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Archbishop of Australia ordains new presbyter During pastoral visit to Brisbane

July 18, 2026 · 1 min read

Archbishop Makarios of Australia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Church of St. Paraskevi in Brisbane on Saturday, July 18, as part of his three-day pastoral visit to the capital of Queensland.

During the Divine Liturgy, and concelebrating with Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, the Archbishop ordained Deacon Theophylaktos Loizou to the holy priesthood. The newly ordained priest will serve as parish priest of the Parish of St. Paraskevi in Brisbane.

Addressing the ordinand with paternal advice, Archbishop Makarios observed that the greatest failure and spiritual decline of modern humanity is the loss of trust in God.

He explained that when a person loses trust in God, one of two things happens: either they place themselves in God’s position, believing they can accomplish everything on their own, or they fall into despair, where everything appears futile and meaningless, life loses its purpose, and every prospect seems destined to fail.

Continuing his address, Archbishop Makarios noted that Fr. Theophylaktos had thus far lived his life with trust in the will of God, and that it was God who had guided his steps to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

“He has…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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حنا معلوف

God bless the new Father Theophylactus. I heard His Eminence’s words about losing confidence in God and how it leads to arrogance or despair. This touches on the reality we live in on a daily basis in Zahle. I wish him a blessed service in Brisbane.

Максим Зайцев

It’s good that the bishop spoke directly about the loss of trust in God - this is really the most painful place now. Here in Samara, too, many either take it upon themselves or completely give up. Let the new Father Theophylactos serve calmly and with the same trust with which he has walked until now.

Andrzej Wiśniewski

It's good that the archbishop spoke so simply about the loss of trust in God - it really hits the nail on the head. Here in Hajnówka, a lot of people either want to solve everything on their own or get discouraged. May the new Father Theophylaktos serve with the same confidence with which he has walked so far.

Иван Кирилов

It is good that the archbishop spoke clearly about the loss of trust in God - this is indeed the biggest problem today. And here in Burgas, many people either pretend to be omnipotent, or simply give up on everything. May the new Father Theophylactos serve in peace in Brisbane with the trust with which he has come this far.

Атанас Марков

I agree with you, Ivan, this is exactly what you can see in our neighborhood - some are proud that they can do everything by themselves, and others just give up and sit on the bench in front of the block. It's good that the archbishop said it straight, without mincing words. I wonder if the new father will be able to convey this trust to the people there, who are quite different from us.

سلمى حداد

May God truly bless Father Theophylactus. What His Eminence said about trusting in God applies to Zahle as well as Brisbane. Every day we see people either trying to control everything on their own or falling into despair. Have you experienced in your service there that trust in God is what differentiates between the two?

Методи Попов

Yes, Ivan, that's exactly what trust is about. I have also seen in the church here in Varna how people who try everything on their own, then come empty-handed and tired. I wonder if the new father will be able to talk about this to his parishioners in Brisbane, where life is faster and louder.

نور عبود

Yes, Salma, His Excellency’s words are very accurate. In my service here in Homs, I noticed that whoever trusts in God can accept what he cannot control without collapsing. Did you try this thing with your family in Zahle?

كميل خوري

Yes, Salma, you are absolutely correct. I also noticed in planting my small garden in Damascus that when I leave things to God’s will, even if I cannot control the weather or the soil, the result turns out much better than when I try to impose everything. Did you try this thing with your children in Zahle?

نادين حداد

Yes, Nour, what you say is absolutely correct. Trusting in God allows a person to put his affairs in order without being broken. I tried this thing with my eldest son when he got sick two years ago. He used to say, “It’s over, God knows best,” and the time actually passed quietly. Have you noticed the same thing with the young people who come to church in Homs?

جورج عبود

Yes Nadine, what you are saying is realistic. I also noticed that young people in Tripoli who come to church talk about “God knows” when they face exams or family problems, and this relieves them a lot. Did your eldest son participate more in prayers after he recovered?