Archbishop Makarios of Australia: “Our union with God takes place at the Holy Altar”

With ecclesiastical splendour and in an atmosphere of spiritual joy and emotion, the Consecration of the Church of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in the Adelaide suburb of Athelstone was celebrated on Saturday, 22 August. The service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who also presided at the first Divine Liturgy celebrated upon the newly consecrated Holy Altar, concelebrated by Their Graces Bishop Silouan of Adelaide and Bishop Elpidios of Perth.

In his address, His Eminence expounded with theological depth upon the significance of a church consecration, emphasising that it refers not merely to the sanctification of a church building, but primarily to the spiritual renewal of the faithful.

“At the centre of Orthodox Christian life stands the Holy Altar,” he emphasised, continuing: “Here the Church on earth is united with the Church in heaven. Here time encounters eternity. We may be good people. We may be generous. We may perform good works and lead respectable lives. Christianity, however, does not aim merely to make us better people. It aims to unite us with God. And this union takes place here. It takes place at the Holy Altar. It takes place through the Holy Mysteries. It takes place when we approach the Holy Chalice and partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. For salvation is not merely an idea, nor simply moral improvement. Salvation comes from our union with Christ.”

The Archbishop then prayed that “today’s Consecration may become a new beginning for each of us” and urged the faithful of the Parish to make the newly consecrated church their spiritual home and the Holy Altar the centre of their lives.

The Shepherd’s address also included an expression of gratitude towards all those who had contributed, by any means and in any manner, to the progress of the Parish Community of Athelstone. Among others, he praised the contribution of the first Parish Priest, the late Fr Athanasios Dalianas, and the first President, Byron Stavropoulos, who laid the foundations of the Parish three decades ago through the purchase of a building and adjoining residence. He also praised the present Parish Priest, Fr Efthymios Efthymiou, who played a leading role in the construction of the new and magnificent Church of the Newly Revealed Martyrs Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene. Addressing Fr Efthymios and his co-workers, His Eminence thanked them for their unwavering devotion to the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and prayed that they would receive God’s abundant blessings throughout their lives.

Finally, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia thanked His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth for his presence, while praising the God-pleasing episcopal ministry of the local Bishop, His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide. He asked the clergy and faithful of the Holy Diocese of Adelaide to cooperate harmoniously with their Bishop. “The message of our Archdiocese is, and shall always remain, two words: love and unity,” he emphasised in conclusion.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop elevated the Parish Priest, Fr Efthymios Efthymiou, to the rank of Protopresbyter. Filled with emotion and gratitude, Fr Efthymios thanked his Chief Shepherd for the honour and, more broadly, for his efforts to renew the entire Archdiocese of Australia ecclesiastically and spiritually.

Archbishop Makarios praised Fr Efthymios’ contribution and thanked him for the considerable labour he had undertaken in assuming responsibility for the completion of the church. Among the numerous faithful who participated prayerfully in the Consecration service and the Divine Liturgy were the Archons of the Great Church of Christ, Mr Vladimir Devrelis, Mr John Kiosoglou and Mr Antonios Michael.