Hundreds of Greek Orthodox faithful gathered in Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport on Tuesday to welcome the recently elected Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

Dozens in the crowd donned traditional Greek dress as others held Greek and Byzantine Empire flags.

“From this moment, until the end of my life, I belong to Australia,” Makarios said during a press conference.

“I give glory to God for this great blessing of being the new archbishop of Australia,” he added (in Greek).

Archbishop Makarios’ arrival in Australia comes one month after he was elected unanimously by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. He will replace late Archbishop Stylianos, who passed away in March at age 83 following almost 50 years of service.

A native of Heraklion, Crete, the new archbishop also arrives at a time when the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been replacing aging Greek Orthodox leaders in various continents.

In America, the Patriarchate elected Archbishop Elpidoforos of Bursa, while Great Britain recently welcomed Metropolitan Nikitas Loulias as its new archbishop.

Australia has one of the world’s largest Greek Orthodox communities, including 120 parishes, eight monasteries and hundreds of thousands of faithful across the country.

Photos: Archbishop Makarios’ Arrives at Sydney Airport

Official Video From Archdiocese of Australia