In Loving Memory of Father Nektarios: A Shepherd of Souls and Servant of the Poor

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In Loving Memory of Father Nektarios Zorbalas
A Shepherd of Souls and a Servant of the Poor
† Fell Asleep in the Lord – 23 July 2025

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With profound sorrow and deep gratitude for a life of unwavering love and service, we announce the passing of our beloved Father Nektarios Zorbalas — a true spiritual shepherd, tireless philanthropist, and deeply cherished member of the Greek Orthodox community in Sydney, Australia.

Remembering Father Nektarios Zorbalas: A Spiritual Shepherd and Philanthropist

For decades, Father Nektarios served with compassion and humility, dedicating his life to the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten — not just as a priest, but as a friend, a listener, and a father to all. Though he ministered for many years at the Parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Newtown, his journey of giving began in Marrickville, where he first established a modest soup kitchen — not just to feed bodies, but to nourish hearts.

“When I first started the soup kitchen, it was not so much for the food,” Father Nektarios once said. “But for people to be together. The people would talk about what they had gone through… I would look forward to sitting and eating with them and to sharing their life stories.”

That soup kitchen, which began with humble meals and even humbler means, grew into a sanctuary for Sydney’s most vulnerable — a place where no one was judged, no one was turned away, and everyone was met with dignity. Through it, Father Nektarios lived the Gospel — not just in word, but in deed, embracing people from all walks of life, regardless of their background, religion, or circumstances.

A Life Dedicated to Serving Others

Father Nektarios began his ministry in Marrickville, where he established a humble soup kitchen. Rather than simply providing meals, he created a sanctuary where people could share their stories and find companionship. Over time, this initiative grew into a vital refuge for Sydney’s most vulnerable, reflecting his belief that true charity nurtures both body and soul.

The Heart of Giving: A Legacy Captured in Print

His legacy has been lovingly captured in the book "The Heart of Giving – Father Nektarios’ Soup Kitchen" by acclaimed photographer Effy Alexakis, who spent two years documenting his work and the lives it has touched. “Without sounding too melodramatic,” she wrote, “the book and the philanthropy and kindness of the people I met have changed me.” It was launched in his honour at Saint Nicholas in Marrickville — the very community where his journey of service began.

Even after his retirement, the seeds he planted continued to grow. His work lives on through the tireless efforts of volunteers and the current Parish Priest of Newtown, Father Nicholas Stavropoulos, who has faithfully carried forward this ministry “with great love, dedication, and self-sacrifice,” as acknowledged by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

Continuing His Mission

During the inauguration of the newly renovated soup kitchen, Archbishop Makarios paid a moving tribute to Father Nektarios, declaring, “This space is where the heart of the charity of our Archdiocese beats.” It was a fitting recognition of the immeasurable love and labour Fr Nektarios poured into his mission — not for glory, but for God.

A Final Farewell to a Beloved Shepherd

Today, as we mourn the earthly loss of this extraordinary man, we also celebrate a life that truly mirrored Christ’s love. Father Nektarios gave not just bread to the hungry, but comfort to the lonely, hope to the struggling, and community to the lost.

May his memory be eternal.