With the Blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, from Monday, 16 January 2023, 70 young men from the Orthodox Youth Boys Groups (Boy’s Omathes) of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society of Sydney participated in their annual 6-day Summer Spiritual Retreat together with their leaders.
The Retreat centre was visited on Tuesday 18th January 2023 by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, accompanied also by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope and Archdeacon Athenagoras. All the boys and camp leaders welcomed their Shepherd chanting hymns at the entrance of the Retreat centre.
Afterwards, His Eminence was welcomed by Fr. Eusebios, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of the most Holy Mother of God ‘Pantanassa’, and Dr. John Psarommatis, President of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, who then both offered warm greetings to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and expressed their gratitude to His Eminence for blessing the Retreat with his presence.
His Eminence then had the opportunity to address words of spiritual edification to the young boys who participated in the Retreat, whilst encouraging them to love Christ and to place Him as the number one priority in their lives. Reflecting on the Retreat song that the boys sang, His Eminence commented “that although a life of belonging to God has its challenges, it is awesome and worth it”.
The young boys chanted hymns, sang Christian songs and shared their Retreat experiences so far, speaking of the messages they have received from their participation in spiritual activities under the general theme: “I belong to God” (Gen. 50:19). Also, they young men also thanked His Eminence for the time he offered to them all in order to visit and communicate with them.
Finally, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia greeted each of the boys individually as well as the camp leaders, and presented each of them with an icon as a blessing, while they expressed their joy that they were given the opportunity to communicate with their Spiritual Father.
