A pioneer of Australia’s Orthodox community who baptised ‘every Greek child’ in western Sydney during the ‘60s and ‘70s is remembered for his ‘exceptionally dynamic’ contributions.
The cleric of blessed memory was born in 1932 in Agia Kyriaki of the prefecture of Kastoria. In 1958, he ordained a priest of the Holy Metropolis of Kastoria. Two years later, he immigrated to the fifth continent (Australia) and joined the Priestly family of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia under the late Archbishop Ezekiel.
From the beginning, he connected his priestly ministry with the Parish–Community of Saint Ioannis in Parramatta, Sydney. He was the founder, Rector and pioneer in its subsequent spiritual and material progress.
Fr Nicholas Tsouloukidis served the Parish-Community for 48 years, with the constant support of his Presvytera and his two daughters and the kind cooperation of the respective Parish-Community council. He continued to be actively involved in the Parramatta Church and Community life for many years after retirement in 2008.
After being informed of Fr. Nicholas’ passing away, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia expressed his condolences to the family and relatives of the late priest while making the following statement:
“Our Holy Archdiocese as of yesterday has become poorer after the loss of a true worker of the Gospel and a man with a vision and an inexhaustible willingness to give to the Church and Hellenism."
He arrived in Australia at a difficult time when materials and human resources were scarce for our local Church. He became a valuable collaborator to my predecessor of blessed memory, Archbishop Ezekiel.
He continued to work with devotion for almost half a century for the glory of God and the Church. Our Holy Archdiocese will always be grateful to him and will never forget his valuable contribution. In the same manner, Fr Nicholas will never be forgotten by the Greek Orthodox in Parramatta, Sydney, for it was with his inspiring guidance that they created an exceptionally dynamic Parish – Community. The respect and love with which all his parishioners surrounded him until the last moment are undeniable witnesses of his greatness as a man and a priest. Through the intercessions of Saint John the Forerunner, I pray that God will rest the soul of Fr. Nicholas in the land of the living.”
It is noted that the Funeral Service, which will be presided over by Archbishop Makarios himself, will take place on Wednesday, 1 March 2023, at 11 am, at the Holy Church of Saint Ioannis, in the suburb of Parramatta, Sydney. The Trisagion Service is also taking place the day before, on Tuesday, 28 February 2023, at 6:30 pm at the same Church. The Burial will take place at Rookwood Cemetery.
