ADELAIDE – Photos: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
In an atmosphere of spiritual joy and emotion, on Sunday, November 27th, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Thyranoixia of the new Cathedral of the Archdiocesan District of Adelaide, which is dedicated to the Holy Wisdom of God. A large number of faithful attended this historic event for the local Church and the Hellenism in South Australia.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were Bishop Silouan of Sinope, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of Adelaide; Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of Brisbane; Archimandrite Makarios, Abbot of St John Monastery in Perth, as well as the local clergy.
In attendance was the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas.
In his speech, Archbishop Makarios underlined the need for the acquisition of a new Cathedral and the Holy Archdiocese offices in Adelaide, while he explained what inspired him to name the Church after “Hagia Sophia, the Holy Wisdom of God”. Among other things, he emphasized: “It was a gift from God that we found and bought this old and historic church which belonged to the Protestants, here in the city centre, so that we have a decent base for our needs and for the services of the Archdiocese. The name of the Church will be Hagia Sophia, that is, the Holy Wisdom of God, so that every time we refer to this Church, we are being transferred to Constantinople and to our Patriarchate. Let us remember the great Hagia Sophia and our Patriarch who guards the Thermopylae and enlightens the Orthodox Church with his life and his Patriarchal ministry”.
The address of Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Adelaide, was also very moving. After thanking His Eminence for blessing the new Archdiocesan Cathedral and for his support in this monumental project, he emphasized what a great blessing is to be included among the founders of a new church, and indeed an Archdiocesan one. “The Church always prays for the founders of its churches”, he added. His Grace also expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to this project. In recognition of their labor and efforts, Archbishop Makarios offered them gifts prepared by the ladies of the Philoptochos Society.
In the end, the Archbishop of Australia praised the contribution and ministry of Bishop Silouan thanking him for his ecclesiastical and spiritual work in Adelaide.
