Over one hundred supporters of the Greek Archdiocese gathered at Sydney international airport last Tuesday to greet Archbishop Makarios, the new Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

The Assistant Bishops of the Archdiocese, the Clergy, the Monastics, and the faithful, together with representatives of the state and federal authorities, offered a warm welcome to the new Archbishop.

"I want to assure you that this day, this moment is precious and unique in my heart and my life," Makarios said.

"I am aware that this day is vital for the future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia…I come from afar, but I feel I am coming home because of our common ecclesiastical roots," he added.

"From this day until my last breath I belong to Australia…I vow before the Australian flag," he said to the assembled crowd.

The new leader was recently appointed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istambul, to replace the late Archbishop Stylianos who died in late March 2019.