Elevation to Protopresbyter

On 9 May, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated the memory of the holy martyr Christopher in the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern, Sydney. This year’s feast day of St Christopher held special significance for His Eminence as it marked the first anniversary of his unanimous election as Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Due to public health orders and restrictions in NSW, matins and liturgy were served behind closed doors by His Eminence together with a few clergymen.

During the service, His Eminence also conferred the title of 'Protopresbyter' upon Fr Anastasios Bozikis (BTh, 1995), alumnus and current lecturer in Church History at St Andrew’s, this being the highest ecclesiastical distinction for a married priest. This honour was also conferred upon College alumnus, Fr Peter Mavrommatis (BTh, 1998), who currently serves as Principal of St Euphemia College, Bankstown, as well as upon Fr Pandeleimon Hrissafis, parish priest of the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Redfern.