This year marks an extraordinary milestone for a leading figure in South Australia’s Greek Orthodox community. Father Patsouris, who first donned the priest’s cassock in 1965, is celebrating six decades of devoted service, including 55 years as parish priest at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Thebarton.
I spoke with Father Patsouris at his office at Saint George Church, where he welcomed me and shared memories of his life and service.
Father Patsouris’s journey into the priesthood was defined by “patience, faith, and a commitment to serving others”. His desire to join the clergy began in Greece, but it wasn’t until he arrived in Australia in early January 1960 that the opportunity truly took shape.
“It was a challenge to transition from Greece, but glory be to God, I was surrounded by warm, loving and kind people who welcomed me with open arms and supported me,” the Father says.
With the support of his uncle — a member of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) — he secured his first role teaching Greek in the evenings, fostering a deep connection to language, faith, and community life.
On April 10, 1965, he was ordained as a deacon in Sydney, and the next day he was ordained a priest. He briefly served at Saint Andrew’s Church in Sydney before relocating to Melbourne, where he ministered to the Cypriot Community until November of the same year.
Returning to Adelaide in November 1965, Father Patsouris served at the Church of Koimisis Tis Theotokou in Brompton, known as the Church of Panagitsa, until March 1970. After applying to join the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and overcoming some delays due to the Patriarch’s illness, it was officially announced during an evening service at Saint George on 7 June 1970 that he would become parish priest — a position he has held ever since.
Across six decades of ministry, Father Patsouris has conducted over 6,000 baptisms, more than 2,500 weddings, and over 2,000 funerals — sacred moments that have shaped the lives of thousands.
As Australia’s first married priest, Father Patsouris has served as a bridge between tradition and modernity, breaking with centuries-old clerical norms while remaining deeply rooted in Orthodox theology. His approachable demeanor, family life, and commitment to engaging both elders and younger generations have helped modernise the Church’s role in community life.
His beloved wife, Presvytera, has been a constant support. Together they have raised children who continue to contribute to both the Church and the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia. Father Patsouris also speaks with pride of the establishment of the Hellenic Foundation, which reflects a lasting commitment to cultural preservation and philanthropic engagement.
Having served within both the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia, Father Patsouris has witnessed the longstanding division between these two entities.
“Mistakes have happened on both sides” Father Patsouris says.
“It is very sad that, up until this day, they [GOCSA and Archdiocese] have not found a solution for the good of our Greek Orthodox faith and community”, he says.
He remains hopeful and says that the Church and the community “are both imperative, and both need each other”.
“If ego and passions are removed, all can be resolved. I have personally made efforts to unite them, but it’s a matter out of my control.”
He has “deep gratitude” for Archbishop Makarios and Bishop Silouan, describing them as “loving, supportive, and genuine in their ongoing work toward unity”.
“They have shown nothing but kindness to everyone involved on both sides. I’m truly grateful.”
Under Father Patsouris’s leadership, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and College have grown into vibrant centres of faith and education. He remembers the sacrifices made to establish them, “People even put their houses down as guarantors in 1964 to get a loan to build the church. I personally am very grateful to those individuals and never stop praying for them.”
He stresses the importance of language in preserving cultural identity. While supporting the translation of services into English for younger generations, he offers a gentle reminder:
“We should be accommodating to the younger generation by translating the Greek to English — but to a certain extent, as the majority of the younger generation won’t be attending church at 8am on a Sunday morning. Those who will be there are the non-English-speaking elderly. English has its place, but it must not replace Greek, especially when psalms and liturgy lose meaning in translation.”
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Tom Koutsantonis praised Father Patsouris’s contribution when speaking to Neos Kosmos.
“Six decades of service to the priesthood, including 55 years serving the same parish, is a remarkable achievement. Father Patsouris has been recognised for his service with an OAM, and it has been wonderful to see his parishioners honour this special milestone. He has been a great servant of the Church, and a great servant of the western suburbs.”
Koutsantonis highlighted Father Patsouris’s cultural impact saying,”He has been a leading light in the preservation of Greek language and culture.
“He has built Greek schools for weekend and full-time students, formed Greek dancing groups, and established pensioner clubs where seniors can connect. The impact of this is immeasurable. Father Patsouris has made Saint George a focal point of community activity.”
Father Patsouris is humble about his legacy and says he places his “trust in God and the community.”
“I pray there are always people who will work hard to help Saint George grow — from a clerical perspective and as a school. As long as my health and God permit, I will continue to serve.”
