An intervention by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia led to the closure and subsequent re-opening this week of the Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Liverpool, Sydney.

On Wednesday, parishioners had been encouraged by the Archdiocese to attend church in the nearby parishes of St John, Parramatta, and St Euphemia, Bankstown.

The closure notice had cited “unlawful acts and decisions” by the Committee – including the non-convening of an annual general meeting of its members, as stated in the constitution, for the last eight years – as well as unresolved divisions between the Committee and the Trustee Committee.

As per the latest announcement by the church governing body, the parish was reopened following a meeting of the members of the outgoing Administrative Committee with Archbishop Makarios on Thursday.

“After the intervention of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and his efforts to bring about the reconciliation between the Administrative Committee and the Trustee Committee, the divisive climate within the Parish-Community is now a thing of the past,” the statement reads.

“A new page has been turned with the scheduling of the prescribed procedures for the convening of the General Meeting and the election of a new Administrative Committee, following the apology and resignation of all the members of the outgoing, contravening Administrative Committee.”

The seal of the “cooperation and unity” deal is expected on Sunday 16 May with Archbishop Makarios attending the Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene to officiate in the presence of all the members of the Parish-Community.

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