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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-06-19 Daily Xml
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Greek Orthodox Archbishop Of Australia

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:51): I seek the chamber's indulgence today to speak about the arrival of the new Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia, Archbishop Makarios. His arrival marks the beginning of a new era for Greek Orthodoxy in Australia. The Archbishop's election follows the sad passing of the much loved Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis some three months ago, whose distinguished term to the Australian Greek Orthodox Church extended over four decades.

Archbishop Makarios arrived in Sydney last night to a bit of a rock star reception, including holding his own press conference and address to the crowd that was there to greet him. Indeed, about 1,000 people turned up at the airport to give him a warm Australian welcome, including assistant bishops of the Holy Archdiocese, the clergy, the monastic fraternities, parishioners and representatives of state and political authorities. But it was the Archbishop's address later in the night that really captured the hearts of Greek Australians across Australia. He said, and I quote:

I arrive among you without having seen you, yet I feel as if I have known you for many years.

I have come from distance, Crete, the homeland of your previous Archbishop, yet I feel that I am coming home.

I want to assure you that this day, in fact this very moment is precious and unique in my heart and in my life.

And I am aware that this day and moment are also decisive and vital for the future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Perhaps now is the appropriate time, the kairos, for our church to bear witness to broader Australian society, and to share her gifts and treasures abundantly with the wider community.

Music to my ears, Mr Acting President. He continues:

I am aware that this day is vital for the future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia…I come from afar, but I feel I am coming home because of our common ecclesiastical roots.

Embracing his new home of Australia, the Archbishop emphasised his desire to not exclude, and again I quote, 'the many Australian citizens who want to get to know the spirituality of orthodoxy.' He went on to say:

I would like to make the Orthodox Church reach out to the Australian people.

From this day until my last breath, I belong to Australia…I vow before the Australian flag.

What a way to welcome and warm himself to not only the Australian Greek community but also the wider Australian community.

Before leaving the conference, the new archbishop paid respect to the Australian flag and anthem, pronouncing 'Advance Australia Fair, thank you and God bless'. I note on Monday that Prime Minister Scott Morrison also paid tribute to Archbishop Makarios in a statement in which he reflected on the archbishop's contribution to the Greek Orthodox communities in Europe and his new mission, which brings him across the world, ministering to a people who treasure their ancient faith in a new land.

'I am sure he will embrace his new role in service to the Australian Greek Orthodox community with the same force and fervour that has characterised his vocation so far,' the Prime Minister said. On behalf of SA-Best, I echo the sentiments of our Prime Minister and welcome Archbishop Makarios to our country and look forward to him visiting Adelaide and meeting with our local multicultural communities in due course.

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