A Priestly Synaxis of the Clergy of Sydney was held at the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, and his entourage, Archimandrite Vasilios Papadakis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Anastasia of Rome in Rethymno, and Archimandrite Theologos Papalevyzakis, Spiritual Councillor of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Arkadi. Also present were Their Graces, Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese.
In his opening remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the clergy for their decisive contribution to the excellent preparation and successful organisation of the festive events that took place in Sydney, during the recent blessed visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Then, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, who participated and distinguished himself at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, where the first correct terms of Christian doctrine were formulated, His Eminence spoke didactically about the Synodal Institution of the Orthodox Church and about the value of its synodal consciousness and expression.
Finally, the Archbishop provided the necessary instructions on current administrative and practical issues, while a short speech was delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, who expressed his spiritual joy for the opportunity given to him to communicate and reflect with the Holy Clergy and the pious faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Also, the Hierarch of the Church of Crete congratulated everyone for the magnificent reception and hospitality of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Australia, stating that, by watching the Patriarchal Divine Liturgies that were broadcast online, he himself participated experientially in the joy of the local Church.
