The memory of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, friend and beloved disciple of Christ, was solemnly celebrated today in Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the Divine Liturgy at the homonymous chapel, which is located next to the St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop stressed that “Saint John the Theologian is a great saint of our Church,” he underlined, “because he did not accept the status quo and did not act with human logic.”
He stressed, “We cannot directly fathom the courage of St. John. But by reading the Book of Revelation, we will find the answer. Saint John speaks of the lukewarm people, that is, those Christians whose faith lacks in zeal and whose behavior he does not accept. That is a message to everyone. To reach the extremes of Christ’s love.”
Concluding his speech, the Archbishop gave a piece of advice to the present professors of the Theological School: “Do not compromise with the mediocre and the superficial. The Church wants people who are eager to go to extremes. To dare, not to be afraid, to have courage and liveliness. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. You should be afraid of inaction and passivity. I call on you to follow the bright example of St. John by leaving the zone of misery and idleness, especially those who are afflicted by those two, and reaching to the point where everything is construed only by love and faith in Christ and His Holy Church.”