Normal service was resumed at Darwin’s St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday with Father Joel Xanthos back at the helm, NT News reports.
According to the newspaper, attendees were tight-lipped about why Father Joel was back but said the service had been cleared by the NT chief health officer and police.
This comes after the Cavenagh St church suspended its Sunday service on November 21. Instead, a collapsible table was set up outside and covered in candles, pictures of saints and bushels of basil.
READ MORE: ‘Disrespects the ethos of OXI Day’: Greek Community of NT condemns anti-vaccine mandate protest.
“A sad day for Darwin’s Greek Orthodox community with our church being closed,” a hand written sign said. “…Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on Father Joel.”
In early November, a service was marred when angry parishioners rounded on NT Opposition Leader, Lia Finocchiaro, and Darwin Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis, protesting mandatory workplace jabs.
READ MORE: Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis condemns anti-vaccine mandate behaviour at Greek church.
Father Joel has also been criticised by leading Greek community figures and health authorities for describing COVID vaccinations as “experimental biological agents.”
Source: NT News.
