The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has announced that a new men's monastery will be built on a plot called Mela Mountain, near the city of Flowerdale in Victoria, Australia.
The decision was made during a meeting between His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia and the President of the Pontiac Foundation “Panagia Sumela” of Australia, Mr. Onoufrios Gorozides, which occurred on Tuesday 10th December, 2019.
Mr. Gorozidis owns approximately 1,200 acres on Flowerpole Hill in Flowerdale, which he has named "Mela Mountain". Part of this land will be donated to The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia for the construction and establishment of the new monastery.
It must be mentioned that Mela Mountain has hosted a variety of events, with reference to Greek and, in particular, Pontic tradition. On the land, there is also a wooden iconostasis dedicated to Panagia Sumela, which attracts many pilgrims from the Greek community in Australia.
Mr. Gorozides guided His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and the clergy accompanying him around the area dedicated to the creation of the new sacred monastery.