Parishioners of St John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Carlton, Victoria have expressed concern and disappointment following reports that Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Lykopandis will be removed or transferred from the parish.
Multiple parishioners contacted The Greek Herald this week describing Fr. Emmanuel as a central figure in rebuilding parish life, reconnecting younger generations with the Church, and supporting elderly members of the community.
In correspondence sent to The Greek Herald, parishioners praised Fr. Emmanuel’s pastoral leadership, community engagement and efforts to foster a welcoming environment at the Carlton parish.
One parishioner described the reported decision as “deeply saddening,” claiming Fr. Emmanuel had helped transform the parish into “a sanctuary of faith, love and hope,” while another said many families had reconnected with the Church through his guidance.
Parishioners said Fr. Emmanuel had played an active role in encouraging youth participation within the church through theology workshops, fellowship discussions and renewed Sunday school initiatives. They claimed younger parishioners had increasingly become involved in volunteering and church life under his leadership.
Several parishioners also pointed to the importance of continuity and stability within the parish community, noting that St John’s has experienced multiple clergy changes in recent years.
Among the concerns raised were fears that another change in leadership could unsettle elderly parishioners and disrupt pastoral relationships that have only recently begun to strengthen.
Some parishioners further questioned whether the use of English-language services had played a role in the decision, pointing to recent public comments by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia regarding the importance of preserving Greek language and identity within Church life.
The Greek Herald understands concerns have been raised within the parish. Parishioners who contacted The Greek Herald stressed their concerns were being raised respectfully and from a desire to preserve stability, continuity and community life within the parish.
“We simply want the pastoral needs of the faithful at St John’s to be fully understood,” one parishioner said.
Another described Fr. Emmanuel as an important source of guidance and support for families, young people and elderly members of the community, while others said they felt “unheard and overlooked” and called on Church leadership to reconsider the reported decision.
The correspondence sent to The Greek Herald repeatedly emphasised respect for the authority and traditions of the Church, while appealing for greater pastoral sensitivity toward the needs and concerns of the Carlton parish community.
*His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne has been contacted for comment.
