Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople emphasized the role of priests’ families as “healthy models” during an era when “the God-given institution of Christian marriage and the traditional family is being attacked like never before.”
His remarks were made on October 9 during a meeting with priests and their wives in Sydney and Canberra, Australia.
“As we observe, the clergy here are filled with sound traditional principles and the pure Orthodox priestly ethos, living in obedience and devotion to the Church and their Shepherd,” said His All-Holiness.
He further highlighted that priestly families continue to serve as healthy examples “in an era when incidents of family violence are increasing, especially in an extreme form, and where the God-given institution of Christian marriage and the traditional family is being attacked like never before.”
Patriarch Bartholomew also addressed the challenge of secularization. Despite this trend, the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia “strongly resist the levelling logic of secularisation and walk firmly in the path of the Fathers and the apostolic traditions of our Holy Church,” His All-Holiness stated.
In a special mention, Patriarch Bartholomew praised the role of priests’ wives, who “quietly, humbly, and silently struggle in their offering to the Church, and are worthy of much praise and congratulations.”
In conclusion, the Ecumenical Patriarch warmly congratulated Archbishop Makarios of Australia for strengthening the clergy “family” in the diocese, “which he has increased during his brilliant and blessed hierarchical ministry with fifty-eight new educated and cultivated clergy and twelve monastics.”
Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to Australia coincides with the centennial anniversary of establishing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Photo: Greek Archdiocese of Australia / Marianthi Karadoukas
