On evening of Friday, 4 October, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived at Sydney International Airport as part of his official visit to Australia. The Patriarch will preside over the centenary celebrations of the Orthodox Church in Australia. The airport was filled with Orthodox Christian Australians eager to greet their spiritual leader.
The faithful chanted the “Pheme” of the Ecumenical Patriarch, while young Greek children in traditional costumes presented him with flowers. Archbishop Makarios welcomed Patriarch Bartholomew “to his home,” highlighting the significance of celebrating the Church’s centenary with “one of the most globally recognised and charismatic religious leaders of our time.”
“It is difficult to describe what makes a leader, especially today when there is confusion between a leader and a manager. In the person of Patriarch Bartholomew, however, the role of a leader becomes meaningful and is embodied in its highest and most God-pleasing form,” Archbishop Makarios said.
“Welcome to a place rightly called a mosaic of cultures, languages, and beliefs. Welcome to the fifth continent, where the Greek Orthodox faith and tradition have flourished and are bearing spiritual fruit, which I am sure you will experience during this blessed apostolic visit of Yours,” he continued. He also expressed his affection: “Your Holiness, we love You very much. Welcome to Australia. Welcome to Your home.”
An emotional Patriarch Bartholomew responded: “Today, under the Southern Cross, one of my deepest desires, nurtured for almost 30 years – to see the Orthodox faithful of Australia, whom I love and have missed very much – has been fulfilled. Not a day has passed without me praying for your progress and spiritual well-being. Australia may be geographically the most distant province from the Sacred Centre, yet you remain closer than ever to my heart.”
He also reflected on the centenary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and expressed gratitude to the pioneering immigrants who sowed the seeds of the Holy Gospel in this distant land. He made special mention of his predecessor, the late Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII, who in 1924 “laid the foundations for the flourishing Orthodox community we see today.”
Patriarch Bartholomew encouraged the faithful “to courageously pass on to 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 reign.”
“Looking at the faces of the multitude gathered here today, we see the reflection of God’s love in your warm welcome. This is vivid confirmation that we are all created in the image and likeness of our Creator, called to live in harmony and peace. This is something we must all strive for, especially as we pray for peace among all people, particularly those currently at war in Ukraine and the Middle East.”
Federal Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite greets All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived at Sydney International Airport last night.Photo: Markellos Petropoulos
The arrival of Patriarch Bartholomew marked not just a milestone for the Church but a renewed bond between a spiritual leader and his faithful, one that will echo far beyond the centenary celebrations.
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