Much-loved Father Nicholas Bozikis from Sydney has passed away at the age of 79.
Father Nicholas was born in 1944 on the Greek island of Zakynthos. He received his Orthodox education at the Ecclesiastical School of the Holy Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Pharmacolytria in Vasilika, Thessaloniki.
Emigrating to Australia in 1964, he initially settled in Melbourne before relocating to Sydney in 1970 at the invitation of late Archbishop Ezekiel of Australia. There, he was ordained to the priesthood and served within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in Sydney for more than 50 years.
For 18 years, Father Nicholas served at the Parish – Community of the Holy Cross in Wollongong before returning to Sydney in 1988.
Father Nicholas was a parish priest at St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford from 1989 to 1994. He also served at St Stephanos in Hurlstone Park until 2011.
Despite health challenges in 2011, he eagerly resumed his priestly duties and served for an additional six and a half years in various parishes in NSW.
In recognition of his dedication to Greek Orthodoxy, Father Nicholas was honoured with the Offikion of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2021.
Father Nicholas is survived by his Presbytera, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Father Nicholas’ funeral service will take place on Wednesday, 21 February 2024 at 10 am at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Marrickville, Sydney. The burial will take place at Rookwood Cemetery.
