On Sunday, 9 February 2025, the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide, South Australia, hosted the highly anticipated Saint Spyridon High Tea.
The sold-out event, attended by 500 guests across 50 packed tables, was a remarkable afternoon of entertainment, heartfelt speeches, and generous giving, all in support of the new intergenerational building plans and works for the Saint Spyridon Church and Community at Unley.
The event featured an elegant fashion parade by Elle & Elka, musical performances by the Saint Spyridon Choir, and an exciting raffle that included 50 auction items. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, silent auctions and donations, the event successfully raised an impressive $160,800.
Importance of the Church:
Father John Psalios, parish priest of St Spyridon Church, opened the event by welcoming the attendees and introducing Mel Chrysostomou, representing the Executive Committee.
Mr Chrysostomou shared insightful reflections on the foundation of the church.
“When the first generations of Orthodox migrated to Australia… one of their highest priorities was to build churches for the Divine Liturgy and all the other sacraments to be served. As we all know, they had to build their new lives literally from nothing, but the thought that they could build a life for themselves and future generations without God and without His Church never crossed their minds…” Mr Chrysostomou said.
“Many people relegated their own financial needs to second place and put their love for Christ’s Church first. In other words, they put the spiritual welfare of their brothers and sisters ahead of their own physical beings…”
It is in this spirit that Mr Chrysostomou stressed the importance of building a beautiful church as an act of glorification to God.
“The Church is our place of healing, a hospital with good equipment. Further to the practical need of having an appropriate church building to serve the needs of parishioners, we must also consider the grace of God. In glorifying God, we receive the gift of His grace, and one of the most significant ways Christians glorify God is by building an architectural beauty,” he said.
Church renovation plans:
The Executive Committee is moving forward with a series of significant renovations and extensions to the St Spyridon Church. The planned extension will add 129 square metres to the building footprint, creating a new narthex, an office for the Executive Committee, a priest’s office, and a parents’ room – a dedicated space where parents can tend to their children without having to leave the church, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Additionally, the project includes the construction of a first-floor community space, which will be used for Sunday School, meetings, and other community activities. With this two-level extension, the total additional floor space will exceed 200 square metres.
To maximise seating capacity within the church, the existing stairs and front office will be demolished, with these areas incorporated into the nave. The front of the church will be extended by 3.5 metres, creating space for sacramental services such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. These modifications will increase the seating capacity by over 40 seats, with additional standing space at the rear of the nave.
Beyond structural improvements, the renovation also aims to enhance the overall quality of church facilities, including:
- Air conditioning
- Tiling, windows, and doors
- Fire safety systems
- Electrical and lighting upgrades
- A modernised sound and audiovisual system
- Refurbishment of the existing iconostasis and iconography
- Seating and external finishes
The Executive Committee aims to commence construction this year. Planning approval has already been granted, and engineering drawings are currently under review. Continuous refinements are being made to secure final building approvals. Once all necessary documentation is complete, the drawings will be certified, and negotiations with builders will begin.
The legacy of Hellenism and the Church:
Among the notable attendees at the High Tea were The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP, representing the Premier of South Australia, The Hon. Vincent Tarzia, Leader of the Opposition, and Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Alexandra Theodoropoulou.
The Consul General delivered a thought-provoking speech, linking the significance of the Greek language to the spread of Christianity, fittingly recognising that February 9 was the International Day of the Greek Language:
Reflecting on the words of national poet and anthem writer Dionysios Solomos, whose legacy is honoured on February 9, she emphasised that the Greek language remains a crucial element in understanding and preserving both Orthodox Christianity and Hellenic heritage.
His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide linked the fundraising efforts and goals to the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, celebrated in 2025. He noted that Emperor Constantine prioritised the beauty of churches in the newly Christian Eastern Roman Empire, a sentiment echoed in Saint Spyridon’s vision for renovation.
Following the Council, Emperor Constantine wrote to the bishops, urging them to build churches as beautifully as possible, reassuring them that the imperial treasury would fund their construction. His Grace added:
His Grace added: “While we do not have such imperial support today, we possess something even greater – a deep and unwavering desire within our hearts to make our churches beautiful.”
A testament to community generosity:
Reflecting on the fundraising total of $160,800, Father John concluded the event with a heartfelt plea for continued support, reminding attendees that Saint Spyridon has always been an outreach church, welcoming all who seek faith, spiritual guidance, and Christian growth.
“We must create a true fellowship community where people can come and truly find Christ,” he said.
