Our Parish Priest
Fr. Emmanuel Lykopandis
With great joy we welcome our new Parish Priest and Rector Fr. Emmanuel Lykopandis was born in Melbourne Australia on the 17th of October 1972 to the parents of Stavros and Maria who migrated to Australia from the Dodecanese Island of Symi and Kos Greece.
Educated locally in 1992-1994 entered Swinburne University and completed a diploma of Accounting (Auditing), in 1995-1998 Undertook studies at St Andrews Theological College in Sydney (Bachelor of Theology).
From 1999 till 2002 He was employed as a Theater technician at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Emergency Department.
In 2001 he married Anna Hryhorenko and currently have two children Eleni (2002) and Stavros (2004)
On the 26/11/2002 He was ordained to the Diaconate by His Eminence Stylianos of Australia and was appointed as deacon to His Grace Bishop Joseph of Arianzou. On the 16/3/2003 Sunday of Orthodoxy he was elevated to the priesthood by His Grace Bishop Joseph Arianzou and sent as an Assistant Priest to St Dimitrios Moonee Ponds, for over 20 years.
Since His Ordination Rev Emmanuel Lykopandis has represented the Archdiocese in the following organization.
- 2003-Present Royal Melbourne Hospital Chaplain Chaplain to (RMH) Royal Park, Royal Women’s and Peter Mac Hospital. Serving the spiritual needs of our faithful. Making aware to Hospital staff our traditions and customs
- 2004-2015 Victorian Council of Churches. Organised that the Greek Orthodox Church be on the executive council. Head the Eastern Faith Committee. Presented to the Faith and Order committee various topics. Help establish the State Emergency Ministry, introduced Orthodox Church assistance in rural areas, to help those in time of disaster
- 2006-2014 Victorian Multicultural Commission. (V.M.C). Help establish the, Racial and Religious Tolerance Act of Parliament, Advisory committee to the Premier of Victoria, Organized Employment for our Archdiocese i.e. Chaplains for Hospital, Defence, Universities and other government bodies.
- 2008-2018 Lead the way from a Parish based rising funds and goods to help establish an Orthodox Presences in Fiji and other Pacific Islands, supporting the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand in its missionary work.
- 2013 –Present Victoria Police Chaplain. Fr Emmanuel is the chaplain and counseling of all Police officers in the Moonee Valley, Moreland, North Melbourne and the air wing. He is also looks after the Wellbeing of Greek ancestry Police Officers in Victoria.
- 2019 His Eminence Archbishop bestowed upon Fr Emmanuel the title of confessor.
We truly thank is Eminence Archbishop Makarios for appointing a such loved priest and spiritual father to St. Johns
Father can be reached on 03 9380 1869 or 0413 686 988. Alternatively click below to fill out a contact form.
