Sydney: His Grace Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria at the Church of Saint Euphemia in Bankstown
On Sunday, 26 November 2023, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria, of the Church of Cyprus, visited the Church of Saint Euphemia, in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown, and officiated at the Matins and presided over the Divine Liturgy.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis welcomed His Grace Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria to the Parish and thanked him on behalf of the Archbishop for accepting His invitation to officiate at the Church of Saint Euphemia.
His Grace Bishop Bartholomew introduced Bishop Gregorios to the congregation stating that Bishop Gregorios was a close friend and colleague of the late Archbishop Chrysostom I of Cyprus, a polite, learned Hierarch, who respects the Ecumenical Patriarchate and His All-Holiness, our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
In addition, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew emphasised the love and respect His Eminence Archbishop Makarios has for the newly elected Archbishop of Cyprus, His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios and asked that he would convey the best wishes of His Eminence, the Assistant Bishops, the Clergy and Laity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia to the spiritual leader of the church of Cyprus.
In closing, Bishop Bartholomew spoke about the importance of praying for our beloved Cyprus and that the Greeks of Australia have a special love in their hearts for the island.
In his reply, His Grace Bishop Gregorios thanked Bishop Bartholomew for his kind words and asked that he may convey his gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Bishop Gregorios also thanked the Parish Priest of Saint Euphemia Church, Father Panagiotis Protopsaltis, for his love and dedication towards the Church.
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a light brunch was offered in the adjacent hall providing an opportunity for the faithful to converse with Bishop Gregorios and again to obtain His blessing.
