Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane at the annual Paniyiri Greek Festival of Brisbane

With the Blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane attended the annual Paniyiri Greek Festival organised by the Parish and Community of Saint George, South Brisbane.

In his address, Bishop Bartholomew spoke about the importance of preserving our rich Greek heritage, our language and our faith. Moreover spoke about the great relationship between Australia and Greece, a relationship that was reinforced only last week when the Ambassador of Australia in Greece, Her Excellency Alison Duncan hosted a luncheon for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the presence of both His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

In addition, His Grace thanked the politicians for their presence and urged them to continue to support and assist all our Parishes and Communities of Queensland.

In conclusion, His Grace thanked the countless volunteers for assisting in the organisation of the event and conveyed to all the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

Amongst the distinguished guests were the Honourable Premier of Queensland, Mr David Crisafulli MP, the Honourable Minister for Multiculturalism, Ms Fiona Simpson, the Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism Mrs Charis Mullen, the newly elected Federal Member of Griffith, Ms Renee Coffey, State Parliamentarians Mr John Barounis MP and Dr Barbara O’Shea, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Mr Adrian Schrinner, the Honorary Consul-General of Greece in Brisbane, Mr George Mastrocostas and Ms Freda Valassakis, President of the Parish and Community of Saint George, South Brisbane.