Father Christos Dimolianis, a member of the Victorian Police Chaplaincy, was honoured at an official dinner held on Monday 25 August, in the presence of the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Ken Lay, Inspector Peter Hollingworth from Police Welfare and Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles, secretary of the Police Association. Father Dimolianis was presented by the Chief Commissioner with a medal for 15 years of service to the police force. During this time Father Chris has served not only the Orthodox police officers but also the police service area of Port Philip.
With over 150 Greek Orthodox police officers serving throughout Victoria, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia feels it is imperative that it stands by the members of the force who belong to the church and who are protecting the wider community. The church currently has two priests who are members of the Victorian Police Chaplaincy; Father Christos Dimolianis and Father Emmanuel Lykopandis, both graduates of St Andrew’s Theological College.
Both Reverend Fathers are professionally trained in pastoral care and able to work in the diverse and pluralistic setting of the police force. Their duties require them to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to provide spiritual support and pastoral care for police officers and their families.
Father Emmanuel services the police area of Moonee Valley and is an auxiliary help to Father Christos in his ministry to the Orthodox police officers.
It is noted that every year, the Sunday following the feast day of Saint Artemios, the Greek patron saint for police officers, being 20 October, a special doxology is held at St Eustathios church in South Melbourne where the church honours the members of the police force and their families.
According to Father Christos: “Our Church is committed to responding to the challenges of an ever increasingly multi-faceted society in the most relevant way possible. With the prayers and intercession of Saint Artemios, we are resolved to provide members of the police force, who often face great difficulties and dilemmas, with much needed spiritual and pastoral care.”