On Sunday, May 8, the Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women and the feast day of St. John the Evangelist, Father Anthony Tinawi was ordained by Metropolitan Basilios at St. Mary Dormition Church in Mount Pritchard, Sydney.
The Metropolitan in his speech to the ordained encouraged the new Priest to undertake his ministerial duties with courage and zeal leading people to the path of Christ.
On his part, the new ordained father Anthony first expressed his gratitude to H.E. Metropolitan Basilios Saying:” A great and sincere thank you to Sayedna Basilios for his love, encouragement, care, and kindness in patiently calling me and in holding my hand as I am walking my first steps into my new ministry and for his trust in me”.
He then referred to his calling saying: “It is a great blessing to be able to serve the Alter of God. An idea that I have been pondering upon for a long time. Once I let go of my mind, my heart had only one answer: “Yes Lord”.
He concluded by saying: “Thank you to my wife Dalia and my children Georges and Alice for being always supportive and loving and taking an active part in this life-long journey. Please remember me in your prayers, that God helps me to serve him and his people to the best of my ability”.
After the Divine Liturgy, the congregation congratulated the newly ordained Priest and together with the Metropolitan and the clergy shared a meal of agape that had been kindly prepared by the ladies’ society and parish council members of the church.
Fr Anthony is a dentist by profession, in 2001 he joined St. George’s Mission in Wellington, New Zealand and has since been an active member, serving as chanter and council member in different roles.
He is worthy.
