31/05/2026
Today we had the heartfelt privilege and blessing of welcoming His Grace Bishop Chrysostomos of Western Tanzania, Africa, who hails from the beautiful town of Plomari on the island of Mytilini (Lesvos).
His Grace attended and led the Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Marrickville, providing a truly inspiring and spiritually uplifting service for all those in attendance. His presence was a reminder of the far reaching mission of the Greek Orthodox Church and the strong bonds that unite Orthodox Christians around the world, regardless of where they serve.
Bishop Chrysostomos has devoted his life to the service of Christ and the Orthodox faith through his missionary work in Tanzania.
Through his ministry, he serves local communities, supports educational and charitable initiatives, and helps spread the message of the Gospel to people from all walks of life. His dedication and commitment to serving others is truly admirable and reflects the missionary spirit of the Orthodox Church.
Following the Divine Liturgy, we were warmly hosted by the Filoptoho for a delightful morning tea. This provided a wonderful opportunity to gather in fellowship, meet His Grace, and share in the spirit of Christian friendship and hospitality.
The day's fellowship continued with a lovely lunch at the Corinthian Rotisserie in Marrickville, where we were honoured to spend more time with Bishop Chrysostomos. During lunch, His Grace spoke passionately about Tanzania, its rich culture, traditions, and the warmth of its people. He shared fascinating insights into daily life, the growth of Orthodoxy throughout the region, and the many joys and challenges of missionary work in Africa.
Listening to his experiences was both enlightening and inspiring. His stories highlighted the strong faith of the local communities, the importance of education and outreach programs, and the remarkable impact the Orthodox Church continues to have in Tanzania. It was a rare privilege to hear firsthand about a part of the world that many of us know little about, yet where the Orthodox faith continues to flourish.
For those of us with roots from Lesvos, it was especially moving to meet a fellow Mytilenian from Plomari who has carried the values, faith, and traditions of our homeland across continents. His humility, warmth, wisdom, and dedication left a lasting impression on everyone who had the opportunity to meet him.
We sincerely thank His Grace Bishop Chrysostomos for leading today's service, sharing his experiences, and spending time with our community. It was a memorable and blessed day filled with faith, fellowship, learning, and inspiration.
May God continue to strengthen and guide him in his important ministry throughout Tanzania and beyond.
Axios! May God grant him many blessed years of service to the Church and its faithful.
