Archbishop Makarios of Australia: “Even today, in an age of challenges and the pursuit of pleasure, the Priesthood remains a compelling vocation”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 19 July, at the Cathedral of the Dormition of Our Lady in Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, on the third and final day of his pastoral visit to the capital of Queensland. On this Sunday, the Orthodox Church commemorates the 630 God-bearing Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which was convened in Chalcedon in AD 451.
Reflecting not only on the spiritual legacy of the Fathers of the Council of Chalcedon but also on the enduring witness of Saint Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia, His Eminence addressed the large congregation gathered for the Divine Liturgy. The occasion was the ordination of Mr Panteleimon Angeli to the Holy Diaconate, who received the name Porphyrios in honour of the beloved modern saint of the Orthodox Church.
In his address, Archbishop Makarios offered paternal words of guidance to the ordinand, first expressing his profound joy that yet another young and highly educated man had chosen to dedicate his life to the priesthood. “Although you are a young man of education and culture who could have pursued a successful career in the secular world, you have chosen instead the path of dedication to Christ and His Church,” the Archbishop observed.
He continued: “This is truly a noble work, an example that fills us with hope for the future and a powerful testimony that even today, in an age of challenges and the pursuit of pleasure, the priesthood remains a compelling vocation, especially for people who, as I have said, possess every opportunity to follow a very different path in the world.”
His Eminence then explained why he had bestowed upon the new Deacon the name Porphyrios, encouraging him to imitate the virtues and example of his heavenly patron. “Your connection with the Garden of the Mother of God and with the Fathers of Mount Athos,” he said, “is an invaluable spiritual inheritance that will accompany you throughout your life and become a refuge in times of temptation. It was my desire to seal this spiritual bond with the Holy Mountain by giving you the name of one of the great contemporary saints of our Church, Saint Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia, a true beacon amid the spiritual darkness of our age.
“I call upon you to study his life and teachings with diligence and perseverance, making him your guide and model in both your life and ministry. Imitate his example according to the measure of your strength and become a true disciple of his.”
The Archbishop recalled that Saint Porphyrios was above all a man of perfect love, reconciliation and spiritual freedom. “This,” he emphasised, “must also be the measure of your ministry within the Church: love.”
Quoting the Saint’s teaching, Archbishop Makarios reminded the newly ordained Deacon that Christians should not wage direct war against the passions or against evil itself, because in doing so they often remain inwardly attached to them. Rather, they should strive to love Christ ever more deeply, remembering that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Citing another of Saint Porphyrios’ well-known counsels, His Eminence encouraged the new Deacon not to fall into the temptation of battling darkness itself, lest he lose the peace of his own soul and bring unrest and division into the Church. “Saint Porphyrios taught us not to fight the darkness,” the Archbishop reminded him, “but rather to seek to bring a little light.”
“This,” he concluded, “is the spiritual inheritance that I entrust to you today. May your life and ministry become a radiant and shining witness, leading as many people as possible to the one true Light, who is Christ.”
Present for the ordination were His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, who Fr Porphyrios will assist, together with numerous clergy of the Holy Diocese of Brisbane, as well as the newly ordained Deacon’s parents, relatives and close friends.
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