Greek Australian priest Themistocles Adamopoulos receives ‘Argo Award’

·

Eight distinguished diaspora Greeks were awarded the “Argo Award” for excelling in their field and promoting Greece abroad.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, presented the awards in a ceremony held on Thursday December 16 at the Benaki Museum in Athens.

Among the laureates, in the field of humanitarian contribution was a Greek-Australian priest, Reverend Themi Adamopoulo currently permanently residing in Sierra Leone, Africa, chancellor (protosygelos) of the Holy Diocese of Guinea, Themistocles Adamopoulos, or “Father Themi”. “That’s what they call me in my home, in Australia,” he stated to the “Greek Herald” in an exclusive statement before the award.

“I was in Sierra Leone when my phone rang and they told me they want to award me for my contribution. It was a special honour for me because it came from a non-secular, non-ecclesiastical group.

Reverend Themi Adamopoulo with children from the St James Orthodox Children’s Orphanage in Sierra Leone.(paradise4kids.org)

“Without wanting to make comparisons and be misunderstood, it reminds me when Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel”, says Father Themistocles, who at the age of 7 emigrated with his parents from Alexandria, Egypt to Melbourne. There he grew up, studied political science and later converted to Christianity.

In 1999 he began his work against poverty in Kenya. About 8 years later, in 2007, he went to Sierra Leone, where he lives to this day trying to alleviate the suffering of the world’s underprivileged.

In his moving speech at the Benaki Museum, Father Themi thanked the Greeks of Australia for the financial support and underlined that the biggest scandal of today is poverty that afflicts Africa.

The “Argo Awards” are awarded for the third consecutive year and are an initiative of the “International Argo Union – Network of Greeks of Brussels”.

Photo via presidency.gr

Greeks of the Diaspora are recognised in 8 categories. The winners this year are:

* Science Award: Kypros Nikolaides, professor of Fetal Medicine at King’s College London.

* Culture and Arts Award: Jeffrey Eugenides, author.

* Entrepreneurship Award: George Giankopoulos, President and director of the scientific group, “Regeneron Laboratories”.

* Innovation Award: Anastasia Ailamaki, Professor of Computer Science

* Humanitarian Award: Themistoklis Adamopoulos, chancellor of Holy Diocese Of Guinea.

* Award for contribution to the Commons: Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission

* Sport Award: Lefteris Petrounias, Olympic Gymnastics Champion

* Gastronomy Award: Kostas Spiliadis, Founder Of “Milos” Restaurants

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Cyprus War Memorial Committee launched in New South Wales

The Cyprus War Memorial Committee was officially launched this week. Read more via The Greek Herald about what it is.

The Greek Herald honoured by Mark Coure MP at Community Recognition Morning Tea

The Greek Herald was formally recognised by NSW Member for Oatley, Mark Coure MP, at a special Community Recognition Morning Tea.

Areti Ketime to perform at Zeibekiko Festival Australia 2025

Acclaimed Greek singer Areti Ketime will travel to Australia this October to perform at the third annual Zeibekiko Festival Australia.

Mates, snakes and the complexities of Greek Australian friendships

In many Greek Australian households, children grew up hearing cautionary phrases like “View today’s friends like tomorrow’s enemies.”

Strengthening Cyprus–Australia relations: Andreas Gregoriou holds talks in Canberra

During a visit to Canberra, Andreas Gregoriou met with senior Australian officials to strengthen ties in agriculture.

You May Also Like

Meraki TV set to impress with a new host and plenty of Greek Australian talent

Meraki TV is set to grace our screens again with a new host from October 12th at 7pm on Foxtel's Aurora Channel 173.

Largest-ever Greek flag raised above Lake Plastira at Agrafa

Authorities in the region of Karditsa, central Greece, raised what they claim to be the largest Greek flag in history at Agrafa on Sunday.

Talia Kapetanellis exits Western Sydney Wanderers in team overhaul

Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed the departure of nine players from their women’s team following the end of their A-League contracts.