With a spirit of pastoral care and watchfulness over the life of the Church, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia has gently but firmly addressed the growing presence of clergy on social media, calling for renewed discernment rooted in the Orthodox understanding of ministry.
The Synod convened from 14 to 16 April 2026 under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, during the blessed period of the Pentecostarion. In its regular session, the Synod prayerfully considered a range of ecclesiastical matters, arriving at decisions guided by the sacred canons and the enduring tradition of the Church.
Among the issues discussed was the increasing tendency of some clergy to present themselves on digital platforms as independent voices of preaching and teaching. While acknowledging the potential of modern means of communication, the Synod expressed concern that such activity, when not exercised with proper spiritual guidance and accountability, may shift the focus from the salvation of souls to personal visibility.
In this light, the Synod reaffirmed with clarity and humility that the ministry of preaching and teaching is not a matter of personal initiative, but a sacred responsibility entrusted above all to the Bishop, the canonical shepherd and guardian of the faith. Within the life of the Church, all pastoral activity finds its proper order and blessing through this episcopal ministry.
Seeking not to condemn but to guide, the Holy Synod announced its intention to issue a Synodal Encyclical to all clergy and monastics of the Archdiocese. This forthcoming directive will offer practical and spiritual guidance, aiming to preserve the integrity of the Church’s witness and to guard against tendencies that may lead to secularisation or misunderstanding of the sacred pastoral calling.
The Synod’s message is one of balance—recognising the realities of the modern world while calling the faithful, and especially the clergy, to remain rooted in humility, obedience, and the authentic ethos of Orthodox life.
Concluding its proceedings, the Holy Synod offered prayers for the peace of the whole world and for the inner peace of every person, echoing the petition continually lifted in the Divine Liturgy: “for the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls.”
Photo Credit: Greek Archdiocese of Australia