In an atmosphere filled with deep emotion, on Sunday, October 6, the Holy Provincial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia convened in a celebratory session, presided over by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Addressing the Patriarch with words of filial gratitude, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia assured him, among other things, that “we deeply recognize this benefaction of the Mother Church towards the Holy Archdiocese, a benefaction that is not incidental but rather radical and lasting, which has reshaped the Local Church from its foundations and established unbreakable foundations for its flourishing path in the second century.” “The establishment of a synodal consciousness is a ‘challenge,’ as the contemporary expression goes, for our Holy Archdiocese, to which we are all devoted,” emphasized His Eminence.
In his admonitory address, His All-Holiness described the timeline of the preparation, examination, and approval of the new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, which includes the introduction of a synodal system of governance for the local Church. Concluding this overview, he remarked, “Today marks the beginning of a new page, a new century, equipped with the operation of the Provincial Synod and the establishment of new dioceses.” He added, “And of this great gift from the Mother Church, you, beloved and esteemed brothers, are the first heirs and stewards, and therefore bear a heavy responsibility toward the Church and history.”
His All-Holiness emphasized to the members of the Synod that “today the Church entrusts you with a significant mission,” and offered paternal counsel for its exemplary fulfillment. “The Holy Provincial Synod is the guarantor of the unity of the Local Church in the person of the Archbishop, who remains the sole Shepherd of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia; without the First, Synodality limps dangerously,” he noted. “The strong unity of the Body of Bishops provides the people with an example of unity and obedience to the Church,” he underscored at another point.
“Remain steadfast until your last breath in the holy and apostolic traditions, study diligently and obediently the rules of our Holy Church, and imitate the love and dedication of your Archbishop and Elder to the venerable and sacred institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” concluded His All-Holiness, blessing the start of the Holy Provincial Synod with paternal and Patriarchal grace and wishing abundant blessings and enlightenment from the Holy Spirit upon the President and its members.
In remembrance of this glorious day, the Ecumenical Patriarch gifted the Holy Provincial Synod a Sacred Gospel. The Archbishop and President of the Synod reciprocated by awarding the Patriarch with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Philoptochos with a Star. Subsequently, a similar honor was presented by the Patriarch, on behalf of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, to the accompanying Hierarchs, His Eminences Metropolitan Kyriakos of Imvros and Tenedos and Metropolitan Filotheos of Thessaloniki.
Furthermore, the Higher Cross of the Order of the Philoptochos was awarded by His All-Holiness to the esteemed Bishops who are members of the Holy Provincial Synod, as well as to other Hierarchs present, including the Chief Secretary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Very Rev. Archimandrite Gregory, the Chief Churchwarden and Director of the Patriarchal Office, Very Rev. Archimandrite Aetius, Archdeacon of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Hieromonk Evlogios, the Most Honorable Abbess of the Monastery of the Holy Forerunner in Acriticohori, Sister Iakovē, the Archdeacon of the Holy Archdiocese, the Honorable Master Teacher of the Nation, Konstantinos Delikostantēs, the Honorable Master Teacher of the Church, Theodoros Giagou, a Professor of Canon Law at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a member of the editorial team for the recently approved new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, and the Honorable Themistocles Karanikolas from the Patriarchate’s staff.
Before concluding the Synodal Session, the Archbishop expressed his gratitude to His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, and together, they sang praises in His honor.
