1+ week, 6+ day ago (218+ words) Danal's to run again, but for the first time in years elections will be contested as there is now an "opposition" Staff writers 17 November 2025 3:00pm The elections for the new Administrative Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW will take place on 30 November. This is the first time in several years that fully contested elections will be held, as in previous terms there was no "opposition." A total of 37 candidates will contest the 20 positions on the Administrative Council. It is estimated that around 750 members are eligible to vote. The current president, Harris Danalis, will again be a candidate for the Council. When asked by Neos Kosmos whether he intends to seek the presidency again, he responded that "it's too early." "If we win the elections and if the members nominate me, then I will consider it. For now, the decision…...

2+ day, 13+ hour ago (601+ words) Agence France-Presse 28 November 2025 2:52pm Pope Leo XIV joins the leader of the world's Orthodox Christians Friday to celebrate 1,700 years since one of the early Church's most important gatherings, on the second day of his visit to Turkey. The American pope began his four-day visit on Thursday, flying into Ankara where he held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging him to embrace Turkey's role as mediator in a world gripped by conflict. "Mr President, may Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples, in service of a just and lasting peace," the pontiff told the Turkish leader as he kicked off the first overseas trip of his papacy. Tight security meant the papal convoy swept through nearly empty streets in Ankara on a visit that has drawn little attention in this Muslim-majority nation of 86 million, whose Christian community numbers…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (232+ words) Dimitri Kallos 19 November 2025 6:35pm A changing of the guard seemingly awaits the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW at the coming elections after three of its long-serving executives announced they have withdrawn themselves from contention. The GOC NSW elections are scheduled for Sunday 30 November, with this past Saturday having been the deadline for people to declare their intention for candidacy. There were 37 candidates that put their name in contention, though a huge spanner in the works has now emerged. SBS Greek reported on Wednesday that current President Harry Danalis, Secretary and Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney Nia Karteris, and Treasurer Christos Belerhas formally withdrew from the elections. Their exits mark an end to decades" worth of involvement on the GOC NSW Board for the three Executives. Additionally, SBS Greek mentioned that another six people withdrew their candidacy, all of whom…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (211+ words) Staff writers 19 November 2025 3:09pm Archbishop Makarios issued a message for the World Day of the Prevention against Child Abuse, outlining that it is a phenomenon which concerns all people. Archbishop Makarios spoke on the Day, which falls on 19 November, emphasising the imperativeness of every person taking the matter of child abuse seriously. "It is essential that we recognise that the phenomenon of child abuse concerns us all, as does the responsibility to offer the tender seedlings of our society an environment of care, safety, and hope," he said in his message. "As Orthodox Christians, who place at the core of our faith and values love for our neighbour and respect for the human person, we cannot tolerate violence, exploitation, and abuse, especially when directed at the most vulnerable and defenceless members of this world," Archbishop Makarios said. He stressed that children…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (214+ words) Sotiris Hatzimanolis 20 November 2025 6:22pm Regardless of who prevails in the elections to be held on 30 November for the new Board of Directors of the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales, it is certain that a change of guard will take place in the most historic organisation of the Greek diaspora in Australia. So far, eleven candidates in total have withdrawn, leaving 26 from the original 37 to contest the 20 seats on the Board. It is estimated that around 750 members have voting rights. The departure of Danalis, Karteris and Belerhas marks the end of decades of active participation on the Board. Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Harry Danalis said: Nia Karteris, who served the Community for more than 28 years, did not wish to make further comment, simply stating: "I want to thank the Community for the opportunity to serve it. I feel proud of…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (435+ words) Hundreds gathered at the Holy Monastery of St Nectarios in Croydon Park for a day that blended Orthodox devotion with Greek music, dance and cultural pride Evia Kanakaris 11 November 2025 6:53pm Adelaide's Greek Orthodox community united in prayer and celebration on Sunday, for the Feast Day of St Nectarios the Wonderworker, transforming the Holy Monastery of St Nectarios in Croydon Park into a vibrant hub of faith and fellowship. The occasion was made even more special by the presence of Metropolitan Ignatios of Madagascar and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, who attended alongside representatives from the Kogarah Orthodox Youth in Sydney, bringing youthful enthusiasm and spiritual unity to the festivities. The day began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, during which the icon of St Nectarios was carried in a moving outdoor procession. Parishioners joined in prayer, giving thanks and seeking blessings from the…...

2+ day, 11+ hour ago (196+ words) Staff writers 28 November 2025 4:08pm The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) is preparing for its Annual General Meeting (AGM), set to take place this Sunday, 30 November. Speaking to Neos Kosmos, GOCSA President Peter Ppiros said the meeting will include general updates, financial reports, a president's report, and open discussion on matters affecting the organisation. Ppiros declined to comment on an anonymous letter sent to members of the organisation, and to Neos Kosmos, which raises a number of concerns about GOCSA's internal operations. The letter notes, among other issues, the resignation of several key members of the Community. It also claims that SafeWork SA recently visited GOCSA's offices following complaints relating to psychological safety in the workplace. Ppiros acknowledged that some staff members had stepped down, emphasising that all departures are handled respectfully and that recruitment processes are already underway to…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (571+ words) Cianflone highlights shared values of faith, compassion, and multicultural solidarity at Coburg parish lunc Fotis Kapetopoulos 3 November 2025 1:02pm Victorian Labor MP for Pascoe Vale, Anthony Cianflone, recently hosted a lunch honouring Father Leonidas (Leo) Ioannou and Father Stathis Papadopoulos from the Coburg parish of The Presentation of Our Lord, along with Sophia Koutolas, founder of the Our Daily Bread charity. "The purpose of the day was simply to extend an invitation, acknowledge and thank them for the incredible ongoing work they do to help enrich the spiritual, health and wellbeing of our entire community across the northern suburbs," Mr Cianflone said. Joining the gathering was Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous. Cianflone expressed concern about "food insecurity in one of the world's wealthiest nations" and praised the parish and Our Daily Bread for their tireless efforts in providing meals and support to…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago (359+ words) Arunansh B. Goswami 8 November 2025 8:26am On January 4, 1964, The New York Times wrote, "Pope Paul commences his pilgrimage to the birthplace of Christianity, with the Pontiff arriving in Amman first." "Amman, the initial point of arrival for Pope Paul in Jordan today, was historically known as Philadelphia by the Greeks, who reconstructed it as one of the cities of the Decapolis." The Greco-Roman city of Amman, known as Philadelphia, was established by the Hellenistic Ptolemies and named in honour of the Greek-Egyptian ruler Ptolemy Philadelphos (285246 B.C.). It became one of the Decapolis cities, marking the southern edge of that ancient region. Greek the language of Jordan For centuries, Greek served as the lingua franca of Jordan'at least in written form'opening access to the intellectual and artistic treasures of the classical world. The cities of Philadelphia (Amman), Gadara, Pella, and Jerash flourished under Hellenistic rule…...