On the evening of Friday, October 4, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived at Sydney International Airport for an official visit to Australia. The Patriarch’s visit coincides with the centennial celebrations of this significant Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Throne on the fifth continent. The airport was filled with Orthodox Christians and Australian citizens of all ages, their eyes reflecting the fervent desire of their souls to welcome the First Among Equals of Orthodoxy and their spiritual father.
Leading the clerical representatives and the faithful was His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, surrounded by the esteemed Bishops who are members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese. Among the distinguished guests present at the grand reception of the Ecumenical Patriarch were the Australian Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite, representing Federal Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and minister for Workplace Relations and Health & Safety, Sophia Kotsi, representing State Premier Chris Minns. Notably, there was a significant presence of representatives from both the local Greek community and Australian media, demonstrating the importance attributed to this historic visit of the head of the Orthodox Church.
Upon the arrival of His Holiness and his esteemed entourage, the gathered believers expressed their feelings of excitement, with many unable to hold back tears of joy and emotion. In unison, they sang praises of the Ecumenical Patriarch, while young Greeks in traditional attire presented him with flowers.
Filled with emotions of joy and paternal affection, Archbishop Makarios welcomed the Patriarch “to his home,” focusing on the historic nature of the occasion and the blessing that the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia are experiencing as they celebrate the centenary of their local Church with “one of the most recognized and charismatic religious leaders of our time.” He noted, “It is difficult to depict the face of a leader, especially today when there is confusion between leader and ruler. In the person of Patriarch Bartholomew, however, the role of the leader acquires meaning and embodies the highest and most virtuous form of leadership.”
“On behalf of all, I welcome you to beautiful Australia, a land of contrasts but also of compositions, a country with many differences but also many similarities to other peoples,” the Archbishop continued in his address. “Welcome to a land that is rightly described as a mosaic of cultures, languages, and beliefs. Welcome to the fifth continent, of which the Greek Orthodox faith and tradition are an inseparable part, flourishing and yielding spiritual fruits that I am sure you will have the opportunity to enjoy during your blessed apostolic visit. I welcome you and wish that all you see and experience in this beautiful country will bring you joy and satisfaction, engraving unforgettable memories in your heart, just as the blessed moments of your presence here will be indelibly etched in the hearts and memories of our people. Your All-Holiness, we love you dearly. Welcome to Australia. Welcome to your home.”
“Today, under the Southern Cross, one of my deepest longings, which has been nurtured for nearly 30 years, was fulfilled — to see the Orthodox faithful of Australia, whom I love and have missed very much,” the Ecumenical Patriarch replied, visibly moved. “Not a day has gone by without my prayers for your prosperity and spiritual well-being,” he added, and continued, “Although Australia may be geographically the most distant province from our Holy Center, you remain, now more than ever, close to my heart.”
The Patriarch also reflected on the centenary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, expressing gratitude to the pioneering immigrants who sowed the seeds of the Holy Gospel on this fifth continent, which they brought from their homelands. He made specific mention of his visionary predecessor, the late Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII, who, in 1924, “laid the foundations for the thriving Orthodox community we see today.” He expressed gratefulness for the blessed land of Australia, which has provided fertile ground for the cultivation and flourishing of Orthodoxy.
The warm and inspired remarks of the Ecumenical Patriarch also included a fatherly exhortation “to courageously share, especially with our beloved youth, the light of Christ’s love, illuminating the path for future generations and promoting a world where faith, hope, and Christian love prevail.” Peace, he emphasized, must not be absent from such a world; concluding, he stated: “Looking at the multitude of faces gathered here today, we see the reflection of God’s love in your warm welcome. It is a living affirmation that we are all made in the image and likeness of our Creator, called to live in harmony and peace. This is something we are all called to do, but it is most important to remember it as we pray for peace among all people currently at war in Ukraine and the Middle East. Your devout souls and the harmonious, peaceful coexistence here are traits that we admire from afar and are proud of. They testify to your dedication to the Mother Church of Constantinople and to our Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
It is noteworthy that the Patriarchal entourage includes the Most Reverend Metropolitans of Imvros and Tenedos, Cyril, and of Thessaloniki, Philotheos, as well as the Venerable Chief Secretary Gregory, the Great Church Chancellor Aetios, Hierodeacon Evlogios, and various other leading figures in the Church and academia.
