His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has condemned the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday, which authorities say has resulted in the deaths of 16 people and the injury of at least 38 others.
In a statement, Archbishop Makarios expressed his “profound grief over the mass-casualty terrorist attack in Sydney, which occurred during a gathering for the Jewish feast of Hanukkah.”
“Every act that violates the sanctity of human life is reprehensible, even more so when it undermines our peaceful coexistence, which constitutes a fundamental achievement of Australian society,” he said.
The Archbishop stressed the need to oppose intolerance and violence, saying: “We are all obliged to struggle resolutely against every form of intolerance, fanaticism, and violence, and to proclaim unequivocally that whoever kills while invoking God does not serve their faith but betrays it. There can be no sanctity in murder.”
Archbishop Makarios said prayers were being offered “for the repose of the souls of the victims” and expressed “unwavering solidarity with their grieving families and loved ones, as well as with the entire Jewish Community.”
“Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured and are receiving medical care, to whom we offer our heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery,” he added.
In a statement released this week, the Archdiocese said the Tripartite Court of Appeal of Thrace (civil jurisdiction) delivered its decision (Judgment No. 88/2025) on 4 November 2025, bringing the judicial process to a close.
According to the Archdiocese, the Court ruled that a series of Facebook posts made by Ms Morali on her personal account from August 2020 until recently “were, to her knowledge, false, untrue and defamatory.”
The posts were found to be insulting and offensive toward Archbishop Makarios, as well as other individuals and institutions associated with the Archdiocese of Australia.
The Court ordered Ms Morali to remove the specific posts, publish a summary of the court’s decision, pay monetary compensation, and refrain from making similar or related offensive or defamatory statements in the future.
The defamation case stemmed from social media posts published approximately four years ago, which related to the production of a documentary tribute to the late Archbishop Stylianos, as well as public allegations made against Archbishop Makarios concerning financial and moral matters.
In its statement, the Archdiocese said the ruling marked the culmination of legal proceedings that had followed repeated conduct by the defendant, despite efforts by Archbishop Makarios to avoid court action.
The Archdiocese added that, while the Archbishop was obliged to defend both the institution he represents and the broader integrity of the Church, he continues to pray for those experiencing “spiritual confusion and turmoil.”
The ruling is final under Greek civil law, concluding the matter before the courts.
In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting during a Hanukkah gathering, Greek Australian community leaders have publicly expressed their solidarity with the Jewish Australian community and have unequivocally condemned the attack.
The incident, which occurred during a religious celebration, has reverberated across Australia’s multicultural communities, prompting renewed calls for unity, vigilance, and collective action against antisemitism and religiously motivated violence.
The Australian Hellenic Council of Victoria issued a media release condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms.
“The Australian Hellenic Council unequivocally condemns the Bondi shootings targeting Jewish Australians who were celebrating Hanukkah,” the statement reads.
“No one should ever fear for their safety while observing their faith or cultural traditions. It is utterly unacceptable and frankly ridiculous that people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds cannot feel safe celebrating who they are in Australia.
“Our country prides itself on multiculturalism, tolerance, and freedom of religion, and violence or intimidation has no place here. We must all do more, governments, institutions, and individuals alike, to confront and combat antisemitism wherever it appears and to stand in solidarity with Jewish Australians and all communities facing hatred.”
The aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting during a Hanukkah gathering.
Dean Kalimniou, Secretary of the Jewish Hellenic Association of Victoria, echoed these sentiments, situating the tragedy within the long and intertwined history of Greek and Jewish coexistence.
“The Jewish Hellenic Association of Victoria is devastated by the shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah gathering, an act of violence that has stolen lives and shattered a moment of communal joy,” Mr Kalimniou said.
“This atrocity has sent shockwaves through communities across Australia and has reopened wounds carried by peoples who know too well the consequences of hatred left unchecked.
“JHAV was formed to celebrate the unique history of the Jewish and Hellenic peoples, a history long intertwined through shared geographies, diasporas, learning, commerce, and struggle. From Alexandria to Thessaloniki, from Byzantium to modern Australia, Jews and Greeks have lived side by side, debated together, traded together, mourned together, and rebuilt together. Our encounters have been sustained by a shared commitment to ethical life, intellectual inquiry, and communal responsibility.
“Across centuries, Greek and Jewish traditions have converged in their insistence that law must be tempered by justice, that freedom carries moral obligation, and that human dignity is inviolable. From the prophetic demand for righteousness to the Hellenic pursuit of virtue and civic responsibility, our traditions have repeatedly joined in the work of building societies grounded in tolerance, decency, and respect for difference. In Australia, this shared inheritance has found expression in joint advocacy, cultural dialogue, education, and a common resolve to oppose antisemitism, racism, and all forms of dehumanisation.
“The targeting of Jewish Australians while they gathered to mark Hanukkah contravenes everything that civilised people stand for. It is an assault on lives and on the ethical foundations that bind communities together.
“Hanukkah is a festival of light. It affirms endurance in the face of oppression and the refusal of darkness to have the final word. This attack sought to extinguish that light through hatred and death. We affirm, with clarity and resolve, that the light will endure. It will be carried forward by a community that mourns, remembers, and stands together.
“JHAV stands with the Jewish community in Australia in grief, in solidarity, and in unwavering commitment. Drawing upon the shared moral heritage of our peoples, we recommit ourselves to the work of safeguarding communal life, defending human dignity, and ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.”
Leaders across the Greek Australian community have expressed profound shock that acts of this nature can be perpetrated against ethnic and religious groups in Australia, a country long regarded as a place of safety, pluralism, and mutual respect.
The Bondi shooting has prompted renewed reflection on the fragility of social cohesion and the responsibility shared by all Australians to defend it.
Greek Australian students have once again demonstrated academic excellence, with a remarkable cohort named duxes across Victorian schools following the release of the 2025 VCE results.
Leading the list is Georgios Pirpiris, who achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95 to become dux of Melbourne Grammar School, placing him among the top students in the state.
At Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, Stephanie Leon shared dux honours after achieving an outstanding ATAR of 99.25, reflecting the school’s strong academic tradition.
George Mouratidis was named dux of Alphington Grammar School, earning an ATAR of 99.3, while Leah Delios achieved an exceptional 99.7 to become the VCE dux of Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Campus.
At The Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, dux honours were jointly awarded to Alessandra Heywood and Chris Kouroupidis, both achieving an impressive ATAR of 99.90.
Further north, Paul Koutsivos was named Preston High School’s dux for 2025, with an ATAR of 99.5. Speaking about his achievement, Paul said he was “very happy” with the result and felt it validated the hard work he had put in throughout the year.
Paul completed a demanding subject load, studying Chemistry, English, Ancient History, Specialist Mathematics, Philosophy and Mathematical Methods. He plans to study a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mathematics and Statistics, and said he was excited for the opportunities ahead.
Language excellence also featured strongly, with Melanie Boubis named VCE dux of Cranbourne Secondary College after excelling in two languages. She achieved a study score of 47 in English and 42 in Greek, highlighting the value of bilingual education.
Rounding out the list, Sara Kolovos was named dux of Our Lady of Sion College, achieving an ATAR of 98.55, with the school congratulating her on an outstanding academic performance.
The achievements of these students reflect not only individual dedication and perseverance, but also the continued emphasis placed on education within the Greek Australian community.
As families, schools and communities celebrate these results, the class of 2025 stands as a testament to the strength of academic aspiration across Victoria’s Hellenic diaspora.
*Please note: The above students are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name. If you believe you should be in this article, please send an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
Sixteen people, including a gunman, are dead following what police have declared a terrorist attack on a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as leaders condemned the violence as an act of “pure evil” antisemitism.
The shooting unfolded about 6.45 pm on Sunday during a Chanukah by the Sea event marking the first night of Hanukkah, attended by at least 1,000 people near Bondi Park. NSW Police say two gunmen, identified by police sources as a father and son, opened fire from a bridge into the crowd.
Naveed Akram, 24, was apprehended at the shooting and was taken to hospital where he remains under police guard in a critical but stable condition. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, who owned a fruit shop, died at the scene.
Fifteen victims, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed. The total death toll stands at 16. A further 38 people were injured, with 29 taken to hospital, including two NSW police officers who remain in a critical but stable condition.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would act decisively following the attack.
“We stand with them, we stand against antisemitism, we will do whatever is necessary to stamp it out,” he said.
“Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred, and we’ll come through together. We refuse to let them divide us as a nation.”
NSW authorities confirmed the incident has been declared a terrorist attack, with federal agencies joining the investigation. Police are not looking for a third suspect.
Photo: ABC News / Jack Fisher.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were “satisfied there were two offenders involved”, adding that one was deceased and the second was in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
The older gunman, aged 50, held a firearms licence for 10 years and had six registered firearms, all of which have now been seized.
Police also confirmed two “basic” explosive devices were found at the scene but had not been activated. Homes linked to the alleged attackers in Bonnyrigg and Campsie have been raided.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the attack was “an intolerable situation” and confirmed the government would examine gun law reform.
“We need to fight antisemitism, it is toxic, it is cancerous within a community, and as you can see from last night, it leads to devastating implications,” he said.
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had led the Chabad mission in Bondi for 18 years. Local rabbi Mendel Kastel told ABC News he lost his brother-in-law in the attack, saying: “My family was here. My wife and kids were here. And unfortunately I lost my brother-in-law here last night.”
World leaders also condemned the violence. US President Donald Trump described it as a “terrible” and “purely antisemitic” attack, while King Charles said he was saddened by “the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack” and praised the “heroic actions” of police, emergency services and members of the public.
The Bondi Beach crime scene remains active as investigations continue.
A last-minute agreement has spared A-League club Western United from liquidation, giving operator and major shareholder Jason Sourasis a chance to revive the struggling side.
The reprieve came after the Australian Taxation Office accepted a payment plan for a $15.5 million tax debt.
As recently as Thursday, December 11, the ATO had been pushing for liquidation, before Federal Court Justice Penelope Nescovkin ordered mediation, calling the deal “the last chance” for anyone to recover funds.
Under the agreement, major lender Johnson Controls will cover the $15.5 million tax bill, while a second backer, believed to be linked to billionaire Paul Lederer, will inject a further $5 million.
Western United had been run by Sourasis, the former business partner and financial adviser to star investor Scott Pendlebury, who is suing Sourasis in separate proceedings over claims more than $2.1 million was invested without his knowledge, allegations Sourasis denies.
The deal prevents liquidation, which would likely have left investors and creditors empty-handed, and allows Sourasis an opportunity to resurrect the club after it sat out the current A-League season due to unpaid players.
Western United described the outcome as a “positive step” toward its eventual return to the competition.
A 25-year-old woman from Australia was injured and one of her two dogs killed after being struck by a motorcycle in a hit-and-run incident in Gournes, Heraklion.
The incident occurred on the old national road when a motorcycle without licence plates allegedly travelling at high speed hit the woman as she was walking with her dogs.
Witnesses said the rider had a hood on, no lights, and fled the scene after falling from the bike, abandoning the victim and the animals.
The woman sustained injuries to her arm and was taken to PAGNI hospital, where she was treated and placed in a cast. Her life is not in danger. One of her dogs, a Labrador, was thrown several metres by the impact and died instantly.
“If he had hit Milena, he would have been killed instantly. The dog got in the way, so he was hit first and died instantly, and then he hit Milena,” a friend said.
Speaking to Neakriti.gr, the woman described the moments of the crash: “I went for a walk with my dog, Lila, and Koko, whom I was hosting for a few days. And we were finishing the walk and wanted to cross the street, and then a scooter, a motorcycle, came and hit us.”
“I fell to the ground, and Lila was hit by the bike and thrown all the way across the street… I needed someone to help me and take her to the vet… but she died. She didn’t make it. My baby didn’t make it.”
Her friend said the driver abandoned her after the crash. “Essentially, this is a typical case where the offender abandons the victim. Here we have the loss of an innocent life,” she said, adding that the woman has been living in the area for two months and works as a Pilates and yoga teacher.
“She chose to live in Greece, to work, to offer… And yet, we have caused her the opposite,” the friend said.
World leaders have condemned the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations, as authorities confirmed at least 16 people were killed, including one of the shooters, and more than 40 were injured.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was “deeply shocked” by the attack. “I condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms. We stand in solidarity with Jewish communities everywhere. Anti-Semitism and hatred have no place in our societies,” he said.
The attack occurred on the first evening of Hanukkah near the Chanukah by the Sea festival, where Jewish Sydneysiders had gathered to celebrate. Gunmen opened fire on a packed crowd at the beach.
Deeply shocked by today’s attacks in Sydney during Hanukkah celebration. I condemn this violence in the strongest terms. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish communities everywhere. Antisemitism and hatred have no place in our societies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticised Australia’s leadership, accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of failing to curb antisemitism.
“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu said, adding: “You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action.”
Albanese declined to directly respond to the criticism, saying it was a “moment for national unity”. He described the shooting as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location”.
US President Donald Trump described the shooting as a “terrible” and “obviously an antisemitic” attack, sending his well-wishes to Albanese and the Australian people. He also praised a bystander who disarmed one of the gunmen, calling him “a very, very brave person”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog labelled the shooting a “cruel” attack and urged stronger action, saying there was an “enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society”. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he was “appalled” and warned Australia “must come to its senses!”
A message from The King to the people of Australia following the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. pic.twitter.com/yopJaWZF9s
King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were “appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack”, adding that the “light at the heart of the Chanuka Festival – will always triumph over the darkness of such evil.”
Condemnations also came from leaders across Europe, Asia and the United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “horrified” by the “heinous, deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hannukah”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred.”
As investigations continue, leaders worldwide reiterated calls to confront antisemitism and ensure Jewish communities can practise their faith “openly and without fear.”
Collingwood rehabilitation manager Dean Filopoulos has resigned following an alcohol-related incident during a club camp in the Northern Territory.
According to ABC News, Filopoulos allegedly acted inappropriately while intoxicated on the final night of the trip in Alice Springs, after a group of staff and players had been drinking and dancing at a bar. He is alleged to have performed a lap dance on an AFLW player.
“Collingwood can confirm that an incident occurred during recent interstate travel that required investigation by the club,” the Magpies said in a statement.
“As soon as the club became aware of the incident, it moved quickly to address the matter and during this process, the employee involved tendered their resignation, which the club accepted.
“Our focus remains on supporting all team members and ensuring our environments remain professional and consistent with the values we stand for.”
Filopoulos joined Collingwood in 2012 as VFL high performance manager and later rose to rehabilitation manager.
The incident occurred at the conclusion of the club’s cultural immersion program, which ran in Tennant Creek before moving to Alice Springs and was attended by first-year AFL and AFLW players, staff and board members.
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) unequivocally condemns the anti-Semitic violence at Bondi Beach and extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.
FECCA stands in solidarity with Jewish communities and all those affected by this hateful act.
“This was an appalling act of anti-Semitic violence,” FECCA said in a statement. “Hatred and violence directed at any community have no place in Australia and must be confronted collectively and without hesitation.”
FECCA Chair Peter Doukas said an attack on one community strikes at the heart of Australia’s multicultural fabric.
“An attack on one community is an attack on our collective spirit as a multicultural nation. When any group is targeted by hate, it undermines the values of respect, inclusion and unity that bind our society together,” Mr Doukas said.
The attack has caused deep pain and fear, particularly within Jewish communities, and has reverberated across Australia’s broader multicultural society.
FECCA calls for unity, compassion and responsible public discourse in the wake of this tragedy, and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to opposing anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of hate.
