Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the worldwide head of the Greek Orthodox Church, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
The event, described by Albanese as “historic,” was part of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s tour of Australia, marking 100 years since the founding of the Greek Orthodox Church in the country. Albanese and Patriarch Bartholomew participated in a procession at the Redfern cathedral and met with parishioners.
This visit to Redfern is significant as it’s only the second time Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has toured Australia, with his first visit occurring in 1996. As the leader of 300 million Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide, including over 400,000 in Australia, his presence drew many members of the Greek Orthodox community to Redfern.
Albanese, who represents the nearby electorate of Grayndler, highlighted the importance of the Greek community in Sydney’s inner west. He stated, “As someone who has had the honour of representing Marrickville for nearly 30 years and called the inner west my home for even longer, I have witnessed first-hand the remarkable contribution that generations of Greek Australians have made to our nation.”
The event attracted numerous community members, with crowds gathering outside the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Redfern.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s tour of Australia is set to continue over the next week, further commemorating the centenary of the Greek Orthodox Church in the country.
Published 5-October-2024
