Parish of St Andrew Noarlunga South Australia Celebrating Thirty Blessed Years 1986-2016

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga

Celebrating Thirty
Blessed Years
1986-2016





THE GREEK ORTHODOX PARISH OF ST ANDREW NOARLUNGA
CELEBRATING THIRTY BLESSED YEARS 1986-2016

PUBLISHED BY THE GREEK ORTHODOX PARISH OF ST ANDREW, NOARLUNGA.
CORNER OF BEACH AND MORTON ROADS, CHRISTIE DOWNS, SA 5164
P.O. BOX 551, NOARLUNGA CENTRE, SA 5168

FIRST PUBLISHED: 2016
© COPYRIGHT 2016

© GREEK ORTHODOX PARISH OF ST ANDREW, NOARLUNGA

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE RIGHTS UNDER COPYRIGHT, NO PART OF THIS
PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN OR INTRODUCED INTO A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM,

OR TRANSMITTED, IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS (ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL,
PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR OTHERWISE), WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE

COPYRIGHT OWNER, THE WRITER AND THE PUBLISHER.

ISBN: 978-0-646-95770-8

The Greek Orthodox Parish of
St Andrew, Noarlunga,
South Australia

Celebrating Thirty
Blessed Years
1986-2016

This book,

commemorating the Thirtieth Anniversary of the
Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga,

is humbly dedicated to the Founders, Donors,
Volunteers and the New Generation who have
worked tirelessly for the glory of God in this

blessed region of South Australia.

Contents

The Life of Holy Apostle Andrew from the Synaxarion
by Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite
Message from the Archbishop of Australia
Message from the Premier of South Australia
Message from the Consul General of Greece in South Australia
Message from the State Liberal Party Leader
Message from the Chairman of the Board of St Basil’s Homes (SA)
Message from the Parish Priest
Message from the Committee President

Brief Overview and History………………………………... 18
Pictorial History– The Early Years………………………… 33
Pictorial History– The Middle Years………………………. 95
Pictorial History– Recent Times…………………………….134
Additional Historical and Documents………….………… 174

AΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙΟΝ

Ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόκλητος, καὶ τοῦ Κορυφαίου αὐτάδελφος, τὸν Δεσπότην τῶν ὅλων Ἀνδρέα ἱκέτευε, εἰρήνην
τὴ οἰκουμένη δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταὶς ψυχαὶς ἡ μῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all
to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy.

Τῇ Λ΄ τοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνός Νοεμβρίου, Μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίουἐνδόξου καὶ πανευφήμου Ἀποστόλου, Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου.
Ἀντίστροφον σταύρωσιν Ἀνδρέας φέρει, Φανεὶς ἀληθῶς οὐ σκιώδης ἀντίπους.
Σταυρὸν κακκεφαλῆς τριακοστῇ Ἀνδρέας ἔτλη.
Ἁγίου Νικοδήμου Ἁγιορείτου

Οὗτος ἦτον ἀπὸ τὴν πόλιν Βηθσαϊδᾶν, υἱὸς μὲν Ἰωνᾶ, ἀδελφὸς δὲ Πέτρου τοῦ Ἀποστόλου. Οὗτος ἔγινε πρότερον μαθητὴς Ἰωάννου τοῦ
μεγάλου Προδρόμου καὶ Βαπτιστοῦ. Ἔπειτα ὅταν ἤκουσε τὸν Διδάσκαλόν του νὰ λέγῃ, δακτυλοδεικτῶν τὸν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν «Ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ
Θεοῦ ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ Κόσμου», τότε, λέγω, ἀφήσας τὸν Πρόδρομον, ἠκολούθησεν εἰς τὸν Χριστόν. Ἀλλα καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφόν του,
καὶ κορυφαῖον Πέτρον οὗτος εἶπεν: «Εὑρήκαμεν τὸν Μεσσίαν». Καὶ μὲ τὸν λόγον αὐτὸν ἐτράβηξε τὸν Πέτρον εἰς τὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ πνευματικὸν
ἔρωτα. Καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ εὑρίσκονται εἰς τὴν θεόπνευστον Γραφήν, εἰρημένα περὶ τοῦ Ἀποστόλου τούτου. Εἰς ἄλλον μὲν οὗν Ἀπόστολον, ἄλλο
μέρος τῆς Οἰκουμένης ἐκληρώθη, Εἰς τοῦτον δὲ τὸν Πρωτόκλητον, ἐκληρώθη μετὰ τὴν ἀνάληψιν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡ Βιθυνία καὶ ἡ Μαύρη Θάλασσα
καὶ τὰ μέρη τῆς Προποντίδος, ἤτοι τὰ μέρη τὰ ἀπὸ τῆς θαλάσσης τοῦ Μαρμαρᾶ ἀρχόμενα καὶ ἐκτεινόμενα ἕως εἰς τὴν Μαύρην Θάλασσαν,
ὁμοίως καὶ ἡ Χαλκηδόνα καὶ τὸ Βυζάντιον, ἤτοι ἡ νῦν Κωνσταντινούπολις, καὶ ἡ Θράκη καὶ ἡ Μακεδονία καὶ τὰ μέρη ὁποὺ ἐκτείνονται ἕως
τὸν Δούναβιν ποταμόν, ὡσαύτως καὶ ἡ Θετταλία καὶ Ἑλλὰς καὶ τὰ μέρη ὁποὺ φθάνουν ἕως εἰς τὴν Ἀχαΐαν, ἤτοι ἕως εἰς τὸ μέρος ἐκεῖνο τοῦ
Μορέως, τὸ ὁποῖον περιέχεται ἀναμεταξὺ τῶν Βασιλικῶν καὶ τῆς Γαστούνης, ὁμοίως καὶ ἡ Ἀμισός, ἡ καλουμένη Σαμψοῦς καὶ Ἐμὴδ καὶ ἡ
Τραπεζοῦντα καὶ ἢ Ἡράκλεια καὶ ἡ Ἄμαστρις, ἥτις Σήσαμος ὠνομάζετο πρότερον.

Αὐτὰς δὲ τὰς πόλεις καὶ ἐπαρχίας δὲν τὰς ἐπέρασεν ὁ Ἀπόστολος ἔτσι ὀγλήγορα καθὼς ὁ λόγος τὰς περνᾶ. Ὄχι! Ἀλλὰ εἰς κάθε πόλιν
ἐδοκίμαζεν ὁ μακάριος πολλὰ ἐναντία καὶ ἀπήντα πολλὰς δυσκολίας πραγμάτων. Εἰς ὅλας ὅμως εὕρισκε καὶ τὴν βοήθειαν καὶ δύναμιν τοῦ
Θεοῦ, καὶ μὲ αὐτὴν ἐνίκα πάντα καὶ ἐγίνετο κάθε βλάβης ἀνώτερος. Ἀπὸ τὰς ἀνωτέρω δὲ πόλεις μίαν μόνον θέλω ἐνθυμηθῶ ἐδῶ, καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς
θέλω ἀφήσω. Ὅταν ὁ θεῖος οὗτος Ἀπόστολος ἐπῆγεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν τῆς Σινώπης καὶ ἐκήρυξε τὸν λόγον τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου, τότε εἰς πολλὰς θλίψεις
καὶ βάσανα ὑποβάλλεται ἀπὸ τοὺς ἐκεῖ κατοικοῦντας. Διότι οἱ θηριώδεις ἐκεῖνοι ἄνθρωποι ἔρριπτον αὐτὸν κατὰ γῆς. Καὶ πιάνοντές τον ἀπὸ
τὰς χεῖρας καὶ πόδας, τὸν ἐτράβιζον, καὶ μὲ τὰ ὀδόντιὰ των τὸν ἐσπάραττον. Καὶ μὲ ξύλα τὸν ἔδερναν καὶ μὲ πέτρας τὸν ἐκτύπων, καὶ ἔξω τῆς
πόλεως τὸν ἔρριπτον, ὅταν καὶ μὲ τὰ ὀδόντιά των τοῦ ἔκοψαν ἕνα δάκτυλον. Ἀλλ' ὅμως ὕστερον ἀπὸ ὅλα αὐτά, πάλιν ὑγιὴς καὶ ὁλόκληρος
ἔγινε παρὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ Διδασκάλου ὁ θεῖος Ἀπόστολος. Ἀπὸ τὴν Σινώπην δὲ ἀναχωρήσας, ἐπέρασε πολλὰς πόλεις, τὴν Νεοκαισάρειαν, τὰ
Σαμόσατα, ἤτοι τὸ κοινῶς λεγόμενον Σεμψάτ, τοὺς Ἀγανους, τοὺς Ἀβασγοὺς τοὺς ἐν τῷ Κρίμι εὐρισκομένους, τοὺς ἐν τῇ Κολχίδι Ζηκχούς, νῦν
καλουμένους Τζερκέζους, τοὺς Βοσπορικούς, ἤτοι τοὺς περὶ τὸν Κιμμέριον Βόσπορον οἰκοῦντας, καὶ τοὺς Χερσωνίτας. Ἔπειτα ἐγύρισε πάλιν
εἰς τὸ Βυζάντιον, καὶ ἐκεῖ ἐχειροτόνησε τὸν Στάχυν ἐπίσκοπον. Διαπεράσας δὲ τὰς λοιπὰς χώρας, ἐπῆγε εἰς τὴν περιφανῆ Πελοπόννησον, ἤτοι
εἰς τὸν Μορέαν. Καὶ ξενοδοχηθεὶς ἐν ταῖς Παλαιαῖς Πάτραις κοντὰ εἰς ἕνα ἄνθρωπον Σώσιον ὀνομαζόμενον, ὅστις ἦτον πολλὰ ἀσθενής,
ἰάτρευσεν αὐτόν. Καὶ παρευθὺς ὅλη ἡ πόλις τῶν Πατρῶν ἐπίστευσεν εἰς τὸν Χριστόν. Ὅταν καὶ ἡ γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀνθυπάτου τῆς πόλεως Αἰγεάτου,
Μαξιμίλλα ὀνόματι, ἰατρευθεῖσα ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἀποστόλου ἀπὸ τὴν ἀσθένειαν ὁποὺ εἶχεν, ἐπίστευσεν εἰς τὸν Χριστὸν μαζὶ μὲ τὸν σοφὸν Στρατοκλήν,
καϊ μὲ τὸν ἀδελφόν τοῦ ἀνθυπάτου. Καὶ ἄλλοι δὲ πολλοὶ πάσχοντες ἀπὸ διαφόρους ἀσθενείας, ἔγιναν ὑγιεῖς διὰ τῆς ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ
Ἀποστόλου.

Ὅθεν ταῦτα μαθὼν ὁ ἀνθύπατος Αἰγεάτης, ἄναψεν ἀπὸ τὸν θυμόν. Καὶ πιάσας τὸν τοῦ Κυρίου Ἀπόστολον, ἐκάρφωσεν αὐτὸν ἀνάποδα
εἰς τὸν σταυρόν. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὁ ἄδικος ἔλαβε δικαίως παρὰ Θεοῦ τὴν ἐκδίκησιν. Διότι πεσὼν εἰς τὴν γῆν ἀπὸ ἕνα ὑψηλὸν κρημνόν, ἐσύντριψε
τὸν ἑαυτὸν του καὶ κακῶς ὁ κακὸς ἐξέψυξε. Τὸ δὲ λείψανον τοῦ Ἀποστόλου ὕστερον ἀπὸ πολλοὺς χρόνους μετετέθη εἰς τὴν
Κωνσταντινούπολιν μὲ προσταγὴν τοῦ βασιλέως Κωνσταντίου, τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ὑπηρετήσαντος εἰς τὴν μετάθεσιν αὐτοῦ,
Ἀρτεμίου τοῦ μεγάλου Δουκὸς καὶ Μάρτυρος τοῦ ἑορταζομένου κατὰ τὴν εἰκοστὴν Ὀκτωβρίου. Καὶ κατετέθη μαζὶ μὲ τὰ λείψανα τοῦ
Εὐαγγελιστοῦ Λουκᾶ καὶ Τιμοθέου τῶν Ἀποστόλων, εἰς τὸν περίφημον ναὸν τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων. Ἢ κατάθεσις δὲ αὕτη τοῦ Λειψάνου του
ἑορτάζεται κατὰ τὴν εἰκοστὴν Ἰουνίου.

On the thirtieth day of the month November, we commemorate the Holy glorious and all-praised Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
Andrew bears crucifixion inverted, Appearing truly and not as a shadow with feet upwards.
On the thirtieth Andrew the First-Called endured the cross.
Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite

Andrew was from the city of Bethsaida, the son of Jonah, and brother of Peter the Apostle. He was the first disciple of John the great Forerun-
ner and Baptist. Later, when he heard his Teacher say, while pointing to Jesus Christ, “Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of
the world,” he left the Forerunner and followed Christ. And to his brother the Pre-eminent Peter he said, “We have found the Messiah.” With
these words he drew Peter towards spiritual eros for Christ. And there are many other things that are found in the divinely-inspired Scrip-
tures regarding this Apostle.

With the other Apostles, he was chosen by lot to go to other places of the inhabited world. After the Ascension of the Lord the First-
Called was chosen to go to Bithynia, the Black Sea and the places of the Propontis: namely from the Sea of Marmara till the Black Sea. He was
also chosen for Chalcedon and Byzantium: namely Constantinople. He also went to Thrace and Macedonia all the way to the River Danube.
With these were included Thessaly and Greece all the way till Achaia: namely the area of the Morea, which is between Vasilika and Gastouni.
Also Amisus, which is also called Samsun and Emid, and Trebizond, and Heraclea, and Amastris, which was first known as Sisamus.

The Apostle did not pass through these cities and regions quickly. Rather in every city the blessed one was tried by many setbacks.
And he responded to many difficult situations. But everywhere he found God’s help and strength, and with this he conquered all, and was
above all hindrance. Of the cities mentioned above, I only want to remember one here, and leave the rest.

When this divine Apostle went to the city of Sinope, and preached there the word of the gospel, he underwent much torment and suf-
fering by the residents there. For these wild people cast him down to the ground, and taking him by his hands and feet they pulled at him,
and with claws they tore at him. They beat him with clubs and struck him with stones and cast him out of the city, and with the claws they
cut off one of his fingers. After all this the divine Apostle was found again to be healthy and whole through Christ his Teacher.

From Sinope he passed through many cities, such as Neocaesarea, Samosata, commonly known as Sempsat, to the Alani and Abasgi-
ans, who are in Crimea, the Circassians, the Bosporites, namely those who lived in the Cimmerian Bosporus, and the Chersonites. Then he
returned again to Byzantium, where he ordained Stachys as Bishop. Passing through many lands he entered the notorious Peloponnese:
namely Morea. And being hosted by a man named Sosion in Old Patras, he healed there many who were sick. Immediately after the entire
city of Patras believed in Christ, together with the wise Stratocles and the brother of the proconsul. And many others who suffered from vari-
ous illnesses became healthy with the laying on of hands of the Apostle.

When the proconsul Aegeates learned of all this, he became enraged. Capturing the Apostle of the Lord, he had him crucified upside
down. For this reason the unjust one received justice according to God’s vengeance, having fallen to the earth from a high place, and being
crushed the wicked one died wickedly. The relic of the Apostle was later brought to Constantinople by order of Emperor Constantius, the son
of Constantine the Great, which was transferred by Artemios the grand duke and Martyr, who is celebrated on October 20th. And it was
placed with the relics of the Evangelist Luke and the Apostle Timothy, in the famous Temple of the Holy Apostles. The placing of his relics is
celebrated on June 20th.

His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia



A MESSAGE FROM JAY WEATHERILL,
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

On behalf of the Government of South Australia, I extend my warmest
regards and congratulations to all those celebrating the 30th anniversary
of the founding of the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga.

Besides being a centre for worship, your church has always been a place
where people come together in a spirit of goodwill, compassion and
sharing.

In particular, the work the Parish has done in support of the elderly –
especially through the establishment of a high-quality aged care facility
– is outstanding and of great benefit to the people of Adelaide’s south.

I trust that your special anniversary dinner is a night to remember, and I
wish the Parish all the very best for the future.

Jay Weatherill MP
PREMIER

A MESSAGE FROM THE CONSUL
GENERAL

OF GREECE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
MR ANDREAS-KONSTANTINOS GOURAS

I warmly congratulate the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew,
Noarlunga for reaching such a significant milestone – the 30th
anniversary of the foundation of the parish.

With love, determination, dedication and commitment, this parish has
administered to and provided for the Greek Orthodox community of
Noarlunga and the South for over 30 years. Leaders, volunteers and all
members of the Parish are to be commended for their countless
achievements over the last 30 years

This Parish has formed a true community – a place where people care
for one another, where they generously give and receive, and where
they rejoice in their shared faith and values.

This Parish does not only look after the religious and spiritual welfare of
its parishioners. With much love and concern it also provides for the
multicultural, youth, traditional and social needs of a Greek community
which chooses to live in Australia but which seeks to constantly relate
back to the Greek homeland with much love. At the same time, it is a
Greek community which envisages a future whereby the Orthodox Faith,
Hellenism and our invaluable Hellenic heritage will continue to play vital
roles.

I express my heartfelt congratulations to the Parish Priest, the Executive
Committee, the Philoptohos and the Youth of this Parish and wish that
this God inspired work continues for many decades to come.

A MESSAGE FROM
STEVEN MARSHALL, STATE LIBERAL

PARTY LEADER

I wish to convey my heartfelt congratulations to the Greek Orthodox
Parish of St Andrew on celebrating 30 years since its
establishment on 7th December 1986.

This is truly a remarkable milestone – thanks to 30-years of commitment
by a hard working community.

Thank you to the leaders and volunteers for the amazing fundraising
activities and for working tirelessly and selflessly together to build the
church and the parish into what it is today since 1982.

Your strong community spirit and outstanding effort has helped to build
and maintain a beautiful church where all Orthodox Christians are
welcome to pray and worship together in peace and harmony.

Most importantly, for over 30 years the Parish of St Andrew Noarlunga
has upheld the important traditions of its founding members and passed
them on to younger generations. This is something that everyone
involved should be extremely proud of and deserves much
congratulations and admiration.

My very best wishes to the Parish of St Andrew Noarlunga for this most
important 30th Anniversary celebration.

Yours sincerely,

Steven Marshall
State Liberal Leader

A MESSAGE FROM MR HARRY
PATSOURIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE
BOARD OF ST BASIL’S HOMES (SA)

The foundations for St Basil’s Aegean Village aged care facility in
Christie Downs were laid as St Andrew’s Parish began to flourish as a
community enriched with the faith and devotion of many generations
of Orthodox Christian families. At the Aegean Village, we are
honoured and privileged to have had the pastoral care and support of
St Andrew’s over the last 30 years. The Board and team at St Basil's
Homes (SA) congratulates St Andrew’s on this significant anniversary
and we look forward to a strong future together, continuing to work
together and serve those who have given so much to help build our
community.

ΜΗΝΥΜΑ ΤΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΤΙΚΩΣ ΠΡΟΙΣΤΑΜΕΝΟΥ
ΤΗΣ ΕΝΟΡΙΑΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ ΤΟΥ
ΠΡΩΤΟΚΛΗΤΟΥ

Πρεσβ. Μιχαήλ Ψαρομμάτη

Μέ τήν βοήθεια καί φώτιση καί προστασία τοῦ Τριαδικοῦ Θεοῦ, τίς ἀποστολικές πρεσβεῖες
τοῦ Πολιούχου μας Ἁγίου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου, τίς πατρικές εὐχές τοῦ
Σεβασμιωτάτου Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Ἁγίου Αὐστραλίας καί Ποιμενάρχου μας Κ. κ. Στυλιανοῦ,
καθώς καί τήν ἄγρυπνον ἐπιστασία τῶν ἑκάστοτε Θεοφιλεστάτων Ἐπισκόπων τῆς Ἱερᾶς
μας Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς, ἐξαιρέτως δέ τοῦ νῦν Θεοφιλεστάτου Ἐπισκόπου Δορυλαίου κ.
Νικάνδρου, σφραγίσαμε ἤδη τήν ἐν τῆ Ἐνορία ταύτη, πρώτη 30ἐτηρίδα.

Μᾶς ἀξίωσε ὁ Θεός νά διανύσουμε, τήν εὐλογημένη αὐτή χρονική περίοδο, πρός δόξαν
Κυρίου καί νά γευθοῦμε ἀπό κοινοῦ χαρές καί λύπες. Στό βραχύ διάστημα τῆς τετραετοῦς
ἐφημερίας μου σέ τούτη τήν εὐλογημένη Ἐνορία, εἶχα τήν εὐκαιρία, νά ζήσω ἀπό κοντά
τήν πνευματική πρόοδο καί τούς προβληματισμούς τῶν εὐλαβῶν ἐνοριτῶν μου. Ἔτσι, μέ
τήν βοήθεια τοῦ Θεοῦ, μπόρεσα κι’ἐγώ νά γίνω ἕνας μικρός ἀρωγός στήν συνέχιση τοῦ
ἔργου τῆς ἐνοριακῆς ζωῆς τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα στό Νορλάνγκα.

Στήν προσπάθεια συλλογῆς τεκμηριωμένων ἱστορικῶν γεγονότων, γιά τό Λεύκωμα τῆς
30ἐτηρίδος μας, μπόρεσα νά καταλάβω ἔστω καί ἀμυδρά, ὅτι ὄντως ἦταν θέλημα Θεοῦ, ἡ
ἵδρυση τῆς εὐλογημένης αὐτῆς Ἐνορίας στά νότια Προάστεια τῆς Ἀδελαῒδος.

Στήν διάρκεια τῶν 30 ἐτῶν, ἐργάστηκαν καί μόχθησαν κλῆρος καί λαός τῆς περιοχῆς
αὐτῆς, ὥστε σήμερα καί μέ τήν ἀγαστήν προσφορά τῆς Βασιλειάδας καί τῶν ἀδελφῶν
ἐνοριῶν τῆς μητροπολιτικῆς Ἀδελαῒδος, εἴμεθα εἰς θέση νά ἀπολαμβάνουμε τό ὑπέροχο
αὐτό καί πνευματικό καθίδρυμα. Πρός τοῦτο, ἐπικαλοῦμαι τόν Πανάγαθο Θεό, διά
πρεσβειῶν τοῦ Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου, νά τούς εὐλογεῖ
καί νά τούς προστατεύει πάντοτε, τῶν δέ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἤδη ἀποδημησάντων εἰς Κύριον,
αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.

Ἀναλογιζόμενος πώς μέσα σέ τοῦτον τό Ἱερό Ναό, βρίσκεται καί ἐνεργεῖ ὁ Ἴδιος ὁ Χριστός
μας, τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀγγέλλων ὑπηρετούντων καί τῶν μυστηρίων ἐπιτελούντων καί τῶν
πιστῶν μεταλαμβανόντων. Πώς μέσα σέ τοῦτον τόν Ἱερό τόπο, πού εὐλόγησε καί
ἐγκαινίασε ὁ Σεβασμιώτατος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Αὐστραλίας Κ.κ. Στυλιανός, πρίν 30 χρόνια,
τῆ συμμετοχή τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Κλήρου, προστρέχουν οἱ εὐλαβεῖς χριστιανοί καί κατανύγονται
καί δακρύζουν καί συμμετέχουν, καί προσεύχονται, καί παρακαλοῦν καί εὐχαριστοῦν τόν
Δωρεοδότη Κύριο, δέν μπορῶ παρά νά κραυγάσω μετά τοῦ προφήτου: «Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη
τά ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφία ἐποίησας».

Σίγουρα δέν ἀναφέρω αὐτά πρός ἐφησυχασμό, ἀπεναντίας προβάλλω τό μικρό αὐτό
παρελθόν, σάν ἕνα γερό θεμέλιο ἀπαρχῆς, μιᾶς μελλοντικῆς πνευματικῆς καί φυσικῆς
προόδου αὐτῆς τῆς ὄντως εὐλογημένης Ἐνορίας.

Εὔχομαι ἡ εὐλογία τοῦ Ἀναστάντος Χριστοῦ νὰ πλημμυρίζει τὴ ζωή μας, ἡ χαρὰ καὶ ἡ
εἰρήνη Του νά ἐπιστρέψει στὸν κόσμο μας, καὶ τὸ φῶς Του νὰ δείξει διεξόδους στίς κρίσεις
μας καὶ νὰ ὁδηγεῖ τά διαβήματά μας πρός δόξαν Κυρίου. Γένοιτο.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST,

REVEREND FATHER MICHAEL PSAROMATIS

With the enlightenment and protection of the Triune God; the apostolic
intercessions of our Patron Saint Andrew the First-Called; the fatherly wishes
of our Prelate His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia; and the ever-
vigilant supervision of each Bishop of our Holy Archdiocese, notably His Grace
Bishop Nikandros of Dorylaeon, we have reached the first thirty years of this
Parish.

In the brief period of my four years as the priest in this blessed Parish, I have
had the opportunity to experience closely the spiritual progress and the
challenges of my devout parishioners. Thus, with the help of God, I too was
able to become a part of the continual work of the Parish.

During the endeavour of collecting some factual documents of historical
events for the 30th Anniversary Book, I came to understand, that the
founding of this blessed Parish in the southern suburbs of Adelaide was indeed
the will of God.

For thirty years, the clergy and laity of this region have laboured and toiled,
so that today, with the admirable assistance of sister-parishes of metropolitan
Adelaide and Saint Basil's Homes for the Aged, we are in the position of
enjoying this superb and spiritual establishment. Therefore, we entreat the
Most Gracious God, through the intercessions of the Glorious Apostle Saint
Andrew the First-Called, to bless all who have been part of our history and to
protect them always. To those who have departed from this life, may their
memory be eternal.

Upon reflecting that inside our Holy Church, is Christ Himself in action, the
Holy Angels serving, the sacraments being administered, and the faithful
receiving them; and upon reflecting that inside this holy place, blessed and
founded thirty years ago by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia,
pious Christians have come and repented, shed tears, prayed, besought and
thanked the Beneficent Lord; I cannot but exclaim with the prophet: “O Lord,
how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all.” (Psalms
104:24)

I do not mention these things to be content with our progress; on the
contrary, I put forward this history as a strong foundation and the first steps
of a spiritual future. May the blessing of the Risen Christ fill our lives; His joy
and peace reign in our community; His light reveal the solutions to our crises
and guide our steps to the glory of the Lord.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF
THE PARISH OF ST ANDREW,
NOARLUNGA,

MR KONSTANTINOS TAMKALIS

It is with much joy that I extend this greeting to all those people who
contributed to the successful establishment and continual running of our
blessed parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga. I have fond memories of
growing up in our Parish, especially of the hard work that the Parish
Priests, their families, members of every Parish Committee, ladies of
Philoptohos and parishioners carried out and continue to carry out for
the good of our parish.

On behalf of the members of the Parish Committee I take this
opportunity to sincerely thank Reverend Father John Psalios, Reverend
Father Konstantinos Skoumbourdis and Reverend Father Michael
Psaromatis for their spiritual guidance, and tireless service during their
time at our Parish.

I would also like to acknowledge for their most valued servitude, the
past presidents namely: Mr George Mitropoulos, Mr George
Lambropoulos, Mr John Privopoulos, Mr Nicholas Dimopoulos, Mr Richard
Harding and Mr Ioannis Sitaras and the members of their committees as
well as the current Parish Committee, the ladies of the Philoptohos,
parishioner volunteers and members of the youth who have served and
who continue to serve.

I also take this opportunity to thank all those who kindly and
wholeheartedly have assisted financially and donated items to our
Parish.

All honour and gratitude go to the above referred people who worked
very hard and sacrificed much, for the Glory of God and for the progress
of our Parish.

18

Σύντομη ἱστορική ἀναδρομή γύρω ἀπό τήν ἵδρυση καί

δρᾶση τῆς Ἐνορίας

τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου

Παρ’ὅλο πού ἀμυδρά ἐμφανίζεται ἡ δρᾶση τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Αὐστραλίας στήν Νότιο
Αὐστραλία, λίγο μετά τόν δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο πόλεμο καί ἐντονότερα μετά τό 1959, ἡ
Ἐνορία τοῦ Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου ἔρχεται στό
ἐκκλησιαστικό προσκήνιο στίς ἀρχές τοῦ 1982. Τό γεγονός αὐτό ἐνισχύεται ἀπό μιά πληθώρα
ὀργανομένων Ἐνοριῶν-Κοινοτήτων στήν μητροπολιτική Ἀδελαῒδα, καθώς καί σέ
ἐπαρχιακές κομοπόλεις, ἀρχίζοντας ἀπό τόν Ἱερό Ναό Ἁγίου Γεωργίου στό Πόρτ Πίρι. Ἡ
ραγδαία ἐξέλιξη δημιουργίας περισσοτέρων Ἐνοριῶν-Κοινοτήτων, ἄρχεται μέ τήν
πολυπληθή εἰσροή Ἑλλήνων μεταναστῶν, μεταξύ 1950 – 1970. Τό μεγάλο αὐτό κῦμα
Ἑλλήνων μεταναστῶν, ἦταν ἀποτέλεσμα τῆς ἑλληνικῆς ἐθνικῆς ἀστάθειας καί οἰκονομικῆς
κρίσης κατά τήν μεταπολεμική περίοδο, ὅπου χιλιάδες συμπατριῶτες μας βρῆκαν τήν
Αὐστραλία σάν πόλο οἰκονομικῆς καί βιοποριστικῆς διεξόδου. Οἱ Ἐνορίες-Κοινότητες ἐντός
τῆς Ἀδελαῒδος, ἐμφανίζονται σταδιακά, ἀλλά σταθερά, μετά τό σχίσμα, μέ πρωτοποριακή
τήν δημιουργία τοῦ Προφήτη Ἠλία στό Νόργουντ τό 1959, ἐνῶ τό ἴδιο ἔτος καί σέ χρονική
ἀπόσταση μηνῶν, ἐθεμελιώθει ὁ Ἱερός Ναός Ἁγίου Σπυρίδωνος Ἄνλεϋ καί ὁ Ἱερός Ναός
Ἁγίου Γεωργίου στό Θέμπαρτον. Τό 1960 ἱδρύθηκε ὁ Ἱερός Ναός τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ
στό Πόρτ Ἀντελάϊντ,τό 1967 ὁ Ἱερός Ναός τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀντωνίου στό Πρόσπεκτ, τό ἴδιο ἔτος, ὁ
Ἅγιος Δημήτριος στό Μπέρυ, τό 1969 ὁ Ἱερός Ναός τῶν Ἁγίων Κωνσταντίνου καί Ἑλένης
Ρένμαρκ, τό 1973 ἡ Ἱερά Μονή Ἁγίου Νεκταρίου στό Κρόϋντο Πάρκ, τό 1981 ὁ Ἅγιος
Δημήτριος στό Σώλσμπουρι καί τό ἴδιο ἔτος ὁ Ἅγιος Παντελεήμων στό Γκλενέλγκ. Οἱ ὡς ἄνω
Ἐνορίες-Κοινότητες, μέ ἀπόλυτη ὑπακοή στίς ἀρχές καί κατευθύνσεις τῆς Ἱερᾶς
Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Αὐστραλίας, ὁργανώθηκαν μέ Διοικητικά συμβούλια, Φιλόπτωχα Ταμεῖα,
Ἑλληνικά καί Κατηχητικά σχολεῖα, Νεολαῖες καί δρᾶση σέ ὅλες τίς θρησκευτικο-κοινωνικές
ἀνάγκες τῆς ἑλληνικῆς Παροικίας στήν Ἀδελαῒδα. Νέο κῦμα ὁμοδόξων μας μεταναστῶν,
ἐμφανίσθει μεταξύ 1974-1978, ἐκ τῆς μεγαλονήσου Κύπρου, μετά τήν τουρκική εἰσβολή στήν
Κύπρο, ὅπου μέ ἀδελφική ἀγάπη συνεργαστήκαμε σέ ὅλους τούς τομεῖς. Τό ἑλληνικό καί τό
κυπριακό στοιχεῖο, ἔλαβαν πρωτοβουλίες, μέ κέντρο τήν Ἐνορία-Κοινότητα, στήν
διοργάνωση φεστιβάλ, πανηγυριῶν καί θρησκευτικῶν ἐκδηλώσεων, ἐκφράζοντας τήν
πραγματικά ἑλληνορθόδοξη ταυτότητά μας. Ἡ Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή Αὐστραλίας, σάν
ὀργανωμένος ζωντανός καί ἐνθουσιώδης χριστιανικός ὀργανισμός, ὑπηρέτησε καί ὑπηρετεῖ
μέ ἀμείωτο καί ζωντανό τό ἐνδιαφέρον στήν σωτηρία τῶν πιστῶν μελῶν της.

Καθώς τό ἑλληνικό στοιχεῖο ἐξαπλώθει σέ ὅλα τά πλάτη καί μήκη τῆς Ἀδελαῒδος, οἱ σέ 50 καί
80 χιλιόμετρα ἀπ’τό κέντρο τῆς Ἀδελαῒδος εὑρισκόμενοι Ὀρθόδοξοι ἀδελφοί μας, δειλά στήν
ἀρχή καί ζωηρότερον ἀργότερα, ἐξέφραζαν τό παράπονο τῆς μακρυνῆς ἀπόστασης. Ὁ τότε
Θεοφιλέστατος Ἐπίσκοπος Δέρβης κ.κ. Ἰεζεκιήλ, εὐήκοος γενόμενος στήν παράκληση τῶν εἰς
τόν μακρύ νότο τῆς Ἀδελαῒδος διαβιούντων ἀδελφῶν μας, ἔδειξε τό ζωντανό ἐνδιαφέρον
του. Ἦταν γιά πρώτη φορά πού οἱ κάτοικοι τοῦ Ρεϋνέλα, ἐπλησίασαν τόν ἅγιο Δέρβης γιά
τήν ὀργάνωση Ἐνορίας στά Νότια Προάστεια. Ὁ Θεοφιλέστατος, κατόπιν προσεκτικῆς
παρηκολούθησης τοῦ θέματος καί τήν συνεχῆ προσέλευση ἑλληνορθοδόξων ἀδελφῶν μας
στήν περιοχή, ἔστειλε εἰδικούς νά ἐξερευνήσουν καί νά γίνει μιά ἀρχή. Σκοπός τοῦ

19 Σύντομη Ἱστορική Ἀναδρομή

Θεοφιλεστάτου ἦταν νά δημιουργηθεῖ μιά Ἐνορία, δίδοντας καί τό ὄνομα τοῦ Ἀποστόλου
Ἀνδρέου ὅπου ἰδιεταίρως εὐλαβοῦνται οἱ ἑλληνοκύπριοι τῆς περιοχῆς. Ὁ Θεοφιλέστατος μέ
τήν βοήθεια τοῦ κ. Richard Harding ἀπό τό Christies Beach ὁ ὁποῖος προσῆλθε στήν
Ὀρθοδοξία μέ τό ὄνομα Κωνσταντῖνος, ἐθεώρησε νά χρησημοποιήσει τόν Ναό τῶν
Βαπτιστῶν πού βρισκόταν στό Morphett Vale γιά τίς θρησκευτικές ἀνάγκες τῶν πιστῶν τῆς
περιοχῆς. Τελικά λόγω τῶν κτηριακῶν ἐλλείψεων τοῦ εἰρημένου Ναοῦ, ματαιώθει ἡ
ἀπόφαση. Τότε ὁ Θεοφιλέστατος ἔδωσε ἐντολή στόν Mr. Harding νά ἐρευνήσει καί νά βρεῖ 8
ἄτομα, μετά τῶν ὁποίων θά σχημάτιζαν τό πρῶτο Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο, Νοτίων
Προαστείων. Κατόπιν μεγάλης καί ἐπίπονης προσπάθειας, Mr Harding μετά τῆς ἐκ Κύπρου
καταγωμένης συζύγου του Στέλλας, κατόρθωσαν νά βροῦν καί νά συμπληρώσουν τό πρῶτο
Δ. Συμβούλιο, μέ τήν συνεργασία τοῦ Προέδρου τῶν ἑλληνικῶν σχολείων Νοτίων
Προαστείων κ. Γεώργιον Μητρόπουλο, τό ὁποῖο ἁπαρτίσθει ὡς ἀκολούθως: Γεώργιος
Μητρόπουλος (Πρόεδρος) Robert Harding ( Γραμματέας καί Ταμίας), ὁ κ. Κων/τῖνος
Ζωγράφος , ὁ κ. Λ. Μάζης ὁ κ. Γεώργιος Λαμπρόπουλος, ὁ κ. Κων/τῖνος Καπετάνος, ὁ κ.
Σπυρίδων Κορακιανήτης, ὁ κ. Ε. Χατζαντώνης, ὁ κ. Σπυρίδων Φιλίππου καί ἡ κ. Κική
Καπετάνου. Ἐργάστηκαν μέ φιλότιμο καί διοργάνωσαν διάφορες ἐκδηλώσεις, ὅπου στήν
πρώτη χοροεσπερίδα, παρευρέθει ὁ Θεοφιλέστατος Ἅγιος Δέρβης, ὁ ὁποῖος εὐλόγησε τήν
τράπεζα καί συνεχάρει τό πρῶτο Συμβούλιο.

Στήν συνέχεια ὁ Θεοφιλέστατος μέ τήν βοήθεια τοῦ Ἔκδικου Ἄρχοντος τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ
Θρόνου κ. Ἰωάννου Κιοσόγλου, προχώρησαν στήν ἀνεύρεση καταλλήλου τοποθεσίας μέ
φόντο τήν θάλασσα. Μιά γεωγραφική θέση, πού θά θύμιζε στούς μελλοντικούς ἐνορῖτες
τοποῖα ἀπ’τήν πατρίδα τους. Ὁ κ. Κιοσόγλου, ἔφερε τό θέμα στόν τότε ἀρμόδιο ὑπουργό Mr
Terrence Hemmings MP καί στόν τότε ἐπικεφαλή Oἰκισμοῦ Νοτίου Αὐστραλίας Mr. Paul
Edwards, ὅπου ἔφεραν στό προσκήνιο τήν περιοχή πού ἔμελλε νά γίνει τό “Χωριό τοῦ
Αἰγαίου, Aegean Village”. Σέ σύντομο χρονικό διάστημα, ἔγιναν οἱ σχετικές ζυμώσεις καί
τελικά συμφώνησε ἡ Αὐστραλιανή Κυβέρνηση σέ συνεργασία μέ τήν Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή
Αὐστραλίας νά παραχωρήσει τήν ἔκταση αὐτή καί τήν χρηματοδότηση γιά τήν ἀνέγερση τοῦ
Αἰγαιοπελαγίτικου χωριοῦ, μέ τόν Ἱερό Ναό, ὅπως ἔχει σήμερα. Σημιωτέον δέ, ὅτι ἦταν γιά
πρώτη φορά, πού ἡ Κυβέρνηση τῆς Αὐστραλίας προχώρησε σέ κοινοπραξία μέ θρησκευτικό
φορέα, ὅπως ἡ Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή Αὐστραλίας. Τό νέο κοινωνικο-θρησκευτικό συγκρότημα
«Aegean Village», κάτω ἀπό τήν ὀμπρέλλα τῶν ἱδρυμάτων τῆς Βασιλειάδος, κατεγράφει
ἐπισήμως στά μητρῶα τῆς Πολιτείας Νοτίου Αὐστραλίας ὡς συνεταιρικός ὀργανισμός, τό
1984.

Τήν Κυριακή 5 Φεβρουαρίου ὁ Σεβασμιώτατος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Αὐστραλίας Κ.κ. Στυλιανός, ὁ
Θεοφιλέστατος Ἐπίσκοπος Δέρβης κ. Ἰεζεκιήλ, ὁ Ἐντιμότατος Γενικός Πρόξενος τῆ Ἑλλάδος
στήν Ἀδελαῒδα κ. Καραμπέτσης καί ἑκατοντάδες πιστῶν, γευμάτισαν στήν ἐνοριακή
αἴθουσα τοῦ Ἁγ. Σπυρίδωνος Ἄνλεϋ. Ἐκεῖ ἔγινε καί ἡ ἐπισημοποίηση τῆς σημαντικά
μεγάλης ὁμογενιακῆς ἀπόκτησης διά τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Αὐστραλίας, μέ
πρωταγωνιστές, τόν Σεβασμιώτατο, τόν Θεοφιλέστατο, τόν κ. Ἰωάννη Κιοσόγλου καί τόν κ.
Βασίλειο Ταλιαντζή, μέ τήν ἀμέριστη συνεργασία τοῦ Ὑπουργοῦ Mr. Hemming. Στά ἀμέσως
ἑπόμενα χρόνια, χρειάστηκε νά δραστηριοποιηθοῦν τά πρῶτα μέλη καί ὅλοι οἱ ἄμεσα
ἐμπλεκόμενοι παράγωντες, γιά τήν ἐξοικονόμιση τῶν κεκανονισμένων χρηματικῶν ποσῶν,
βάση τῆς κρατικῆς συμφωνίας. Πρός τοῦτο, μιά σειρά ἀπό ἀλεπάλληλες ἐκδηλώσεις
προγραμματίστηκαν, ὅπου οἱ πάντες ἐβοήθησαν στά πλαίσια τοῦ δυνατοῦ.

Σύντομη Ἱστορική Ἀναδρομή 20

Στήν ἀρχή καί κάτω ἀπό μιά τέντα, ἔγινε ἡ πρώτη πανήγυρις στήν μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου
Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα, τό 1984, ὑπό τοῦ νεοαφιχθέντος Ἐπισκόπου Χριστιανουπόλεως κ.
Παύλου. Τήν ἑπομένη Κυριακή, 2 Δεκεμβρίου, ἐτέλεσε στήν ἴδια τέντα, ὁ ἀείμνηστος π.
Γερβάσιος Καμπουράκης τήν Θεία Λειτουργία. Στήν συνέχεια καί γιά περίπου δύο χρόνια,
ἐξυπηρετοῦσαν τήν νεοσύστατη Ἐνορία, Ἱερεῖς, ὅπως ὁ π. Νικόλαος Παύλου, ὁ π. Γερβάσιος
καί ἄλλοι Ἱερεῖς ἐκ περιτροπῆς, στό Drama Room of Christies Beach, ὥσπου τελικά φθάσαμε
καί στήν ἀνέγερση τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ.

Τήν Κυριακή 7η Δεκεμβρίου 1986, ὁ Σεβασμιώτατος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Αὐστραλίας,
πλαισιούμενος ὑπό Ἱερέων τῆς Ἀδελαϊδος, τοῦ τότε Πρωθυπουργοῦ τῆς Νοτίου Αὐστραλίας κ.
John Bannon, τῶν ὑπουργῶν Hemmings and Hurford, τοῦ Δημάρχου τῆς περιοχῆς κ. Gilbert,
ἐκπροσώπων ἀμφοτέρων κομμάτων καί ἑλληνικῶν ὀργανισμῶν, μετά πλήθους πιστῶν,
ἐτέλεσε τής Ἱεράν ἀκολουθία καί ἔθεσε τό θεμέλιον λίθον τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ. Ἀξέχαστο θά μείνει
τό γεγονός, ὅτι κατά τήν διάρκεια τῆς παραμονῆς τοῦ θεμελίου λίθου καί ἐνῶ τά πάντα εἶχαν
ἑτοιμασθεῖ γιά τήν ἑπομένη μέσα σέ μεγάλη τέντα, δυνατοί ἄνεμοι, ἐσήκωσαν καί σκόρπισαν
τήν τέντα, καθίσματα καί λοιπά ἀντικείμενα σέ ὁλόκληρο τό οἰκόπεδο. Αὐτό ἀνάγκασε νά
τελεσθεῖ ἡ Θεία Λειτουργία καί ἡ ἀκολουθία τοῦ Θεμελίου λίθου στό Christie Beach High
School.

Τό 1986, γιά πρώτη φορά βλέπουμε τήν Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή, νά τοποθετεῖ ἐπίσημα τόν
νεοχειροτονηθέντα π. Ἰωάννην ὡς μόνιμο Ἱερέα τῆς Ἐνορίας Ἅγίου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ
Πρωτοκλήτου στό Noarlunga. Οἱ ἐνορῖτες τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα, μέ χαρά
ἀγκάλιασαν τόν π. Ἰωάννη, ὁ ὁποῖος ἄρχισε νά δραστηριοποιῆται καί νά ὑπηρετεῖ στήν θέση
τοῦ ἱερατικῶς Προϊσταμένου, τούς εὐλαβεῖς ἐνορῖτες τῆς περιοχῆς. Τώρα πλέον οἱ ἐνορῖτες τοῦ
Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα, ἔβλεπαν τά ὄνειρά τους νά ὑλοποιοῦνται. Βεβαίως στήν ἀρχή, ὅπως καί
κάθε ἀρχή εἶναι δύσκολη, τό Δ. Συμβούλιο, ἀντιμετώπισε τεράστιες δυσκολίες, ἀλλά μέ τήν
βοήθεια τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τίς πρεσβεῖες τοῦ Ἅγίου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου τίς ἐλάττωναν καί
ὁλοκληρώθηκε ἡ ἀνέγερση τοῦ Νέου περικαλῆ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ.

Στίς 25 Ὀκτωβρίου 1987, ὁ Σεβασμιώτατος ἐτέλεσε τά θυρανοίξια καί στήν παραμονή καί
ἀνήμερα στήν πανήγυρη, ἦλθε καί πάλι ὁ Σεβασμιώτατος νά συμπανηγυρίσει μαζί μας τήν
μνήμην τοῦ Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου. Μέ ἀκμαῖο τό
ἑλληνοχριστιανικό ἡθικό καί ἀμείωτο ἐνθουσιασμό, συνεχίστηκαν οἱ ἐκδηλώσεις γιά τήν
ἐξεύρεση πόρων γιά τόν ἐσωτερικό καλλωπισμό, καθίσματα, εἰκόνες, καμπαναριό,
συντήρηση κτλ., μέχρι πού τελικά ἐτελείωσαν καί μέ τό καμπαναριό πού τό ἔκτισαν μόνοι
τους, μέσα στό 1989.

Ὁ π. Ἰωάννης μετά τῆς Πρεσβυτέρας του Ἑλένης καί μέ τά τρία παιδιά πού τούς χάρισε ὁ
Θεός, συνετέλεσαν τά μέγιστα σέ κείνη τήν δύσκολη περίοδο τῆς νεοσύστατης Ἐνορίας.
Ὑπῆρξε ὅμως καί πάλι ἀνάγκη νά μείνει ἡ Ἐνορία δίχως μόνιμο Ἱερέα, ἀπό τό 1994 μέχρι τό
1998, ὅπου καί πάλι ἐξυπηρετοῦσαν τίς ἐκκλησιαστηκές ὑποχρεώσεις τῶν ἐνοριτῶν, Ἱερεῖς ἐκ
περιτροπῆς, ὅπως ὁ π. Δημήτριος Μωραῒτης, ὁ π. Νικόλαος Παύλου, ὁ π. Χαράλαμπος
Στράτου καί ὁ π. Παναγιώτης Φωτάκης.

Τήν Κυρική 10 Νοεμβρίου 1996, κατά τήν εἰς Ἀδελαῒδαν ἐπίσκεψη τοῦ Παναγιωτάτου
Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίου, ὁ Παναγιώτατος ἐπισκέφθει τό «Χωριό τοῦ Αἰγαίου» ὅπου καί
ἐπισήμως πλέον, ἔγιναν τά θυρανοίξια τοῦ ἱδρύματος εὐγηρίας. Ἐπίσης ὁ Παναγιώτατος
εὐλόγησε τόν Ἱερό Ναό μας καί ψέλνοντας τό Ἀπολυτίκιον τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα εἰσῆλθε

21 Σύντομη Ἱστορική Ἀναδρομή

εἰς τό Ἱερό βῆμα. Παρ’ὅλο πού αὐτή ἡ χρονική περίοδος, κατά τήν ὁποίαν δέν εἴχαμε μόνιμο
Ἱερέα, τά πράγματα δέν ἦταν καί τόσο εὐνοϊκά γιά τήν Ἐνορία, μέσα στό ἔτος 1997 καί μέ
τήν ἀπόκτηση τῆς Ἱερᾶς εἰκόνος τοῦ Ἁγίου Διονυσίου καί τμῆμα Ἱεροῦ λειψάνου τοῦ Ἁγίου,
ἄρχισε μιά ἰδιαίτερη προσέλαυση πιστῶν.

Τό 1998 ἡ Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή, τοποθέτησε μονίμως στήν θέση τοῦ Ἱερατικῶς Προϊσταμένου,
τόν νεοχειροτονηθέντα π. Κωνσταντῖνο Σκουμπουρδή. Μέ ἐνθουσιασμό, ὁ π. Κων/τῖνος
μετά τῆς πρεσβυτέρας του Σοφίας καί τίς δύο θυγατέρες τους, ἐνέργησαν στήν ἐπάνδρωση
τοῦ Δ. Συμβουλίου καί συμπλήρωση τῆς Φιλοπτώχου, μέ νέους καί νεάνιδες τῆς περιοχῆς
Νοτίου Ἀδελαῒδος. Τό γεγονός αὐτό ἐνεθάρρυνε καί ἀναπτέρωσε τό θρησκευτικό
συναίσθημα τῶν ἐνοριτῶν. Τώρα πλέον εἶχε μπεῖ τό νερό στό αὐλάκι, ὅπου πολλοί ἐκ τῶν
ἐνοριτῶν αἰσθάνονται τήν Ἐνορία τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα σάν τό ἀγαπημένο τους σπίτι. Σέ
αὐτήν τήν εὐλογημένη περίοδο, ἐμάνδρωσαν τόν προαύλιο χῶρο τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ,
δημιούργησαν μικρή βιβλιοθήκη μέ ἐνδιαφέροντα χριστιανικά βιβλία, ἔστρωσαν τό
τσιμεντένιο πεζοδρόμιο γύρωθεν τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ, ἐγκατέστησαν σύστημα ἀκουστικῆς,
ἐπίπλωσαν καί δημιούργησαν χώρους ἀποθήκης, ἀπόκτησαν γραφεῖο μέ φωτοτυπικό,
τοποθέτησαν κουζίνα κτλ. Ὅλα αὐτά ἔγιναν μέ τίς φιλότιμες δωρεές τῶν εὐλαβῶν ἐνοριτῶν
μας. Παράλληλα μέ τίς ἤδη προϋπάρχουσες ἐκδηλώσεις, ὁ π. Κων/τῖνος διοργάνωσε
χριστουγεννιάτικες ἐκδηλώσεις, καθώς καί ἐκδηλώσεις ποδοσφαίρου, καλαθόσφαιρας,
ἑλληνικούς χορούς κτλ. Τό 2011 ἡ Ἐνορία τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα, γιόρτασε τά 25 της χρόνια
μέ χοροεσπερίδα, στήν ὁποία παρευρέθηκαν ὑποστηρικτές τῆς Ἐνορίας μας ἀπό κάθε γωνιά
τῆς Ἀδελαῒδος.

Τό 2012, ἡ Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή μετάθεσε τόν π. Κων/τῖνον στόν Ἅγιο Γεώργιο, ὡς ἐφημέριο
μετά τοῦ π. Διογένη Πατσούρη. Στήν θέση τοῦ π. Κων/τίνου τοποθέτησε ἡ Ἱερά
Ἀρχιεπισκοπή, τόν νεοχειροτονηθέντα Ἱερατικῶς Προϊστάμενον π. Μιχαήλ Ψαρομμάτη, ὁ
νεώτερος γυιός τοῦ π. Σταύρου καί τῆς Πρεσβ. Κυριακῆς Ψαρομμάτη, ὅπου ὑπηρετοῦν τήν
Ἐνορία-Κοινότητα τοῦ Προφήτη Ἠλία στό Νόργουντ γιά τά τελευταῖα 32 χρόνια. Οἱ
ἐνορῖτες τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα, ἀγκάλιασαν μέ ἀγάπη καί πολλή χαρά τόν π. Μιχαήλ καί
τήν Πρεσβυτέρα του Σαυρούλα, ὅπου τώρα ἦλθε ἡ δική τους σειρά νά ἐργαστοῦν στόν
ἀμπελῶνα τοῦ Κυρίου, στήν νέα τους Ἐνορία. Ὀργάνωσαν Κατηχητικό σχολεῖο καί θέματα
μελέτης Ἁγίας Γραφῆς, ὅπου μέ τήν πνευματική καθ’ὁδήγηση τοῦ π. Μιχαήλ ἀνέλαβαν
νεώτερα μέλη τῆς Ἐνορίας. Μεταξύ τῶν ἐργασιῶν πού ἐπιμελήθει ὁ π. Μιχαήλ ἦταν καί ἡ
συντήρηση καί τό βάψιμο τοῦ σηδερένιου φράκτη γύρω τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ, ὅπου λόγω τῆς
ἁρμύρας τῆς θαλάσσης εἶχε διαβρωθεῖ. Παράλληλα τό κτήριο καί τά πέριξ τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ναοῦ,
χρειάζονται συντήρηση, κάτι τό ὁποῖο ἔχει ἤδη ἀρχίσει. Ὁ π. Μιχαήλ ἐνήργησε καί ἔλαβε ἡ
Ἐνορία κρατική χρηματική ἐπιδότιση, γιά τό κτήριο τῆς ἀποθήκης πού μόλις ἐτελείωσε, κάτι
πού τό εἶχε ἀνάγκη ἡ Ἐνορία μας.

Ὅλες οἱ ἐκδηλώσεις τοῦ 2016, εἶχαν προγραμματισθεῖ νά γίνονται στά πλαίσια τῆς
30ἐτηρίδας τῆς Ἐνορίας τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα. Ἐπιτυχία ἐσημείωσε τό πρῶτο φεστιβάλ πού
τό ὀνόμασαν «πανηγύρι τοῦ Νότου». Ἐπισημοποιήθηκε τό πανηγύρι τοῦ Ἁγίου Νεοφύτου,
ὅπου πολλοί ἐκ τῶν συμμετεχόντων, συνεχάρηκαν τόν π. Μιχαήλ καί τό ἐνοριακό του
συμβούλιο γιά τήν ἀνανέωση παλαιῶν ἐθίμων πού σιγά-σιγά ξεθωριάζουν.

Ἡ μεγάλη ἐκδήλωση “30th Anniversary Dinner” πού ἔχει διοργανωθεῖ καί ἐλπίζουμε νά ἔχει
θετική ἀνταπόκριση, ἀπ’ὅλους τούς παροικιακούς φορεῖς, θά λάβει χώρα τήν 25η Ἰουνίου

Σύντομη Ἱστορική Ἀναδρομή 22

στό Cyprus Community Centre, Welland. Βεβαίως, ἔχουν προσκληθεῖ ὁ Θεοφιλέστατος
Ἐπίσκοπος Δορυλαίου κ. Νίκανδρος, ὁ Γενικός Πρόξενος τῆς Ἑλλάδος στήν Ἀδελαῒδα κ.
Κων/τῖνος Γούρας μετά τῆς οἰγενείας του, ὁ Δήμαρχος τῆς Πόλεως, ὁ Πρωθυπουργός τῆς
Νοτίου Αὐστραλίας τόν ὁποῖο θά ἀντιπροσωπεύσει ὁ Ὑπουργός Οἰκονομικῶν κ. Ἀναστάσιος
Κουτσαντώνης καί ὁ ἀρχηγός τῆς ἀξιωματικῆς ἀντιπολίτευσης, τόν ὁποῖο θά ἀντιπροσωπεύσει
ὁ Βουλευτής τοῦ Davenport Mr. Duluk MP. Ἐπίσης ἔχουν κληθεῖ, ὁ Ἔκδικος Ἄρχων τοῦ
Οἰκουμενικοῦ Θρόνου κ. Ἰωάννης Κιοσόγλου, καθώς Ἱερεῖς καί Προέδροι Ἐνοριῶν-
Κοινοτήτων καί ἐκπρόσωποι παροικιακῶν παραγώντων.

Πάνω ἀπ’ὅλα, ἡ 30ἐτής Ἐνορία τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου,
συνεχίζει νά διατηρεῖ τά ἤθη καί ἔθιμα τῶν πρωτεργατῶν, παράλληλα δέ, ἔχει ἐπεκταθεῖ καί
σέ νέα προοδευτικά προγράμματα, γιά νά συμβαδίζει μέ τίς κοινωνικο-ἐποχιακές ἀλλαγές.
Τά μέλη τοῦ Δ. Συμβουλίου, τῆς Φιλοπτώχου, τῆς Νεολαίας καί πάντων τῶν συνεργατῶν
στήν πρόοδο τῆς Ἐνορίας τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα ἐργάζονται μέ ἐνθουσιασμό καί πίστη στόν
Θεό γιά τό δικό τους καλό καί τήν πνευματική πρόοδο τῶν ἐπερχομένων γενεῶν. Μέσα στήν
εὐλογημένη πρώτη 30ἐτία, ἔχουν ὅλοι ἀποκτήσει τήν πεῖρα, ὅτι τό μυστικό τῆς προόδου,
βρίσκεται στήν ἀδελφωσύνη καί ἀλληλέγγυα κατανόηση, ἀλλά καί στό πνεῦμα θυσίας καί
αὐταπάρνησης. Αὐτή ἡ Ἐνορία πέτυχε τόν μέχρι τοῦδε σκοπό της, ἔθεσε γερά θεμέλια καί
ὁραματίζεται τό μέλλον μέ αἰσιοδοξία. Μέ τήν δύναμη καί φώτιση τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τίς πρεσβεῖες
τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέα τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου, καθώς καί τήν ἐλπίδα μας πρός τά χριστιανικά
νιάτα τῆς Ἐνορίας αὐτῆς, προχωροῦμε μέ τήν ἐλπίδα, πῶς κάποτε θά ἀποκτήσωμε τό
ποθούμενο δικό μας Ἐνοριακό Κέντρο πού θά στεγάζει ὅλες τῆς θεάρεστες ἐκδηλώσεις τῆς
Ἐνορίας μας. Ἀγναντεύοντας τόν θαλάσσιο ὁρίζοντα πού ἑνώνει τήν θάλασσα μέ τόν
οὐρανό, ἀτενίζεις πιό κοντά τήν πραγματοποίηση τῶν ὀνείρων πού θεριεύει τήν ἐλπίδα τῶν
ὑψηλῶν προσδοκιῶν μας.

23

Brief Overview and History of the
Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga

By the year 1982 the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia was well
established and flourishing in South Australia. This is evident from the plethora of vibrant
parishes which had been established and which comprised of enthusiastic, resourceful, hard-
working Greek migrants. These parishes were primarily created as a direct response to the
large influx of Greek migration which occurred between the 1950s and the 1970s. This wave of
migration was a result of the post Second World War economic recession and political
instability in Greece. Specifically the parishes which were created between 1959 - 1981 to cater
for this need in South Australia were the Communities and Parishes of: Prophet Elias,
Norwood (1959); Saint Spyridon, Unley (1959); Saint George, Thebarton (1959); The Nativity of
Christ, Port Adelaide (1960); Saint Anthony, Prospect (1967), Saint Demetrios, Berri (1967);
Saints Constantine and Helen, Renmark (1969); Holy Monastery of Saint Nectarios, Croydon
Park (1973) and the Parishes of: Saint Demetrios, Salisbury (1981) and Saint Panteleimon,
Glenelg (1981). The aforementioned Parishes and Communities mimicked the homeland of the
relatively new Greek-Australians. The communities and parishes provided the Greek-
Australians with what was considered to be the fundamentals of one's Hellenic identity,
namely faith, Greek language education and culture. At the same time these spiritual, cultural
and educational hubs became junctions for Greeks and Cypriots from many different parts of
Greece and Cyprus. This exchange of varying subtle cultural customs and linguistic differences
strengthened the Greek Orthodox community in South Australia. The early Parishes and
Communities took care of the spiritual and cultural needs of the post Second World War Greek
migrants; by the late 1960s there was a new wave of Parishes and Communities emerging as a
direct consequence of the rapidly growing progressive Greek-Australian community in South
Australia. Greek Orthodox faithful had now established their growing families and had moved
into the outer suburbs or to the Riverland. Parishes and Communities were set up to cater for
this need, specifically in the areas of Prospect, Berri, Renmark, Croydon Park. The church was
now administering not only to the first generation of Greek-Australians but also to the
emerging Second Generation Greek-Australians. This vibrant and diverse group included
many who were the first in their families to be formally educated and begin their careers as
doctors, lawyers, accountants and highly skilled workers in various professions. This group
began to marry, have children and establish their families. By the early 1980s Greek-
Australians had dispersed all over South Australia and were engaged in a vast amount of
professional and social circles in South Australia.

An important group of migrants that began to become integral members of the Greek
Orthodox Parishes and Communities in South Australia were those from Cyprus, especially

Brief Overview and History 24

those who came over as refugees as a consequence of the 1974 Turkish invasion. As the Greek-
Cypriot community in South Australia became larger and further established so was its
participation and active involvement within the Communities and Parishes throughout South
Australia.

By 1982 His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, the then Auxiliary Bishop in Adelaide, was well
aware of the growing Greek-Cypriot community and its valuable input and participation
within the Greek Orthodox Parishes and Communities in South Australia; as well as their
immense piety towards the Orthodox Church and her Saints. It is noted that many Cypriots
living in South Australia would make yearly pilgrimages to the Greek Orthodox Parish of St
Andrew, West Sunshine in Victoria. Together with the parishioners of West Sunshine, mostly
comprising of Cypriots, a celebration would prevail for Saint Andrew, who is one of the most
revered Saints in Cyprus.

Bishop Ezekiel also recognized that there were a small number of Greek Orthodox faithful
residing in the outer southern suburbs of Adelaide, Southern Vales and southern districts who
found it difficult to attend Church as they did not live in metropolitan Adelaide. This
concerned him greatly. He was also aware that Greeks resided and had businesses specifically
in the Reynella area. Corresponding with this, representatives of the Greek Orthodox people of
the southern suburbs and districts voiced an interest in establishing a parish. With these
considerations, Bishop Ezekiel deduced that there might be a need to create a parish in the
area. There was also an idea that in the foreseeable future there may be an increase of Greek
Orthodox faithful in the area so he set out to investigate the plausibility of creating a parish.
His intentions were twofold. Firstly, a reason was to find and establish a parish church at a
suitable location that will spiritually administer to the people of the southern suburbs and
districts. Secondly, to establish a Church named after Saint Andrew to service the large
Cypriot community in South Australia.

Bishop Ezekiel sought the assistance of Mr Richard (Constantinos) Harding a convert to the
Orthodox Faith, who resided in Christie Downs, to look into the possible purchasing of the
Morphett Vale Baptist Church. Mr Harding did some preliminary research and reported back
to Bishop Ezekiel. Together they inspected the site. After thoroughly surveying the site of the
Baptist Church and after much deliberation, they both concluded that the building required
large amounts of repairs and ongoing maintenance that would not be feasible for a small
parish. Bishop Ezekiel then gave Mr Harding the directive to find eight Orthodox Christians
from the southern suburbs and districts and form a committee. This group served the sole
purpose of forming a community, so that there could be a base community for the future fully
functioning Greek Orthodox Parish. Mr Harding and his Cypriot wife Stella tried to engage
Orthodox Christians of the area with this prospect but it was extremely challenging to find

25 Brief Overview and History

people willing to commit to becoming members of this inaugural committee. Beyond finding
committee members, Mr and Mrs Harding raised awareness towards the prospect of having a
parish in the area by distributing flyers and door-knocking. It wasn't until they met Mr
George Mitropoulos, who was the president of the Southern District Hellenic Schools
Association at the time, that they finally felt they had made progress. The Greek Schools
enabled Mr and Mrs Harding to meet with parents. Some of these Greek Orthodox Christians
showed interest in joining the committee, and forming a parish. Shortly after, the founding
committee of the Parish of St Andrew, the first Called Apostle, was established. Its members
included Mr George Mitropoulos (President), Mr Robert Harding (Secretary and Treasurer),
Mr Con Zocrafos, Mr L. Mazis, Mr George Lambropoulos, Mr Kostas Capetanos, Mr Spiros
Korakianitis, Mr E. Hatzantonis and Mr Spiros Phillis. The Philoptohos members comprised of
Mrs Jean Zocrafos, (President) Mrs Georgia Mitropoulos, Mrs Stella Harding, Mrs Anna
Korakianitis, Mrs Mary Phillis and Mrs Kiki Capetanos. This committee worked very hard to
fundraise and to spread awareness. One of the first fundraising dances was held on Saturday
the 11th of June 1983 and was attended by His Grace Bishop Ezekiel, who blessed the banquet
and offered words of encouragement to the community.

At the same time, Bishop Ezekiel requested assistance in finding land for the establishment of
a church in the outer southern suburbs of Adelaide from Mr John A. Kiosoglous, the Archon
Ekdikon of the Ecumenical Throne. With the prospect of establishing a new parish, Bishop
Ezekiel took the opportunity to consider that this property could be different to those of the
Parishes and Communities already established in Adelaide. He envisaged a property that was
close to the sea-side and one that sat at an elevated point. With these geographical
components the Greek-Australians that this parish would tend to could remember the
churches of their forefathers in Greece. With this in mind, Mr Kiosoglous entered into
discussions with the then State Minister of Housing and Construction, Mr Terrence
Hemmings MP, and the then head of the South Australian Housing Trust, Mr Paul Edwards,
concerning acquiring land in the Noarlunga area. The desired land needed to be appropriate
for the building of an Orthodox Church, as well as facilities for the aged. These discussions
represented a partnership with the State Government of the time that recognized the benefit of
assisting communities in providing aged care facilities. The land the church building currently
resides on, was identified, agreed to and purchased by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
Australia. A portion of land was immediately made available for the building of the church;
the balance land was entrusted by the Archdiocese into a newly established board to
administer the facilities of St Basil's Homes for the Aged in South Australia (Vasiliada); that
land now includes the flagship buildings of St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in South Australia
known as Aegean Village. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia was the very first and
only community in Australia to partner with a State Government to build an Aged Care
facility. The Saint Basil's Homes for the Aged in South Australia became an incorporated

Brief Overview and History 26

body in 1984.

On Sunday the 5th of February 1984 His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, His Grace Bishop
Ezekiel, Mr Konstantinos Karabetsis the then Consul-General of Greece in South Australia,
and hundreds of faithful attended a dinner organised by the Brotherhood of Apostle Andrew in
the St Spyridon Parish Hall in Unley. The Brotherhood of Apostle Andrew was a kind of
fundraising arm to the St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College in Sydney. At this
fundraising function Bishop Ezekiel was invited by Archbishop Stylianos to announce to all
those present the unique news about the landmark partnership between the Holy Archdiocese
of Australia and the South Australian Government. Many people present were in awe and
joyous with the prospect of an aged care facility and church at Noarlunga. The next day
Archbishop Stylianos accompanied by Bishop Ezekiel and all the Greek Orthodox clergy of
South Australia visited the Noarlunga Council. At this meeting a formal joint declaration was
made by Archbishop Stylianos and the Minister of Housing Mr Terrence Hemmings MP
which outlined the future building of a large scale aged care facilities project named "Aegean
Village" that would include a nursing home, independent living units and a church. This
declaration was made in the presence of the media who were attracted by the very unique
nature of this partnership. Archbishop Stylianos and Minister Hemmings both praised the
efforts and hard work of Bishop Ezekiel, Mr John Kiosoglous and Mr Basil Taliangis, in
negotiating this landmark agreement. With all this in place, action was taken to ensure that
the church and the aged care facilities became a reality.

During this early period much hard work took place in order to set up a strong community
base whose primary role was to raise money through fundraisers. Fundraisers included
afternoon teas, dances and raffles to form the initial resources that the Parish required and for
the prospective building of the church. Many joint meetings were held between the Board of
St Basil's Homes for the Aged in South Australia and the Parish Committee which discussed
the progress and details of the building of the church and the independent living units. All
these efforts were carried out by a very dedicated and courageous group of men and women
who with the help of God and with the direction of the Holy Archdiocese were able to finally
organise, witness and experience the first ever service conducted on the building site of the
Church. On Thursday evening the 29th of November 1984, the then Bishop Paul of
Christianoupolis (who had been moved to Adelaide to replace Bishop Ezekiel who was
moved to Melbourne), assisted by the Greek Orthodox clergy of South Australia, presided
over the Great Vespers for the feast day of Saint Andrew the Apostle. This service was
conducted under a tent which was set up at the site of the future church building. A few days
later, on Sunday the 2nd of December 1984 and again in the same tent, the Divine Liturgy and
Ground-Breaking Ceremony were conducted by the Very Reverend Father Gervasios
Kambourakis.

27 Brief Overview and History

Following the inaugural Divine Liturgy and Ground-Breaking Ceremony Father Gervasios
continued to administer spiritually to the parishioners and to hold services in the Drama Room
of Christies Beach High School. Later on, Reverend Father Nicholas Pavlou also held services
for the parishioners and attended to their spiritual needs. During this time the Parish was kept
together by the bond which was forming between the parishioners. A real sense of fellowship
and church was beginning to envelop. The pastoral care administered by Fathers Gervasios
and Nicholas assisted greatly to the strengthening of this bond. Another aspect that assisted
the strengthening of the community was the interactions parents and children alike would
have surrounding the Greek School. With their resolute goals in mind, the inaugural
Committee, Philoptohos and volunteers worked tirelessly. This subsequently paved the way
for the formal phase of the Parish's life.

In 1986 the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga was formally established. The
Adelaide born Reverend Father John Psalios, a graduate of Theology from the University of
Athens, was the first formally appointed priest of the Parish. Father John, the son of the Very
Reverend Father Kyriacos and Presvitera Eleni Psalios, had been ordained to the holy
priesthood on the 8th of September 1985. Father Kyriacos Psalios, was Cypriot born and a
pivotal Greek Orthodox Priest of Adelaide. During Father John’s appointment, Father Kyriacos
served as the priest of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of St Spyridon, Unley.

The parishioners at Noarlunga were very pleased with the appointment of Father John because
this gave them more hope of moving forward as they now had a member of the clergy who
was their employed advocate. Despite this advocacy, this was a challenging time in mostly two
ways. Firstly, there were numerous complex demands because of the construction of the
Church. Secondly there was a need to serve, as well as educate, a new and emerging
parishioner base. However, in recent times many parishioners of that original era have
reflected on the warmth and sense of community they felt during this period. Whilst the
church was being built, the faithful continued to gather in the Christies Beach High School
Drama Room where Divine Liturgies and gatherings were held, using office partitions as altar
screens.

On Sunday December the 7th 1986 many Orthodox Christians from across South Australia,
together with distinguished guests, witnessed His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos lay down
the foundation stone of the church building. Distinguished guests from that day included the
Premier of South Australia Mr John Bannon, Ministers Hemmings and Hurford, the Mayor Mr
Gilbert and other representatives of the State and Local Governments. This historic day turned
out to be more eventful than anticipated. In preparation for the Divine Liturgy and Foundation
Stone Ceremony, the committee members and volunteers had erected on the property an

Brief Overview and History 28

enormous marquee where the Divine Liturgy and Foundation Stone Ceremony were to be
held. During the early hours of the morning, a storm descended upon the area and a strong
gale dislodged the tent from the ground and displaced it to the other end of the property.
Tables, chairs, Liturgical furniture and much more were scattered all over the property.
Thankfully members of the St Basil's Homes' board, parishioners and volunteers from across
Adelaide came and helped gather the items and set them up in the Christies Beach High
School Hall. At the end of the Ceremony Archbishop Stylianos blessed and opened the newly
built Independent Living Units of the Vasiliada. Following the official opening, students of the
Greek Schools performed Greek dances and recited poems for the distinguished guests and all
people present.

As time went by parishioners were witnessing their dream materialize. There were many
hardships in the beginning, however by the Grace of God the Parish managed to overcome
obstacles because parishioners were making many sacrifices and working for a common cause.
Impressively, eleven months after Father John had been appointed Parish Priest, the church
building was completed. On the 25th of October 1987 His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos
conducted the Door-Opening (Thyranixia) and very first Divine Liturgy held inside the new
Church. Just over a month later, His Eminence returned for the 29th and 30th of November and
presided at the Great Vespers, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and blessed the festal luncheon
for the Feast Day of Saint Andrew.

The years following were difficult, but the small Parish through much hard-work was able to
continue its fundraising mission which helped to furnish the interior of the Church. The
fundraising efforts made the following fundamentals a reality: iconostasis, right hand
chanters’ box, icons of the iconostasis, icons for the walls by the local iconographer Mr John
Kalentzis, chandeliers, pews and carpet. Many Church liturgical items such as the Gospel,
baptismal font, Church Banners (Lavara), processional cross and candles, altar-boy vestments,
liturgical books and other items were acquired within this time also. With God's help all these
items and Church works were donated by the hardworking people of the Noarlunga Parish.
One of the bigger projects that was carried out in this period was the building of the bell tower
in 1989. In order to save money the parishioners and friends in the building industry built the
bell tower themselves, over two weekends. After it was completed, there was a barbecue lunch
for all the volunteers. The Elia family donated the bell tower in memory of their mother Milia.
Additionally, just after this time, the Parish also acquired the holy icon of Panagia Malevi from
Mrs Maria Kourberlis. This donation started a tradition where the icon is carried in procession
around the church on the Sunday after the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. As time progressed
the wider South Australian Greek Orthodox community was becoming aware of the Parish of
St Andrew. By the late 1980s and early 1990s not only were the Cypriot Orthodox faithful
attending the parish of their much venerated Saint, but Orthodox people from all over the
State began to cram the church, especially on the feast days.

29 Brief Overview and History

Father John and his wife Presvytera Eleni were a genuine blessing for the Parish of St Andrew.
At this particular stage of the Parish's development it required a young bilingual priest and
Presvytera with the enthusiasm and endurance to be able to manage a complex and unique
parish because of its evolving parishioner base and unusual position within the community.
Father John and Presvytera Eleni had three children Kyriacos, Michael and Panayioti whilst at
the Parish. They were able to relate to the younger people in particular young families with
children. This assisted greatly in attracting young families to the Parish and further enhanced
the sense of Orthodox family, community and love within the emerging parish. Father John
continued as the Parish Priest for eight years.

There was no permanent Parish Priest between the years of 1994 and 1998. Various priests who
did serve include Reverend Father Dimitrios Moraitis, Reverend Father Nicholas Pavlou,
Reverend Father Charalambos Stratos and Reverend Father Peter Photakis, however many
other members of the clergy also responded to the needs of the Parish during this time.

On Sunday the 10th of November 1996 as part of the Patriarchal Visit to Australia, His All-
Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew blessed and officially opened the St Basil's
Homes (SA) Aegean Village Aged Care Complex. This was a landmark event and Noarlunga
once again filled with hundreds of Orthodox Faithful who came to witness this historic
occasion. His All-Holiness also entered into the Parish of St Andrew and venerated the Holy
Altar where the dismissal Hymn of Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle was chanted.

Overall, this period proved to be most difficult for the Parish and Greek School mainly because
it lacked an appointed Parish Priest. Despite this instability, the Parish did continue to operate
through the administrative efforts of the long serving president Mr Nikolaos Dimopoulos and
his committee. During these years, people continued to flock to the feast day celebrations from
all over the state. In 1997 the icon of Saint Dionysios along with a pair of the Saint's slippers
were brought over from Zakynthos. The icon was donated to the Parish by Mr Charalambos
Vithoulkas. From this time forth the feast day of Saint Dionysios was also celebrated, initially
on the Sunday after the 17th of December (Saint’s Repose) but later it was celebrated on
the Sunday after the 24th of August (Transferring of the Saint’s relics). These feast days also
began to attract Greek Orthodox faithful from Zakynthos.

In 1998 Reverend Father Konstantinos Skoumbourdis was appointed the new Parish Priest and
remained for fourteen years. Father Konstantinos was originally from Sydney and a proud
graduate of Saint Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College. Father Konstantinos,
Presvytera Sophie and their two children Thalia and Eleni injected new energy and enthusiasm
into the Parish. Father Konstantinos and his Presvytera worked tirelessly to grow the Parish’s
member base. They were indeed successful. With this family centred approach, other families

Brief Overview and History 30

felt comfortable at the Parish. By 2001 the Parish was home to many young families who began
to attend church services regularly knowing that they would see like-minded people and feel a
sense of belonging. This helped to increase the Parish volunteer base and saw the introduction
of younger members into the Parish Committee and Philoptohos.

The hard work and determination of the community during this time under the spiritual
guidance of Father Konstantinos was exemplary. A successful initiative that also helped
parishioners bond was the inclusion of the focused and specific Christian book and craft
shelves positioned in the narthex. Overall, this time of the Parish’s history was marked by a
large amount of successful fundraises for various necessities. Some of the necessities the
growing Parish worked towards included the installation of a secure perimeter fence for the
property; the development of a practical concrete area between the Church and the amenities
as well as the laying of the concrete footpaths around the church building; the installation of a
much needed kitchen, washing area and pantry; the upgrade of the exhaust and other
elements of the narthex; installation of storage cupboards and office furnishings for the Parish
Office; the acquisition of a photocopier and PC; the painting of the Church; significant cleaning
of the walls; installation of the new sound system; the acquisition of new liturgical items; the
refurbishment of the sanctuary with a larger altar table, bookcases and shelving. All of this,
and more which are not included, were made possible by the fundraising and generous
donations of the parishioners.

As well as the physical aspects of development, during this time there was a strong emphasis
on the youth; notwithstanding that the spiritual needs of the older parishioners were at the
same time taken care of. Specifically, for the youth Father Konstantinos was able to implement
many initiatives. These activities included annual Christmas Carols and caroling around Greek
Orthodox homes of the southern suburbs and districts; the making of palm crosses and other
palm creations; a shared soup supper after the Resurrection Service; regular fellowship; Souvla
Sundays; movie and pizza nights; games nights; laser skirmish and paintball outings; quiz
nights; and the team activities of indoor-soccer and basketball. As well as these activities,
Greek Dancing continued to be an important element of youth education and was popular
amongst the children and their parents.

In 2011 the Parish celebrated twenty-five years since its establishment. A celebratory Dinner
Dance held at the Messinian Hall marked this special occasion and was attended by many
Orthodox faithful from across the state.

The current Parish Priest the reverend Father Michael Psaromatis was appointed to the Parish
of St Andrew in 2012. The change occurred because Father Konstantinos was appointed as the
second priest at the Community and Parish of St George, Thebarton and Western Suburbs.

31 Brief Overview and History

Father Michael holds university degrees in Theology and Modern Greek from Flinders
University, South Australia. He is the son of Father Stavros and Presvytera Kyriaki Psaromatis.
Father Stavros is the long serving Parish Priest of the Community and Parish of Prophet Elias,
Norwood and Eastern Suburbs. Father Michael together with Presvytera Stavroula were very
well received by the Parish and strive to continue to do God's work in an ever changing
community. In recent times, His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Dorylaeon has presided over
many of the significant feast days of the Saints whose icons are at the Church, as well as Palm
Sunday and other Holy Week Services. A change for the Parish has been how the annual
Christmas service has started late in the evening on Christmas eve and finished early
Christmas morning. This has been relatively popular and seems to serve the parishioners well,
at this stage of the Parish’s history. Sunday School and fellowship has been consolidated, and
under the spiritual guidance of Father Michael it is held by younger members of the Parish.
Among some of the work which has taken place at the Parish over the last four years was the
significant maintenance of the existing perimeter fence and gates. Also general upgrades and
maintenance programs have begun for the church building. Very recently the Parish received a
grant from the Federal Government with regards to building a much needed storage shed
which has just been erected.

With the prospect of the Parish’s thirtieth year, the committee had decided to plan significant
events for the celebration of this milestone. A successful event which launched the thirtieth
year included the ambitious hosting of a Greek style festival called Paniyiri Down South. The
outdoor festival was coupled with the already established Saint Neophytos day procession and
luncheon, which is held annually on the Sunday after the Saint’s January feast day. The Saint
Neophytos procession includes the large icon of the Saint which was donated by Mr
Neophetos Evgeniou in 1993. The Paniyiri was a success and had commendable food, shelter,
tables, chairs and live music for all. The event was supported by the young and old from all
over Adelaide as well as well as the Noarlunga area. Members who had been part of the
Parish’s first days remembered how all those years ago they too had celebrated and shared
food, music and laughter under tents. Many commented that in-part celebrations like this were
the vision that had started this parish so long ago. They also commented that for them festivals
that are held in metropolitan Adelaide are inaccessible and this event once again gave them an
opportunity to be part of a summer Greek celebration. Overall, the day was a testament to the
idea that even at this stage of the Parish’s history there are new and different ways of serving
the community.

Another event planned for the Parish’s thirtieth anniversary year is the formal dinner banquet
to be held on the 25th of June 2016. The event will be held at the Cyprus Community Centre of
South Australia and in some ways is an acknowledgement to all those Cypriots who have
supported the establishment of the Parish of St Andrew, Noarlunga. The banquet will be
attended by His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Dorylaeon; Mr Andreas-Konstantinos Gouras, the
Consul General of Greece in Adelaide; the State Treasurer Hon. Mr Tom Koutsantonis MP,

Brief Overview and History 32

Representing the Premier of South Australia; the State member for Davenport Mr Duluk MP,
representing the State leader of the Liberal Party of South Australia; the Archon Ekdikon of the
Ecumenical Throne Mr John A. Kiosogolous and Presidents and representatives from most
Parishes and Communities in South Australia. Once again the Greek Orthodox faithful will be
unified because of the Parish of St Andrew.

Ultimately, the Parish continues to maintain the ethic of its founding members as well as
those who have been steadfast in their support over the last three decades. Now, what were
the little infant parishioners, the ones who were born and even baptised during the early
years, are taking over key roles within the running of the Parish. With this we see the impact
this Parish has had on the entire lives of one generation. With love, determination, dedication
and commitment, this parish has administered and provided for the Greek Orthodox
community of the outer southern suburbs for over thirty years. Leaders, volunteers and all
members of the Parish are to be commended for their perseverance and countless
achievements over the last three decades, and a small testament to their efforts is in the
dedication of this book to them.

This Parish has formed a true community – a place where people care for one another, where
they generously give and receive, and where they rejoice in their shared faith and values.

In the right environment and with God's blessings, wisdom and guidance through the
intercessions of Saint Andrew, the Parish will grow in the future and it is in the hands of the
youth of today to be able to carry it through. A long term ambition of the Parish has been the
prospective building of a community centre to cater for the various community activities and
functions that are currently held. The process to be able to realize such an ambitious goal has
begun. The next few years will be exciting times as this blessed seaside parish, which was the
dream of so many, navigates its voyage beyond its formative years.

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Foundation Stone Service - 7 December 1986

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ΘΥΡΑΝΟΙΞΙΑ Door-Opening 25 October 1987

49 Pictorial History - The Early Years