Archbishop Makarios of Australia: “Let us be proud of our Orthodox faith”
The Archbishop’s homily, delivered at the end of the Divine Liturgy over which he presided, focused on the Lord’s commandment: “Love your enemies,” as heard in the day’s Gospel reading (Luke 6:31–36). His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia presented the three states of human life and relationships, the “according to nature,” the “contrary to nature,” and the “above nature.” He explained that love for those close to us and for our benefactors belongs to the category “according to nature.” In contrast, when a person does not love his friends and family, and his benefactors, he falls into the state “contrary to nature.” But when one loves his enemy and prays for him, he ascends to the higher state, which is “above nature.”
Observing that the commandment “Love your enemies” is found in no other religion, the Archbishop stressed that it is not a human saying but a divine one: “It is something that no human mind could have conceived. No one could have thought of it unless he were truly God and man, as Christ was.” Concluding, he emphasised that this commandment “always makes me feel deeply proud to be Orthodox,” calling on the congregation to strengthen within themselves that same pride in the Orthodox faith.
Concelebrating with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios were Their Graces Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Bishop Evmenios of Chora, and Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra; His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese; Archimandrite Ignatios Mourtzanos, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos; and Archimandrite Eirinaios Trialonakis, Parish Priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas, Marrickville. Among the large congregation were the Greek Minister of Culture, Ms Lina Mendoni, accompanied by her special advisor Ms Anna Panagiotarea and other associates, the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, His Excellency Mr. Stavros Venizelos, and the General Secretary of the Archdiocesan Council and Archon of the Great Church of Christ, Mr. Theo Penklis, together with his wife Marianna.
His Eminence welcomed the presence of Greek Minister Mendoni and journalist Anna Panagiotarea, praising their character, achievements, and service, and noting that their visit was a great honour for the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Observing that we live in a time generally lacking charismatic figures in all areas, he stated that Ms. Mendoni stands as an exception to that rule, describing her as “a person who truly gives a new tone, a new voice, a new colour to the political leadership of our homeland.” “I know that she works with full awareness,” he added, “without a personal agenda. She cares for one thing only, how our Nation will advance. That is why we love and respect her. And that is why the Holy Archdiocese of Australia has honoured her with its highest distinction, the Order of the Christ-loving with a Star.”
In her response, Minister Mendoni expressed the gratitude of the Hellenic Republic toward the Greeks of the fifth continent, who preserve within their hearts love for their homeland and for Orthodoxy. “It is you who make Greece great,” she remarked.
Finally, Archbishop Makarios extended his warmest wishes to the parish priest, Father Eirinaios, who recently undertook the ministry of Parish Priest of the vibrant Parish of Saint Nicholas in Marrickville. He described him as a blessed clergyman endowed with many gifts, zeal, and a spirit of unity, expressing confidence that he will fulfill his mission faithfully and effectively. Earlier, Father Eirinaios had welcomed His Eminence with words of filial love and respect, thanked him for his trust, and assured him of his complete dedication and obedience for the spiritual growth of the parish.
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