The newly established St Sophrony of Essex parish in Hectorville, Adelaide, South Australia held its first official fundraising dinner on Sunday, June 29, in the presence of His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide.
The event drew 230 attendees and raised more than $21,000 toward the construction of a parish hall and renovation of the church.
Founded in January 2023, St Sophrony is the first dedicated English-speaking parish under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and has grown rapidly.
The new hall will provide space for hospitality, Bible study, and community gatherings, as parishioners currently meet outdoors after services due to the lack of facilities.
The dinner was hosted in the hall of the neighboring Prophet Elias Norwood parish, whose support was gratefully acknowledged.
The evening featured speeches by Dr Ioannis Salagaras, a founding council member, and Father Daniel Bradshaw, who outlined architectural plans for the renovation, including restoring the altar’s original location and extending the church’s narthex.
Bishop Silouan closed the evening, conveying the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and praising the parish’s efforts.
Volunteers and youth played a key role in the event’s success, preparing food, assisting during the evening, and cleaning afterward.
The fundraiser highlighted the strong sense of community and spiritual purpose within the parish, which serves many English-speaking Orthodox Christians and converts.
