been beating the nationalist drum stirring up racial and religious hatred against the Armenians and promising a happy homeland in Karabakh to his people once the region is successfully invaded and occupied. It may have been partly the need to deliver on his own rhetoric that has caused him to start this war, once he could be sure of Turkish support and at a time when Armenia is weakened by the pandemic. He denies being the aggressor, but this is not credible: he has everything to gain by it and Armenia has everything to lose, and no reason to commence battle. It has agreed to international calls for peace talks but Aliyev, bent on killing and conquest, has refused. Azerbaijan would in this respect be guilty of a breach of the UN Charter that prohibits any armed attack against a member of the UN. The Security Council should immediately refer the conflict to the International Criminal Court, which is now empowered to investigate the crime of aggression, which appears to have been committed by Aliyev with the support of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Aliyev claims the unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan but this rests on Stalin’s 1923 decision to make the region an oblast. This status it has not had for the last quarter of a century after its people voted for independence and won the war they fought for their right to self-determination. International law allows what is termed the right of remedial secession, which has been accorded to East Timor, Kosovo and others and which should apply to Artsakh. It may have been better had they chosen to become a province of Armenia, but either way they must be protected against invasion. Why was this long-simmering conflict not settled years ago? An international conference was set up by major powers in 1994 the Minsk Process but it did not proceed, partly because Azerbaijan would not allow Nagorno-Karabakh itself to be represented. Last week, the UK, France and Russia, as well as the UN, have called for the parties to negotiate but Azerbaijan, unlike Armenia, has refused. It wants to wipe out the Armenians in Artsakh and replace them with Azeris while Armenia obviously refuses to surrender them. That means a return to square one, which is war. The result cannot be predetermined if Turkey joins military forces with Azerbaijan, as Erdogan threatens, the Armenians will seek to rely on Russia, with which they have a military alliance. But Russia can be a fickle friend. Its oligarchs are more interested in their businesses with Azeri oil and gas and the Russian arms sales to Baku are massive (it sells Armenia the same arms but at a concessional rate). It was always a mistake for the Armenians to put their trust in the Kremlin, as they may find out. NATO is probably the only military alliance that can control the situation, but Turkey is a member of it (unlike Armenia) and Russia will object. But the Armenians are a tough race, emerging from the genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks (who slaughtered more than a million of them in 1915-16). They have a diaspora that is powerful in the US and elsewhere (although the best-known Armenian is Kim Kardashian, Australia can boast Joe Hockey and Gladys Berejiklian). They will not surrender Artsakh and nor should they. Australia should not hesitate in its support for them not for the sake of Christianity but for democracy.

18.01.2022 Patriarchal Divine Liturgy for the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on the occasion of the Feast of its founder, St. Andrew, First-Called of the Ap...ostles, in the Patriarchal Church of St. George, at the Phanar. A delegation of the Church of Rome headed by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, attended the Divine Liturgy, as well as His Excellency Denys Smyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, accompanied by members of his cabinet. See more

18.01.2022 For teens and young adults from 12-22

17.01.2022 Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia together with other heads of Christian Churches in Australia regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

17.01.2022 Message from the Archbishop of Australia for the World Day on the Rights of the Child The 20th day of November has been assigned as World Day for the Rights of ...the Child. This day, as well as yesterday and tomorrow, and indeed every day of the year, all children, wherever they may be around the world, hope and envision a better world, for themselves, for their families, for the communities in which they live and for all humanity. And when we, the adults forget, and when we are indifferent, when we become alienated and, in the end give up, they insist on hoping and envisioning a world with more love and compassion, with kindness and peace. A world that seems so close to the one that Christ showed us through his teaching. Therefore, this day, which is dedicated to the rights of children, constitutes an opportunity to think about, and to reflect on our responsibilities to them and to whatever beautiful reality they long to create. We are called to consider that everyone, depending on their position and strengths, must contribute to the formation of an environment which is secure and prosperous, free from all forms of violence and danger. We do not overlook that we have before us a long road to travel, as millions of children around the world continue to suffer abuse, exploitation and social exclusion; continue to face serious risks to their health and lives, growing up deprived of basic goods and freedoms. However, we do not despair and, on the occasion of this day today, we renew our commitment to daily struggle, in the community and society where each of us lives and works. Our Holy Archdiocese, serving with devotion the command of the Lord: Let the children come to me (Mt 19:14), works tirelessly to bring young people closer to Christ and to make Him the precious compass to their dreams in life. But beyond this, however, with our good bishops and priests across the states of Australia, we strive every day to also follow the converse path: that is, to turn our own steps towards the children, so that we can recognise and meet their needs, both material and spiritual, to listen to their anxieties and worries, to offer them opportunities for expression, participation, creation. I hope, with God's help, that we might be able to have added a little stone to the edifice that the custodians of the hope of this world dream of building.

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16.01.2022 Archbishop Makarios to new deacon: As love will crucify you, so will it crown you On Saturday 14th November, on the day that our Church commemorates the memo...ry of St Philip the Apostle, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia officiated at matins and presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with the Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese, Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney. In an atmosphere of spiritual joy, during the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Monk Irenaeus Triantis to the diaconate, who is a graduate of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College and addressed paternal blessings and instructions, focusing on the role of love as the most basic element for a fruitful priestly ministry. Only love he urged characteristically, and know he added, that as love will crucify you, so will it crown you. The instructive speech of His Eminence included extensive reference to the challenges and difficulties that the new clergyman is likely to face. You are being called to a serve in a world, which is not always friendly towards the Church, he stressed to Fr Irenaeus, explaining that the general spirit of our times and the spirit of some people is against Christ, against the Church, against the priests, against the teaching of the Gospel and generally against the tenets of our faith. Sometimes, the hostility against the Church is official, undisguised and obvious; other times it is hidden, but nonetheless real. Making this clear, His Eminence called on the new deacon to be aware that he is entering a difficult world, which many times will force you to weep, to become embittered it will treat you unjustly and you will come to feel that many forces, visible and invisible, are waged against you or against the high calling that you serve. But if the Prophets, the Apostles, the Hierarchs, the Martyrs, and the Righteous saints lived through such situations, then why should we not also experience this? he rightly asked and continued, If Christ Himself felt this same pain, to such an extent that He came to say, ‘Father take from me this cup’, then why should we expect to live differently from the way that Christ and the saints of our Church lived? Or from that which the saint that we commemorate today, St Philip, experienced in his torturous death? One injunction from the Archbishop to Fr Irenaeus was to become a fisherman of people’s souls, which, as he stressed, he will fish from the ocean and the open sea and not from the quiet of the port. When the ship is tied in the port, it does not fulfil its purpose and its mission, he said and continued, It may not be in danger or be exposed to storms and hurricanes but it does not fulfil its goal. Furthermore, His Eminence urged the new deacon not to fear and not to shy away from any moment during the upward course that opens before him, declaring confidently that Fr Irenaeus has the necessary spiritual traits to carry out the mission that he undertakes. You grew up in a large family with many siblings, with many difficulties and privations, with the absence of your father. Your mother, Penelope, with whom you are particularly attached, is a blessed and spiritual person and she raised you in the Church and according to the Lord’s instructions. Your spiritual father, Archimandrite Eusebios, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Pantanassa, gives witness that you are worthy of the ordination and, of course, stands by your side with much love and compassion in your monastic and clerical struggle. The teaching staff of our Theological College also testify of your spirituality and the good quality of your character. All these are spiritual testaments that assure us of the success of your new journey and that you will be found worthy of the expectations of our Church and of my own, your Archbishop and Shepherd he said. His Eminence ended his talk with a heartfelt wish that God bless Fr Irenaeus and that he may always be worthy to fulfil the duties which the Church will assign him. Earlier, the ordained deacon spoke with words of respect and gratitude about the Archbishop, thanking him for the love he has shown him since arriving in Australia. From the first moment, you were a father, a shepherd, and an example from whom I am learning he said, and added with emotion, I surrender myself with confidence to you, to shape me into a new person and to show me ways of holiness that I will cultivate, so that I may bear fruit and be grafted with Christ Himself. Fr Irenaeus accepted warm wishes from the clergy and the faithful who were present in church, among whom was his mother and siblings, who observed his ordination with great emotion.

16.01.2022 MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP MAKARIOS OF AUSTRALIA Chora Monastery conversion I was deeply saddened to learn of the decision of the Turkish authorities to convert t...he historic Chora Monastery in Constantinople into an Islamic mosque. It is a decision that intensifies our frustration and concern, given the recent desecration of the Church of Hagia Sophia, which is the universal symbol of Orthodoxy and Christianity. Unfortunately, the Turkish political leadership insists on following a path of disrespect for religious monuments of the Orthodox Church but also displays contempt for monuments that constitute a part of the worlds cultural heritage. There are currently more than 3500 mosques in Constantinople. There is no need for another one to be added to the list as most of them are empty. Unfortunately, Turkey is moving in the opposite direction from what all modern democracies and societies have set out to do in recent years. At the same time, it invalidates all actions and steps taken in previous decades by the Turkish Republic and the Turkish people, choosing to go backwards instead of progressing and showing disrespect even for its own history. However, we must realise that such decisions not only constitute an insult to Orthodox Christians or, generally, to Christians around the world. We must understand that such heroic initiatives promote intolerance, religious fanaticism and nationalist ideology while, at the same time, undermining peaceful coexistence, which is a pursuit of all religions. It is crucial to ponder particularly by those who instigate and execute such decisions that no present intervention can change the historic reality reflected in a monument. It can only determine the future. And this is why the responsibility that comes from such decisions is heavy-laden.

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14.01.2022 Some practical reflections on the Cross Embracing the Cross in our lives means that we can begin to bear the burdens and even weaknesses of others, turning the ...‘other’ cheek. For example, another person’s anger or envy towards us can of course give rise to a reprisal on our part; or, we can freely and actively choose to bear, and take these negative and hurtful forces upon ourselves in order to neutralise and put an end to them, as Christ Himself did. Whilst reacting may seem the easier option, acting freely by not retaliating, however, can only be borne within us when we have genuinely taken up the way of the Cross in our life. Yet dying to ourselves in this way, we will have allowed the life-giving Cross of Christ to carry us into the eternal paradise of His Father’s eternal kingdom.

13.01.2022 Vespers Service for the Dormition of the Theotokos On Friday evening the 14th of August, in a spirit of great joy and love, the Vespers Service for the Dormiti...on of the Theotokos was conducted. The Hierarchical Vespers Service was presided over by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon, Archiepiscopal Vicar for the Archdiocesan District of Perth and Assistant Bishop to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The Vespers Service was celebrated at the Church of Evangelismos in West Perth by all the clergy and faithful from the Parishes of Perth and also from the Holy Monastery of St John of the Mountain. In His sermon, Bishop Elpidios briefly outlined the significance of the three Old Testament Readings and the important place that the Theotokos has in the Liturgical Year of the Church. His Grace also conveyed to the clergy and faithful the paternal blessings and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios. At the conclusion of the service the Lamentations dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos were chanted before the beautifully decorated Epitaphio of the Theotokos. 14 , , . . .. . . , . . ... , .

13.01.2022 The youth and teens of our Parish and Community are excited to to launch CATALYST - an Orthodox Christian Fellowship for Teens (12-19). Our first Online Meetin...g will be on Saturday August 22 at 3pm. Whilst in lockdown we have prepared a 6 week series of presentations and discussions that will be hosted by a range of facilitators. This gives our Teens the opportunity to connect, share their thoughts and challenges and grow in Christ. Please register your interest below in order to receive a link to join our first session. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

12.01.2022 Patriarch Bartholomew: "The environmental activities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are an extension of its ecclesiological self-consciousness and do not comprise a simple circumstantial reaction to a new phenomenon. The very life of the Church is an applied ecology." (The Day for the Preservation of the Natural Environment, 2020)

12.01.2022 Announcement from the Archdiocesan Council of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia The Archdiocesan Council of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia met yesterday, 29...th September 2020, in Sydney, under the Presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and dealt with the issues on the agenda. After extensive deliberations, the members of the Archdiocesan Council unanimously resolved upon and hereby announce the following: 1. Firstly, we praise the Triune God and express our gratitude and our deepest respect to His All-Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Mother Church for the election of our new Archbishop of Australia, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios. Moreover, we were moved to learn that His Eminence has been invited to be a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod, a first in the history of our local Church. 2. It is a fact that within a year, our new Shepherd, despite the adversities of the devastating fires and the COVID-19 pandemic, has proven to be a dynamic presence throughout the entire continent. We are aligned with, and fully embrace, the vision of our new Archbishop, which is based on unity and love, so that, together, we may make the Archdiocese of Australia a more formidable force in Australian society. Within this spirit of unity and reconciliation, we thank our Ecumenical Patriarchate for the restoration of His Grace Bishop Paul of Christianoupolis and the priests, Fr George Athanasiadis and Fr Christodoulos Vassilaris, who are now members of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Australia. 3. We also express our deep gratitude to our Ecumenical Patriarch and our Archbishop for the election of our new and worthy Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon and Bishop Silouan of Sinope, who have already assumed executive positions within the Holy Archdiocese, and we consider the creation by His Eminence of separate Archdiocesan Districts in Perth, Northcote and Canberra to be beneficial in effectively dealing with the administrative and spiritual issues in those areas. 4. We gladly accept our Archbishop’s proposal for the regular convening of the Archdiocesan Council, as defined by the Special Regulations of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. It should be noted that today’s convening of the Archdiocesan Council was set during the meeting of the Bishops of our Archdiocese on 7th August of this year; the previous sittings of the Archdiocesan Council had met were in 2015 and in 2012. 5. The Clergy-Laity Conference of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia was due to take place next January. However, due to the restrictions of the pandemic, the local authorities have advised us to postpone its convocation. We therefore decided to reschedule the commencement of the event to 30th May 2021, as long as we are free from the restrictions of the pandemic. The theme of the Clergy-Laity Conference will be For Faith and Nation. Also, the National Youth Conference will begin on 24th September 2021. For these two major events, the Archdiocesan Council will convene again soon and relevant details will be announced in due course. 6. In a spirit of unity, a National Committee was established by His Eminence to celebrate the Bicentenary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution (1821-2021). The National Committee is working with great fervour and a rich program of events for the whole country will soon be announced. The Archdiocesan Council approved the proposal of the Committee and that of the Archbishop for the minting of a commemorative coin and the printing of an anniversary stamp. 7. With deep pain, we experienced the consequences of the pandemic in Victoria and especially at our St Basil’s Aged Care facility in Melbourne. We all share in the pain of the relatives of the victims. We are praying for the repose of their souls, while proceeding with a restructuring of the organisation. At the same time, we wish the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of St Basil’s in Melbourne, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Evmenios Vasilopoulos, every success, as well as to the new CEO of St Basil’s in NSW and the ACT, Mr Spiro Stavis. 8. The Archdiocesan Council accepted responsibility for not providing an official residence for the incumbent Archbishop, as there is for each Hierarch all over the world. The small lodgings adjoining the Archbishop’s office are completely unsuitable as a permanent residence of any person, let alone for the leader of our Church in Australia. The purchase of an apartment by the Consolidated Trust, with all due process, provides an asset of the Archdiocese, and not His Eminence. To this day, the Archbishop continues to reside in the Archdiocese. It is our respectful decision and our request that the Archbishop should occupy the apartment until the completion of the renovations of the Archdiocese, in which a residence for the serving Archbishop will be incorporated. 9. Finally, with great disappointment we note the continuing hostile conduct of Mr Nicholas Kalliouris and Mrs Vasso Morali, former journalist, and both residents of Greece, as well as other non-institutional and para-ecclesiastical elements against the Archdiocese, St Basil’s Aged Care and our Archbishop personally. We agree with the position of His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevasteia that their publications are blasphemous lies. With abhorrence, we condemn what they have written and inform the faithful that they have all been referred to the justice system. We assure everyone that His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, as well as the Archdiocese with its benevolent institutions, will not be blackmailed or influenced in their decisions by their malicious conduct and their defamatory publications.

11.01.2022 TODAY IS THE FEAST OF SAINT EUSTATHIUS Happy nameday to Father Stathi of Ypapanti Church in Coburg and of course today and to all parishioners of ...Saint Eustathius parish in South Melbourne. The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126. Apolytikion of Martyr Eustathius and His Companions Fourth Tone Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful. Kontakion of Martyr Eustathius and His Companions Second Tone O blest one, since thou didst emulate Christ's sufferings and drankest His cup with eagerness, thou didst become a partaker and joint-heir of His glory, O wise Eustathius; and since He is God of all things, He gave thee divine power from Heaven's heights.

10.01.2022 GREEK STUDIES AT LA TROBE Dear Friends of Greek Studies at La Trobe, In its decision to become a smaller, stronger university following the financial difficu...lties associated with COVID-19, La Trobe announced yesterday that it is proposing to discontinue its Modern Greek Studies program. It is now entering a two-week consultation period (ending on 25 November), after which it will make its final decisions. While we appreciate that the University needs to make some difficult decisions, we strongly believe that Modern Greek gives La Trobe a uniqueness that adds value to the institution as a whole, as the sole tertiary provider of Greek in Victoria. We look forward to making a strong case for the retention of the program over the next two-week consultation period. In the coming days, we will let you know how you can show your support!

10.01.2022 Former Pentecostals Embrace Orthodoxy in WA The Parish of Saint Nektarios in Perth recently witnessed the entry into the Orthodox Faith of Panayiotis (Babith) a...nd Anna (Abi). This married couple, coming from a Pentecostal background, were catechised by Father John Athanasiou, and after undergoing rigourous preparation were found to be ready to be baptised into the Orthodox Church. The Sacrament of Baptism was presided over by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon who on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, welcomed the couple into the church. The mystery of baptism was carefully explained by His Grace to the edification of all. At the conclusion of the ceremony all present were treated to excellent examples of Indian cuisine which allowed the newly illuminated couple to celebrate the cooking from their homeland. Panayiotis and Anna have two young children, who were recently baptised into the Orthodox Church and were given the names of Vasilios and Ioanna. The day after their baptism, the couple were then married at the Church of Saint Nektarios. After the service all were treated to a Greek smorgasbord at the home of the Matron of Honour (Koumbara). May God continue to bless the journey of this family into the Orthodox Faith.

10.01.2022 SPECIAL EVENT: Tribute in honour of Archbishop Stylianos of Australia of blessed memory With the blessing and exhortation of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios ...of Australia a special event will take place on Monday, 14th December 2020 in the reception hall of St Andrew’s Theological College at 6:00pm in honour of Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis of Australia of blessed memory, who reposed in the Lord on 25th March 2019. The first part of the proceedings includes the presentation of an honorary Volume concerning the life and works of the late Hierarch, under the title, Archbishop Stylianos Pastor, Theologian, Poet. It is a publication of St Andrew’s Orthodox Press that was completed under the guidance and supervision of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The approximately 600-page Volume contains notable texts, written in Greek and English by learned and renowned hierarchs, university professors, clergy and laity, who knew the late Hierarch and who associated with him. It also includes a substantial number of photographs of historical importance from moments periods during the course of the life of the late Archbishop. The Volume begins with a message from His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Preface by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios. During the second half of the event, a documentary will be screened titled, An Opal of Many Colors: Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis of Australia (1935-2019). The 70-minute Tribute to the Archbishop presents the journey of the late Hierarch with references to his youth, the duration of his studies, the beginning of his ministry and university career, his election and enthronement as Archbishop of Australia as well as his 44-year contribution and crucial action at the helm of the Orthodox Church in the Antipodes. Due to the restrictive measures as a result of the pandemic, participation in the event on 14th December will be by invitation only. Further similar events will follow, which will also include the screening of the documentary about Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, of blessed memory.

09.01.2022 <3 ~ Our beautiful EPITAPH to the Most Holy Mother of God, the Theotokos. We thank all that contributed towards this blessing including those who contributed financially and to the lady who prepared it.

08.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW? During the German occupation, the Nazis demanded that Archbishop of Athens Damaskinos hand over a list of Jewish residents of Athens. Archbishop D...amaskinos refused to do so. Instead, he published this letter, the only public letter against the persecution of the Jews published by a cleric in Europe: "The Greek Orthodox Church and the Academic World of Greek People Protest against the Persecution... The Greek people were... deeply grieved to learn that the German Occupation Authorities have already started to put into effect a program of gradual deportation of the Greek Jewish community... and that the first groups of deportees are already on their way to Poland... According to the terms of the armistice, all Greek citizens, without distinction of race or religion, were to be treated equally by the Occupation Authorities. The Greek Jews have proven themselves... valuable contributors to the economic growth of the country and law-abiding citizens who fully understand their duties as Greeks. They have made sacrifices for the Greek country, and were always on the front lines of the struggle of the Greek nation to defend its inalienable historical rights... In our national consciousness, all the children of Mother Greece are an inseparable unity: they are equal members of the national body irrespective of religion... Our holy religion does not recognize superior or inferior qualities based on race or religion, as it is stated: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek' and thus condemns any attempt to discriminate or create racial or religious differences. Our common fate both in days of glory and in periods of national misfortune forged inseparable bonds between all Greek citizens, without exemption, irrespective of race... Today we are... deeply concerned with the fate of 60,000 of our fellow citizens who are Jews... we have lived together in both slavery and freedom, and we have come to appreciate their feelings, their brotherly attitude, their economic activity, and most important, their indefectible patriotism..." Jürgen Stroop the local SS commander, threatened to execute Archbishop Damaskinos by firing squad. Archbishop Damaskinos's famous response to him was: "According to the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church, our prelates are hanged, not shot. Please respect our traditions!" The Archbishop was being boldly sarcastic, as he was referring to the lynching and hanging of Patriarch Gregory V of Constantinople by a Turkish mob in 1821, the point being made that the SS commander would act in a similarly barbaric fashion if he were to carry out his threat. As a result Archbishop Damaskinos bought enough time to smuggle hundreds of Jewish families in hiding, to safety.

08.01.2022 { PANAGIA GORGOEPIKOOS MONASTERY BOOK CLUB } Mother Kallisthenis has given a blessing to FrJohn Frangos to coordinate a book club. The purpose is to discuss a s...piritual book each month. Assisted by a team of volunteers of a wide range of ages, the first book we will review is Wounded by Love by Saint Porphyrios. The session is for both people who have, and have not read the book. Wounded by Love by Saint Porphyrios is available via our bookstore: https://www.gorgoepikoos.org.au/bookstore (in the search bar, enter the title) To register for our first session on 21 September at 7pm, please click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us//tZEuf-6vqzovGtVjdpFFFCT91kb2nEKc5 Book Club video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJPewEhQ0Os&feature=youtu.be

08.01.2022 Archbishop Makarios: We are bitter about 50 years of silence concerning Halki

08.01.2022 Today the Church remembers the 40 Holy Virgins and Saint Ammoun the Deacon from Adrianopolis, Macedonia, martyred by a local ruler in Heraclea, Thrace. St Ammoun and eight of the virgins were beheaded, ten were burned, six died after heated metal balls were put into their mouths, six were stabbed with knives, and the remainder were struck in the mouth and stabbed in the heart with swords. The Virgins names were Adamantini, Athina, Akrivi, Antigone, Aribea, Aspasia, Aphrodite, Dioni, Dodoni, Elpiniki, Erasmia, Erato, Erminia, Euterpi, Thalia, Theanoi, Theano, Theonimfi, Theofani, Kalliroi, Kallisti, Kleo, Kleoniki, Kleopatra, Koralia, Lambro, Margarita, Marianthi, Melpomeni, Mosko, Ourania, Pandora, Penelope, Polimnia, Poliniki, Sapfo, Terpsihori, Troas, Haido, Hariklia each of who celebrate their Name Day today.

08.01.2022 Archbishop Makarios’ letter to LaTrobe University Chancellor John Brumby about the proposed cancellation of Modern Greek Studies. Thank you, your Eminence, for your sensitivity to this issue.

07.01.2022 Manningham police were proud to work with members of the St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Parish in Templestowe over the weekend in response to an emergency inciden...t. On Friday evening, police were called to a home in Doncaster to assist paramedics tend to an elderly member of the Greek community. Following the resolution of the incident, Manningham police contacted Father Elias Kentrotis at St Haralambos to assist in providing welfare support and pastoral care to the family and patient. This morning, police attended St Haralambos to thank Father Kentrotis for his assistance. While there, police discussed how they could assist with other church initiatives such as the Church Youth Group. This was a fantastic example of emergency services working with the community, and we’re looking forward to working with St Haralambos in the future. Pictured here from left to right is First Constable Kirsty Brownrigg, Constable Kirstyn Sugrue, Father Elias, Father Antonio, First Constable Balaz and Constable Anderson.

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06.01.2022 Tonight St John’s College hosted an information session for the Parish Priests of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese - Northcote District. Mrs Urban shared highligh...ts of the SJC Renewal during 2020 and the Strategic Plan goals for 2020-2025, emphasising His Eminence Archbishop Makarios’ support for the new vision, mission and values of the College. Our special guests were taken on a tour of the grounds, particularly the new sports courts which, through their donations and the donations of their parishes and communities have allowed us to complete the upgrade earlier this year. It was a real honour to have all our local priests attend this special event. Thank you for your ongoing support! #stjohnscollege #stjohnspreston #renewal2020 #greekorthodox #orthodoxchristian #privateschool #hellenic #highschool #primaryschool #foreverexcelling www.stjohnspreston.Vic.edu.au See more

06.01.2022 Wollongong

05.01.2022 It was great to see so many of our children and families at the Divine Liturgy this evening. We prayed together and then enjoyed a meal.

05.01.2022 A N N O U N C E M E N T The Holy Archdiocese of Australia, our Shepherd, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, the God-loving Bishops and all the benevolent clergy..., with pain of soul, pray for the divine consolation and strengthening of all our sisters and brothers, who are profoundly being tested with the loss of their loved ones due to the coronavirus pandemic and with overwhelming sorrow, we commemorate the names of all our sisters and brothers from St Basils who have fallen asleep. His Eminence our Archbishop is in constant communication with the authorities, the relevant Ministers and other officials, and all together, with the help and prayers of our faithful people, we will move forward to a new day. Within this context, it is announced that the current Chairman of the Board of Directors of St Basils in Victoria, Mr Konstantinos Kontis has submitted his resignation from the position of Chairman. His Eminence, after expressing his gratitude for the long-standing contribution of Mr Kontis and his co-workers to St Basils, accepted his resignation as Chairman of the Board of Directors, appointing the Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Evmenios Vasilopoulos, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote, as the new Chairman. At the same time, he urged Mr Kontis to remain as an ordinary member of the Board of Directors until some practical and legal issues, that were created during the pandemic, are finalised. His Eminence also appreciates the expressions of regret from the relevant Ministers, because in part the efforts to stem the pandemic in certain residential aged care services in Victoria, as well as to support them, did not go as well as people had hoped. We note that, from the 6th August 2020, the management of St Basils was returned to its own administration. His Eminence and the members of the Institution, greet with joy the families who wish and insist that their relatives return to St Basils, recognising the contribution of the Institution to the community and, at the same time, showing trust and respect to the local Church. See more

04.01.2022 Friends, many of you have been writing to me with questions about a COVID-19 vaccine. This weeks announcement that a Letter of Intent has been signed between o...ur government and AstraZeneca for a vaccine raises some important ethical questions because the vaccine in question makes use of a cell line cultured from an electively aborted human foetus. Whether this vaccine is successful or not, it is important that the government does not create an ethical dilemma for people. Along with the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia, I have written to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, asking the government to pursue similar arrangements for alternate vaccines that do not raise the same ethical concerns, so that Australians will have a choice when it comes to vaccination. There are currently 167 vaccines being researched, many of which do not use foetal cells in their development. It is in the best interests of the community that vaccination is widely taken up and this deadly disease defeated, and this will better be achieved if the vaccines available do not create an ethical quandary. Ill have more to say on this in next weeks Catholic Weekly. In the interim, you might like to make your desire for an ethical vaccine known to your local MP.

03.01.2022 Today our church honours the Exaltation of the Life Giving Cross. May the Holy Cross bless us always.

03.01.2022 According to Church tradition, Christ entered the synagogue in Nazareth today, September 1st , and taking the scroll of Isaiah recited the following about Himself, publicly proclaiming His mission for the first time: "The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the LORDs favor." (Lk 4:18-19)

03.01.2022 Message from Archbishop Makarios of Australia concerning International Youth Day Today is dedicated to the youth; to the most active and creative building blo...ck of any society, to the most beautiful and fragrant blossom that adorns the garden of humanity. It may seem trite but we must repeat it at every opportunity: Our young people are our hope for the future. With this admission, comes a great responsibility for all of us: Firstly, to listen to our young people; to listen to their anxieties and to share their concerns. And then to try and meet their needs and, at the same time, to generously offer not only the material but primarily the spiritual provisions that will be useful for them to create a better world than the one they receive. In other words, we have a responsibility to give them their space in the present world. The space they need and the space that they deserve. Personally, from the moment I arrived in Australia, I have prioritised to direct the focus and resources of our Holy Archdiocese to provide support and spiritual guidance to the young people of our community. Through a series of initiatives, we have tried as a local Church, with our local Bishops and priests, to reduce the distances and break down the barriers in order to bring the new generation closer to the way of Christ. We have tried to inspire the new generation but we also rely on the enthusiasm and joy of our youth. So, on the occasion of this International Day, I feel the need to reaffirm my confidence in the youth and to pledge that their voice will always be heard in the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Our Church will always have her arms open to embrace them with affection, to empower them, to give them the space they need, to give them a say and a role for the future. Above all, to give them Christ.

03.01.2022 Thank you! We are very grateful for the support of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. Your generous donation will go toward purchasing a purpose built... ambulance, to ensure best rescue and koala care in transportation. A koala is getting personal attention from Archbishop Makarios in these images. @greek.archdiocese See more

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02.01.2022 , , , The Dormition of the Theotokos from Saint Athanasios Church, Korytsa, Northern Epirus.

01.01.2022 After the tragic transgression with Hagia Sophia, now the Monastery of Chora, (the Place of the One beyond space -- Chora tou Achortou), this exquisite offer...ing of Byzantine culture to humanity is being changed into a mosque. This is a sad state of affairs for the very same Turkish people who, since the founding of the modern state, have struggled to achieve an international reputation of productivity and progress that leaves a sorry legacy of conquest and carnage behind. This is a real shame, because no one is deserving of such a narrow-minded policy. Demeaning humanitys monuments to serve fleeting political schemes does not diminish the monuments themselves, but the schemers. The pleas and exhortations of the international community are ignored. How long? , , , , . , . , . , . . ;

01.01.2022 The District of Melbourne and His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis wish all a very Happy and Blessed Fathers Day 2020!!