Focusing on the fact that our era is dominated by technology, His Eminence Archbishop of Australia Makarios addresses this theme in his Christmas Message for this year. His Eminence makes it clear that the Orthodox Church is not opposed to technology; nevertheless, it expresses its concerns regarding a new virtual reality that is taking shape. Emphasising that the modern person will vainly seek happiness in artificial “Paradises,” he counters that “true joy, fullness of life and existence are found in Christ, whom the Church proclaims and who is born again this year of the Virgin, bringing to humanity, wounded by wars and injustices, the message of peace, hope, and joy.”
Following is the full Message of His Eminence Archbishop of Australia Makarios for the Feast of Christmas:
MAKARIOS
by the mercy of God, Archbishop of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Primate and Exarch of All Oceania, to the God-loving Chorespiskopi and Bishops, the gracious clergy and monastic communities, to the Presidents of the honourable Ecclesiastical Committees and Philoptochos Associations, to the teachers and students in the Schools, to those who work in the philanthropic institutions and to all the Christ-loving plenitude of the Orthodox Church in Australia, grace and peace from our Saviour Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem.
Most Honourable Brother fellow-Bishops and my beloved children,
I do not think that anyone can deny the fact that our age is dominated by technology—indeed, by the technology of the internet and Artificial Intelligence—with their many capabilities that inspire admiration, awe, but also intense concern. The “spirit of technology” influences, or rather increasingly penetrates, our lives, and we observe this not only through social media and the countless dating applications, but also in our simple everyday lives, which are now connected to—and indeed dependent upon—our mobile phones.
Our Church is certainly not opposed to progress, nor to development, or technology; nevertheless, She expresses Her concerns regarding the new virtual reality that is taking shape. We praise the possibilities that technology offers, but we must not forget that Artificial Intelligence, for example, may be able to write excellent prayers, yet it will never be able to pray. Social media may make our lives more pleasant, but they also steal the most precious gift we possess—especially that of young people—which is time, a gift that slips away and never returns. Just consider how many hours you spend each day in front of your mobile phone screen…
Contemporary humanity will search in vain for happiness within these artificial “paradises”. True joy, however, the fullness of life and existence, is found in Christ, whom the Church proclaims and who is once again born this year from the Virgin, bringing to a humanity wounded by wars and injustices the message of peace, hope, and joy.
With paternal sentiments, I pray that the peace and joy of Christ may dwell in all our hearts, and that the New Year of 2026 may bring to you, your families, and the whole world the gifts coming forth from the Cave of the Nativity.
Merry Christmas and many blessings for the New Year.
In Sydney, on the 25th of December, 2025
With fervent prayers,
† Archbishop MAKARIOS of Australia
Primate and Exarch of All Oceania
vema.com.au