On Sunday, June 28, Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Athanasios in Rookwood, Sydney, where he ordained the Chief of the temple, Father Ioannis Gryllis, as spiritual father and confessor.
In his sermon, the Archbishop referred to the day’s pericope, and presented to the faithful the spiritual lessons that emerge for the people of our time.
He urged the faithful to dedicate themselves exclusively to Christ and the Church, and have the Kingdom of Heaven as their first priority in life. “Let us trust everything to Christ with all our confidence,” he said.
During the ordination of Father Ioannis, Archbishop Makarios said that Fr. Ioannis was a clergyman who worked for Christ and the Church with great devotion and self-sacrifice. He urged Father Ioannis to show great love to the people who will turn to him for support and affection.