Long serving priest, Father Athanasios Marinakis was honoured on May 30 at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia for his 40-year contribution to the community.
Father Marinakis was ordained in 1962 at the young age of 31.
Beyond his duties as a priest, the now 79-year-old selflessly dedicated himself to assisting the broader Greek community.
He has been a probation officer, an interpreter for the courts, and an interpreter at the Children’s Hospital in both Melbourne and South Australia.
He has assisted the Greek community in immigration matters, workers compensation matters, common law cases and raised money for the poor.
“Social work and immigration was where the need was because people were very, very poor,” he said.
In 1988, Father Marinakis was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his services to the community.
The ceremony saw president of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia, Mr Elovaris unveil a plaque in Father Marinakis’ honour.
Mr Elovaris praised the long service of Father Marinakis, acknowledging the grave responsibility he had towards attaining to the spiritual needs of the community.
Also present was the Bishop of Adelaide , Iakovos, SA Minister for Multicultural Affairs Grace Portolesi, Father Nicholas Despinoudis, Father Mariankis’ family.
Father Marinakis thanked all those who have advised him and supported him including various church communities and the committee of women’s auxiliary of the church, including Mrs Antigone Vasou.
He closed off by thanking all his parishioners and the Greek community for the many years of support as he serviced the church.