The funeral service for the late Protopresbyter Elias Kentrotis will be held at the Church of St Haralambos in Templestowe, Melbourne. The service will be led by Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Archdiocese announced.
Fr Kentrotis passed away on Saturday, 23 August 2025, at the age of 74.
A life of service to the Church and community
Born in Brisbane in 1951, Fr Elias was a third-generation Greek Australian. His father’s family hailed from Kythera and Aegina, while his mother’s roots were in Kastellorizo and Chios.
In 1974, he received a scholarship to study at the Theological School of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, living at the Monastery of Vlatadon during his studies. He was ordained in 1976 and returned to Australia three years later, settling in Melbourne.
His first assignment was to establish the Parish of the Presentation of the Lord (Ypapanti) in Coburg. In 1988, he founded the Parish of St Haralambos in Templestowe, where he faithfully served for 37 years until his repose.
Fr Elias was among the first Australian-born priests of the Archdiocese of Australia and became a much-loved spiritual father, particularly dedicated to younger generations of the Greek community. He was widely respected for his pastoral care, faith and devotion to the Church.
Married to Presvytera Stavroula since 1976, they had five children and nine grandchildren.
Messages of condolence
Archbishop Makarios expressed his condolences to Presvytera Stavroula and the Kentrotis family, describing Fr Elias as “a gifted, hardworking and much-loved priest.”
“The hope of the Resurrection consoles us, yet it does not erase the human pain we feel at the loss of such a devoted servant of the Church,” the Archbishop said.
“His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our local Church, which he served with sacrifice and integrity for nearly half a century.”
The Greek Orthodox Parish of St Haralambos, Templestowe and Doncaster, also paid tribute, writing:
“With deep sorrow, but with hope in the Resurrection, we announce the repose of our beloved parish priest, Protopresbyter Elias Kentrotis.
He fell asleep in the Lord on 23 August 2025, after serving the Holy Church faithfully for 49 years, including 37 years as founding priest of our parish. His legacy of faith, love and devotion will remain with us forever. Eternal be his memory.”
