Archbishop Makarios, the new primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, arrived on Saturday in Melbourne in his first official visit to the city with the highest concentration of Greeks in the country.
People dressed in traditional clothes greeted him upon his arrival at the airport. Archbishop Makarios will meet with many parishioners, Greek schools and other community groups during the visit through to 15 August.
Later, A doxology took place at St Eustathios, the church brimming with people of all ages.
The Archbishop had organised meetings with the Consul-General of Greece in Melbourne Dimitrios Mihalopoulos, Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau, State Opposition leader Michael O’Brien, along with plans to meet with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, said that he was looking forward to the primate’s visit to the Greek Centre.
“We had the privilege some years ago to have Archbishop Stylianos make his first visit to the Greek community of Melbourne. That visit marked a turning point in the relationship between the Greek community and the Archdiocese.”
The visit to Melbourne represents “a continuation of our excellent relationship but also the start of a new path of collaboration and friendship.”
– Source: au.greekreporter.com