Last Sunday 9th November our Church was blessed with a liturgy and visit by HG Bishop Antonios Markos, Bishop of African Affairs, together with Mrs Debbie Armanious and a number of Afrophile youth. Once again, it was possible to experience how the warmth of the sincere Christian love that always emanates from His Grace can shrink the world down to nothing and make people who live oceans apart feel like just one family.

It was of course His Grace who was present at the opening of main CHurch building in 1987, and he has often visited since then. It was the first time for His Grace to pray the liturgy in St Stephen's Chapel. Following a beautiful spiritual liturgy in English, His Grace enjoyed the usual banquet prepared by the wonderful ladies of the Church and gave an interview for Aghape TV with Dr Effat Shehata. He then met with the Outreach servants informally, imparting his valuable and rare wisdom and experience to guide them as they reach out to the non-Coptic community of Mt Druitt. Finally, the youth enjoyed a marvellous session with His Grace in the Church Hall where it soon became evident that he has lost none of his quick wit, eloquence or deep Orthodox spirituality.

May the Lord preserve His Grace Bishop Anotnios Markos for the sake of evangelism everywhere, and impart to us all but a small portion of his serene Christian love.