Macarius of Australia: "Life without Christ is death; with Christ, even death becomes a gateway to eternal life"translated

In a gloomy atmosphere, on Sunday, August 2, in the evening, in the packed Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, in Sydney, the 1st Prayer Rule to the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated, under the patronage of the Most Reverend Archbishop of Australia Mr. Makarios. Together with the Pastor of the Fifth Continent, the Theophilist Bishops of Perth Mr. Elpidios and Mr. Kyriakos of Melbourne, the Theophilist Assistant Bishops of Miletoupolis Mr. Iakovos, Abbot of St. George Monastery YellowRock, Magnesia Mr. Christodoulos, Chief Secretary of the I. Provincial Synod, and Mr. Kerasuntos Mr. Christophoros, Chancellor of the First Archdiocese of Australia, as well as numerous clergy of the city of Sydney, Presidents and representatives of Organizations and Foundations of the First Archdiocese, religious education teachers, the Presidents and members of the New South Wales GO Youth and the Brotherhood of Orthodox Students of NSW "Sofia", and many students of Greek Orthodox Colleges and Catechetical schools.

As the Mass marked the beginning of the period of spiritual preparation of the faithful for the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, His Holiness,…