On the 14th of October, in the Church of St. Eustathios at the Melbourne Diocese headquarters was graced with the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, joined by Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The welcoming reception included Bishop Kyriakos, Oakleigh Grammar School’s eager students and their teachers, Saint Eustathios’ parishioners, and the Diocese’s staff.

The parish received a warm greeting from Protopresbyter Christos Dimolianis, to which Patriarch Bartholomew responded with heartfelt gratitude, reminiscing about his previous visit 28 years ago and acknowledging the warm hospitality of Archbishop Makarios, Bishop Kyriakos, and the parish community.

During a formal lunch in his honor, Bishop Kyriakos highlighted the critical role of unity in the Church, noting that it is rooted in the communion with Christ and the congregation. He commended the Ecumenical Patriarch as an exemplar of such unity, which he deemed a holy responsibility.

Patriarch Bartholomew, in his speech, called upon the community to actively demonstrate the global nature of Orthodoxy and to safeguard their ancestral customs, traditions, and language. He underscored these elements as vital for the Greek Diaspora’s endurance and spiritual prosperity, and he inspired the youth to stay connected to their heritage, reminding them that a Greek may be a global citizen but always holds onto their faith, language, and cultural values.

The visit of the Patriarch underscored the importance of upholding robust cultural and spiritual connections within the Orthodox community, to ensure the transmission of these values to the coming generations.