Archbishop Makarios of Australia: “The Church existed before all the ages”
The great feast of Pentecost was celebrated with particular splendour in Adelaide, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who currently is undertaking a pastoral visit to South Australia. His Eminence officiated during the Matins Service and, subsequently, presided over the Divine Liturgy, assisted by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope and His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis.
The Divine Liturgy took place at the Church of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Adelaide, where present among others, were the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, His Excellency Mr. Stavros Venizelos, and the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Mr. George Psiachas. After the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Vespers and read the kneeling prayers for the feast of the Holy Spirit.
During his sermon, he referred to the great ecclesiastical event of Pentecost and emphasised that “the Church existed before all the ages.” “We are not celebrating the birthday of the Church today, but the manifestation of the Church in the world and history,” he explained. “The descent of the Holy Spirit, which constitutes the whole institution of the Church, is an additional gift to humankind, so that we may share in the sanctifying grace of God. The Holy Spirit is what alters us and transforms us and claims us to become gods by grace”, pointed out His Eminence.
After the Divine Liturgy and the Vespers Service of Kneeling, a reception was held in the Parish Hall, during which vice-president, Mr. Zacharias Partou, addressed the Archbishop and welcomed him with warm words, expressing the gratitude of all for what he has provided during his five-year ministry to the Greeks of the fifth continent. His Eminence thanked Mr. Partou and, through his person, the entire Parish Council, while also referring to the great, historical event of the completion of 100 years since the establishment of the Holy Archdiocese and also the preparations being made for the imminent visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Australia.
