A priest employed by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has been dismissed following the circulation of a formal written complaint, with the content of the letter leading to the termination of his employment.
The letter, dated early February and seen by The Greek Herald, was authored by Father John Konidaris of the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel and circulated to multiple GOCSA bodies and officeholders.
The correspondence related to his exclusion from a public Vasilopita cutting ceremony organised by the Ladies’ and Young Ladies’ Association of South Australia “The Taxiarchis,” an event that had been advertised as open to the public.
In the letter, Father John objected to the decision preventing him and other GOCSA clergy from attending the event and raised broader concerns about the Association’s actions and leadership.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the language and tone used in the correspondence prompted internal consideration by GOCSA and ultimately led to Father John’s removal from his role.
GOCSA has not released a detailed public statement regarding the dismissal. However, sources within the community indicated that the decision was based on the content of the correspondence and its perceived impact on community relations, governance, and pastoral responsibility.
The dismissal has now created an immediate priest shortage within GOCSA, raising practical concerns about the delivery of religious services across its parishes.
The development has prompted some members to reflect on how the situation may have unfolded had a proposed agreement between GOCSA and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia been approved in October 2024.
That proposal, which sought to end a 64-year schism and would have enabled access to clergy from within the Archdiocese, failed to pass despite receiving majority support at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
With the agreement rejected, GOCSA remains solely responsible for sourcing clergy — a reality now brought into sharper focus following the dismissal.
As GOCSA manages the immediate consequences of the decision, questions are being raised within the community about contingency planning, clerical oversight, and how similar situations might be addressed in the future.
GOCSA has not yet confirmed what interim arrangements, if any, will be put in place to address the shortage.
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