Elevation to Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne

On 23 May, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated matins and the divine liturgy for the Fourth Sunday of Pascha in the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern, Sydney, including a memorial service for the repose of the victims of the Battle of Crete which was fought eighty years ago. Prior to the memorial service, His Eminence – with the permission and blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I – elevated College alumnus Fr Peter Mavrommatis (BTh, 1998) to the rank of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, the first alumni to receive such a distinct honour. Deeply moved, His Eminence read the Patriarchal Beneficence Letter and then warmly congratulated Fr Peter, urging him to continue with devotion in his God-loving and fruitful priestly ministry. In closing, the Archbishop wished Fr Peter many years to rejoice in this blessed and high office, which is the highest honour that a married clergyman may receive. In his address, Fr Peter expressed his gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios as well as to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Fr Peter currently serves as Principal of St Euphemia College, Bankstown.