Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Community and Parish of Prophet Elias Norwood
I speak in support of this motion which I have moved to ensure that the exceptional community work undertaken by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Community and Parish of Prophet Elias, Norwood is acknowledged in this place and throughout our community.
Mr Speaker, it is with immense gratitude and pride that I stand to recognise and celebrate this remarkable community.
A community I am not by faith or ethnicity part of, but of which I have never felt more welcomed and where I have many friends. Prophet Elias is a place to which I can go and feel the love and devotion from the laity to the clergy and from the clergy to the laity, a place which for me is one of untold joy and privilege to be present in.
Some years ago, I was introduced to the kindly former president of the executive, and exceptional chanter, Andrew Psaromatis.
I was also blessed at this time to meet Father Michael and Presvytera Cynthia Psaromatis. They are both so generous of spirit, and I have valued our conversations.
Father Michael and Presvytera Cynthia also gifted me a prayer book which was, personally, an incredibly important and heartfelt gift to receive.
More recently I met Father Ioannis Ee-oh-ah-niss Choraitis Hore-ah-ee-tiss – or Father John as he is affectionately known, and Presvytera Angeliki. I have had the deep honour of becoming acquainted with Father John. He is a remarkable person, possessed of both extraordinary humility and zeal.
His love and devotion must surely be exceptional in his celebration of faith and spirituality as he tends to his flock, both in the church and during his numerous rounds of hospital and nursing home visits.
The Very Reverend Father Stavros Psaromatis and Presvytera Kyriaki have a status amongst the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Prophet Elias that can only be attained by devoting almost half a life of love, energy and dedication to the foundations of community that they have. 40 years!
40 years of work that saw the institution of catechism for children and adults in English and Greek, weekly bible studies, weekly youth group meetings, a newsletter in English and Greek, and also saw him as Principal of the language school.
Under Father Stavros’ leadership a weekly radio program was initiated, as was a program of visiting Orthodox people in prison.
The Ladies Philoptochos Auxiliary Committee also became more active visiting hospitals, mental health facilities and nursing homes.
Father Stavros even initiated Orthodox Christian Sporting teams including volleyball, tennis, soccer and footy.
And last year at the Norwood Greek Festival it was my great privilege to take part in the presentation by Premier Peter Malinauskas, of a silver platter to honour and recognise the Very Reverend Father Stavros’s and Presvytera Kyriaki’s incredible 40 years of service to the Parish and Community of Prophet Elias.
And Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Father Stavros a very happy and blessed name day for this Saturday, together with all his grandchildren that are named after him. Hronia polla father.
In 2022 I had the great privilege of meeting His Grace, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide. Bishop Silouan is known for his deep commitment to fostering spiritual growth and community within the Orthodox Church.
His leadership and dedication to pastoral care have made a significant impact on his congregation, further promoting a spirit of unity and compassion.
His presence is marked by genuine warmth and dedication to the well-being of others, reflecting his deep faith and commitment to his calling.
I am so very humbled by the warm wishes and communion that the parish and community have personally extended to me these last few years.
Mr Speaker, today I would like to honor and celebrate a rich history that spans 100 years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and the 65th anniversary of the Community and Parish of Prophet Elias, Norwood.
The history of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia is a story of resilience, faith, dedication and hard work.
The first Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, the Holy Trinity in Surry Hills, Sydney, was established in 1898. It was followed shortly after by the Church of the Annunciation in East Melbourne.
These early churches were not just places of worship; they were safe havens for early Greek immigrants, offering comfort and a sense of belonging in a new and often challenging land.
In South Australia, Greek church activities began in Port Pirie in 1924. It was not long before the faithful gathered in Adelaide, and in 1937, the foundation stone of the Church of the Archangels Gabriel and Michael was laid on Franklin Street.
The growing number of Greek immigrants in the Norwood area soon recognised the need for a parish of their own. In 1959, the Community and Parish of Prophet Elias Norwood was born.
The very first liturgy in the newly constructed church took place on the Feast Day of Prophet Elias in 1960.
Since then, the parish has undergone many developments, including the construction of a community hall, youth group hub, a purpose-built Greek School and most recently, a beautiful new marble floor.
Each new addition has strengthened the community, providing a place to commune together in worship, education, and fellowship.
The journey of the Greek Orthodox faith in this country is marked by milestones that serve as reminders of the sacrifices made by all our forefathers.
The Holy Archdiocese of Australia now encompasses over 130 parishes and eight monasteries, and just a few months ago, the Patriarch gave permission for each of the Diocese Bishops to reflect their Australian roots and Bishop Silouan of Sinope became Bishop Silouan of Adelaide.
These milestones are possible because of the hard work and unwavering faith of those who came before.
Of course, Mr Speaker, that spirit of faith, dedication and hard work has not just seen the success of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek Orthodox community has achieved remarkable success across law, medicine, commerce & business, building & construction.
They have also had exceptional success in ensuring their culture endures here in Australia through their vastly successful language schools and through aged care, such as St Basil’s Homes, which also celebrates the significant milestone of their 40th anniversary this year.
These three anniversaries alone, and the professional success achieved by so many, speak to the incredible determination to maintain a connection to culture and language, and to thrive as a community.
They have done this here in South Australia, in fact across the whole country, but the connection doesn’t end there, it is maintained across the seas with family and friends back home in Greece and in Cyprus.
Mr Speaker, today I also wish to honour, in particular, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Community and Parish of Prophet Elias, Norwood for their incredible contributions, not only to their local community but more broadly, to Australian society.
Their efforts reflect the values of kindness, generosity, and deep-rooted faith that have guided their mission for generations.
I have had the privilege of building friendships with the Community and Parish of Prophet Elias since 2019, and in these years, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable spirit of this community.
Over the years I have been welcomed into their Church and been invited to share in the spiritual celebration of Holy Days, for which I am eternally grateful.
The love and warmth in abundance in the church is unmistakable and it is, therefore, a great personal honour to be able to speak to this today.
The pinnacle of that community work is always the annual Norwood Greek Festival which was again enjoyed this year by so many friends and neighbours who came from far and wide.
The word “culture” can mean so many things. I believe culture is demonstrated in the way a community celebrates itself.
The generosity, hard work and fun which go into preparing for the Norwood Festival is awe inspiring. It signifies what the Parish and its members consider important from their Greek heritage.
Certainly, there is beautiful food and drink, enthusiastic dancing and singing but most importantly there is a sense of sharing, a willingness to open their arms to others and celebrate a proud tradition of a strong and compassionate community life.
It is also a place where our Ukrainian Orthodox community has been welcomed to celebrate their culture and enjoy the warmth and support of the wider community as they confront the tragedy in their homeland.
The Norwood Greek Festival is more than just an opportunity to enjoy delicious food, vibrant music, and traditional dances. At the heart of this event is a deep sense of connection—between generations, between neighbours, and between cultures.
I have personally shared in the joy of volunteering at the sweets stand, working alongside other volunteers to make sure that everyone can enjoy the beloved loukoumades, which, I must say, are always extremely popular!
Every year we struggle to keep up with demand, with long queues of festival go-ers patiently waiting for fresh homemade loukoumades!
I very much enjoy volunteering on that stall, where we all work cooperatively and diligently to serve Greek sweets to a large crowd, as quickly as possible.
It is moments like these that show how much a simple act, such as serving food, can bring people together and create lasting bonds.
The festival’s success would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the parishioners, volunteers, and leaders of Prophet Elias.
Each year, they pour their hearts into making the festival a joyful, welcoming, and meaningful event for all who attend. Their commitment to preserving and sharing their culture and faith is truly commendable.
In addition to their cultural contributions, I would like to recognise the exceptional work of the Archdiocese Parish and Community of Prophet Elias in their many fundraising efforts.
One program that stands out is the 5 Loaves Initiative. Led by the tireless efforts of the esteemed Philoptochos; the Ladies Auxiliary of the Archdiocese Parish and Community of Prophet Elias, Norwood.
This initiative, born of a desire to spread a sense that all people matter, was to provide sandwiches and rolls to over 45 families in emergency housing every week.
However, it now includes people who are experiencing homelessness, meaning, over 450 sandwiches and rolls for both the homeless and families in emergency housing, are prepared each week.
Recently, the program expanded to include the donation of 100 toaster presses, allowing families to enjoy warm meals during the cold winter months.
The Coordinator at Prophet Elias, Mrs Mary Bambacas and the Philoptochos should be so proud of this initiative which keeps on expanding and growing every day.
The giving does not stop there. Through their partnership with Lutheran Care, Prophet Elias also continues to deliver essential food and care packages to those in need across Adelaide.
And let us not forget the incredible work done by the youth, in the Neighbours in Need program.
Mr Speaker, it is so impressive to see the younger generation stepping up to make a tangible impact by distributing clothes, food, and other essentials to the homeless across our city.
In addition to this, is the awe-inspiring work done for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
In this spirit of giving, Father John and the dedicated youth of Norwood's Ark stepped forward to bring joy and comfort to those in need.
Through their Christmas Toy Drive, they collected over 600 donations of new toys – a remarkable achievement!
These toys were donated to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, helping to brighten the lives of over 230 families during the Christmas season.
The Women’s and Children’s Hospital noted that this was the largest single donation of toys they had ever received from one organisation.
It speaks volumes about the generosity and community spirit of the parish and especially the dedication of the youth.
Mr Speaker, it is not just during the holidays that Prophet Elias Norwood steps up to help those in need.
Throughout the year, members of the parish, alongside Father John, make regular visits to community members who are isolated, bringing comfort and support to those who are lonely or disconnected, reminding them that they are not alone.
Additionally, through fundraising and donations, the parish has provided much-needed support to missions in Madagascar and Fiji, helping to lift up those in need across the world.
These initiatives remind us that charity begins at home but does not stop there. It is about showing love and care for our neighbours, both near and far, reaching out to those who need help, whether they are in our own backyard or on the other side of the world.
I want to recognise the youth of Norwood’s Ark, and all those who have contributed to these incredible charitable efforts.
Their generosity and kindness have made a real difference in the lives of so many, and they remind us all of the power of giving back.
I was also personally struck by the strong contingent of parishioners from Prophet Elias at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Norwood this year.
The role of the Australian Armed Forces in Greece is one of the less well-known stories of the Second World War, but Greek people will tell you of their gratitude and admiration for the Australian Forces who fought bravely through the valleys and mountains to hold back the invading forces in 1941. It was wonderful to share in that special service with members of the Parish.
As these important anniversaries in the life of the Greek Orthodox community in Australia and in my community of Norwood are celebrated, I reflect on the journey that brought this wonderful community so far.
Not only has the church been blessed by the dedicated service of its priests, including the tireless 40-year ministry of the Very Reverend Father Stavros Psaromatis and the current leadership of Father John, but also the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly to keep the heart of this parish beating.
From the dedicated members of the Philoptochos, to the youth groups and community members who help at every festival, fundraising drive, and charity initiative, to the teachers and chanters, to the families and individuals – their work, their commitment, their dedication does not go unnoticed.
I also acknowledge the great contribution of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios who is so supportive of the clergy and volunteers here and recently visited Prophet Elias for its name day in July.
And, I acknowledge the Executive committee – currently led by the kind and good-hearted President George Morias, but previously led by equally good and dedicated people who have ensured the church’s success.
It is because of their selflessness that this community continues to thrive, not only as a place of worship but also as a beacon of hope and charity in Adelaide.
Looking back on the 65-year history of Prophet Elias Norwood, it is clear, the giants of today, stand on the shoulders of the giants of yesterday, whose extraordinary efforts set an equally extraordinary foundation.
The Parish is strong and unified. I feel blessed to know those who I know already, and excited to meet those I’ve not yet met. Long may Prophet Elias Norwood continue to be a place of worship, fellowship, and charity for generations to come.
Hronia polla ke evlogimenas.