The Greek Community of Agia Paraskevi, St Albans, was set to turn a new leaf in February with the appointment of Georgina Papafotiou, the former mayor of Brimback, to the helm of the Board of Directors.
The new scheme was set to lead the procedure for the community to come under the aegis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, however the plans have gone awry following Ms Papafotiou’s resignation.
Areti Akamati, who had been serving as vice president on the board, has taken Ms Papafotiou’s place until elections are called to vote for a new board.
READ MORE: Former mayor Georgina Papafotiou at the helm of the Greek Community of Agia Paraskevi, St Albans
When Ms Papafotiou had taken the helm she had stated her interest in normalising relations with the Archdiocese, and she had already held discussions with Archbishop Makarios. The parish’s priest, Fr Irinaios, would also like to see a union with the Archdiocese.
Sources of Neos Kosmos state that the situation in the parish has been “toxic” in recent days, and much has been said about the goings-on, including threats against board members.
No official announcements have been made as yet.
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During Easter, former politician Peter Sleeper attended midnight mass at the church. Mr Slipper had been speaker of the house during the government of Julia Gillard. A church official said, Mr Slipper had not been officially invited to the mass, however happened to be in Melbourne and knew about the mass as he is Fr Irinaios’ lawyer.
