Holy Diocese of Perth: Lecture Commemorating the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council
On Wednesday evening, 2 July 2025, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth delivered an insightful lecture at the Parish of Saints Constantine and Helene on the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325AD), providing a clear and profound explanation of its significance.
His Grace delivered the lecture to a large and diverse gathering, which included many young people, catechumens, and converts. Notably in attendance was the Very Reverend Archimandrite Makarios Souris, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St John in Forrestfield, along with other Greek Orthodox clergy and representatives from the Uniting and Baptist Christian Churches.
His Grace’s lecture addressed the Arian controversy, highlighted the Synod as the voice of the Church, explored the practical relevance of the Nicene Creed in daily Christian life, and underscored the vital role of Saint Constantine in preserving the unity of the Church.
Referring to the Holy Eparchial Synod of our Holy Archdiocese, His Grace stated:
“And today, here in Australia, we are blessed to have our own local Eparchial Synod, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. This is a precious gift, recently granted to us by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. But what does it mean that Australia has its own Eparchial Synod? It means that when our local Church faces challenges or important decisions, these are not resolved by the Archbishop alone, but by the gathering of all our bishops, in a spirit of unity and prayer. The bishops of Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Chora all come together, beginning with prayer—representing not themselves, but the faithful in their respective dioceses.”
His Grace Bishop Elpidios then briefly spoke about the Council of Jerusalem, as recorded in the Book of Acts, reminding all that this pivotal gathering laid the foundation for the synodal structure of the Church. He concluded by reflecting on the recent Patriarchal and Synodal Encyclical issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.
The theological lecture was preceded by a Supplication Service to the Theotokos, conducted in English, held in the church.
His Grace conveyed to everyone in attendance the paternal love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
