Father Eleftherios Tatsis from Red Hill defrocked

·

Former parish priest at the Holy Monastery of Panagia Kamariani in Red Hill, Victoria, Father Eleftherios Tatsis (Papa Lefteris), has been defrocked.

According to a statement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA), the decision to defrock Papa Lefteris was made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate due to “a series of ecclesiastical and canonical offenses he committed.”

“The defrocked cleric by decision of the Orthodox Church has returned to the rank of the laity and has lost the privilege of wearing priestly vestments, as well as the right to perform the Holy Sacraments and other divine services,” the statement reads.

This defrocking comes after Papa Lefteris announced his resignation from the GOAA on October 2 last year.

Papa Lefteris at Rye. Photo: The Greek Herald.

Papa Lefteris resigned after the Archdiocese issued a statement in August 2022 expressing its disapproval of the priest for his “belligerent rhetoric” towards the church and Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

Following his resignation, the GOAA suspended Papa Lefteris on October 5 last year and said, “from this point forth, every service and every sacrament that possibly may be performed by the said clergyman does not have validity” and is not recognised by the Archdiocese.

Papa Lefteris has continued to perform sacraments, including a traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony at Rye in January, which saw thousands of local Greeks turn up to show their support.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greece among first EU members to trial internet age-verification app

Greece and four other EU member states will be the first to pilot a new age-verification system for internet users.

Woman who confessed to killing infants moved to high-security Korydallos prison

Eirini Mourtzoukou, the 25-year-old woman who has confessed to killing at least three infants, has been transferred to Korydallos Prison.

GOCNSW youth lead heartfelt farewell to Greek Consul General in Sydney

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW hosted a special farewell reception for the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis.

From Athens with purpose: Reflections on the Global Summit of Hellenic Lawyers 2025

As the Global Summit of Hellenic Lawyers 2025 drew to a close, it did so against the majestic backdrop of Athens.

Honouring Cyprus’ martyrs: Melbourne remembers the sacrifice of July 9, 1821

A hierarchical memorial service was held on Sunday, July 13, at the Holy Church of the Presentation of the Theotokos in North Balwyn.

You May Also Like

Hellenic Club of Canberra holds its Annual General Meeting

The Hellenic Club of Canberra held its Annual General Meeting on October 22, at its premises at Woden in the Australian Capital Territory.

Michael Zannis: The Greek Aussie cricket star redefining blindness

Michael Zannis has turned his ‘disability’ into his superpower. He lives as everyone else does and is thriving.

Traditional Greek Recipes: Melomakarona (Christmas Honey Cookies)

Melomakarona are a classic Greek traditional delicacy, filled with flavours of cinnamon, orange and walnut.