Tribute to Fr Nektarios Zorbalas

“In the Vineyard of the Lord: Remembering Father Nektarios”

It has now been just over six months since the repose in the Lord of Father Nektarios Zorbalas of blessed memory (Priest of the Holy Parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Newtown, NSW). For many within the wider ecclesial community—and in a particular way for the alumni of St Andrew’s Theological College—Father Nektarios remains deeply inscribed in memory, affection, and gratitude.

For years, many of us who studied at St Andrew’s, encountered Father Nektarios on a daily basis. His daily presence at morning chapel, and his gentle and unobtrusive service, formed part of the spiritual rhythm of the College. Without drawing attention to himself, he bore witness to a priesthood shaped by prayer, hospitality, and a sincere love for persons—especially the young, the searching, and the burdened.

Recently, an alumnus of St Andrew’s, Peter Bourbous (Class of 1995), shared with me a very personal and beautiful reflection written in memory of Father Nektarios. With his permission, I felt it fitting to share this tribute more widely—not only as an act of remembrance for one whom many of us knew and loved, but also to reveal another dimension of his ministry which may have remained largely unseen and perhaps unknown.

What follows in the testimonial below is not merely a personal remembrance; it is a testimony to a life quietly conformed to the Gospel, where faith was expressed through service, and theology was lived before it was spoken.

May these words invite us not only to remember Father Nektarios with thanksgiving, but also to reflect anew on the kind of priesthood—and indeed the kind of Christian life—that leaves such an enduring mark upon the hearts of others.

Philip Kariatlis, Sub-Dean

A short tribute/reflection for a dear mentor and friend – Revd Fr Nektarios Zorbalas

(Departed this world just over six months ago, on 23 July, 2025)

My dear Father Nektarios,

God has called you home to Himself, after a lifetime of service and devotion to so many people. You were a very special priest and pastor in the vineyard of the Lord. You showed love, kindness, compassion, empathy, and understanding to all people without exception.

You gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, help to the helpless, care to the sick, support to the suffering, strength to the powerless, a voice to the voiceless, and the gift of friendship to the lonely. The following words of Christ the Lord and King were indeed the compass of your life: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matt. 25:35-40). With your words and deeds, dear Father Nektarios, you highlighted for all of us the significance of seeing the face of Christ in the face of every hurting and suffering person. Your remarkable love and concern for people in need showed us all that when a person is hungry and thirsty the immediate need is bread and water, not religious instruction or spiritual advice. Your unforgettable philanthropic work showed us that there is a time and place for theology in theory – ‘speaking theology’, and a time and place for theology in practice – ‘doing theology’. Your life’s work taught all of us that as human beings, and as Christians, it was (and is) of paramount importance to always fight against one of the most awful plagues of our time – apathy and indifference. You taught all of us in both word and deed that as human beings, and as Christians, we must never show indifference, or apathy, or arrogance, or aloofness, or a holier-than-thou attitude where the plight of the less fortunate, the vulnerable, the wounded, the sick, and the suffering is concerned. Further to this, there was never an ulterior motive behind the significant charity work that took place at the parish in which you served. You never chased accolades or recognition for yourself, but only wanted attention to be shown for people’s challenges and hardships that needed to be addressed. This showed us all that when it comes to care and concern for our fellow human beings, it must be real, genuine, heartfelt, and unconditional, without it ever becoming a self-congratulatory task, or a means to a self-glorification or self-admiration end.  

Father Nektarios, you were a safe haven and a place of refuge for the frightened, the forgotten, the abandoned, the downtrodden, the marginalised, the disadvantaged, the bereaved, and the burdened and heavy-laden. You always made the effort to be a living and breathing reminder to all people of the following words of Christ: “Come to me, all you that are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29).  

You, Father Nektarios, brought the love of God to all people, and you brought all people to the love of God. Your work helped people to see God’s love, and it helped people to feel God’s love, even in the midst of life’s challenges, uncertainties, and hardships. You were a bright light in the dark moments of people’s lives, and you were a source of hope when people felt that even hope had ceased to exist. You unceasingly brought to all people, and inspired in all people, the great triad of all virtues foundational for Christian life (as emphasised by Saint Paul): faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). You knew that very often life’s difficulties would knock people down, put their faith to the test, and dampen their hope for the future. However, you also knew that the greatest virtue of all – unconditional love – would help people maintain their faith, hold on to hope, lift up their eyes, stand up, take a much-needed step forward in their life, and look forward to the dawn of a new day. You taught all people in word and deed that while other gifts eventually fade with time, the aforementioned virtues endure for all time. Your words and actions taught all people that the three virtues of faith, hope, and love, will always be the key ingredients for people to have a relationship with God, maintain a relationship one with the other, navigate life’s trials and tribulations, and, in the end, rejoice in eternity in the peace of God’s loving embrace, which awaits all people of peace, love, kindness, mercy, compassion, meekness, and purity of heart and soul.        

For all these things, and for so many more, beloved Father Nektarios, you will forever be remembered, honoured, respected, and cherished by countless people. The love you showed the students of St Andrew’s Theological College will also never be forgotten. The daily Matins services you conducted, and the daily lunches you provided for the students of St Andrew’s, did not go unnoticed, and were appreciated more than we could ever say in words. It was such a great blessing for all students to begin the day together with prayer and glorification of God. This would set the tone for the day ahead to progress in a peaceful and productive way. It was also a lovely thing for students to gather together at lunch, around the same table, for a common meal which, apart from being a blessing in itself, gave students the opportunity to discuss, debate, and reflect on things learnt each day in lectures. You, Father Nektarios, offered these precious things for the benefit of, and with great love for, all students at St Andrew’s Theological College. However, perhaps the greatest gift you gave all of us at St Andrew’s was your own shining example of what it truly means to be a human being, what it truly means to be a Christian person, and what it truly means to be a servant in the vineyard of the Lord. For all the invaluable things you provided, a heartfelt thank you is the least that can be said, and deep gratitude is the least that can be felt, by a great number of St Andrew’s Theological College students from yesteryear.

Dear Father Nektarios,

God has now prepared a very special place for you, by His side, in a place of light, rest, refreshment, and green pasture, where there is no pain, grief, sorrow, or suffering, but only life everlasting. God has now whispered in your ear: “Well done good and faithful servant. …Enter now into the joy of your Lord!”(Matt. 25:23). May you rest now dear man of God, beloved friend of all people, and humble servant of the Lord, in the eternal peace of God’s loving embrace, and may your memory be eternal.

With love, gratitude, prayers, and praise to God for His gift of you to so many people,
 

by Peter Bourbous (alumnus of St Andrew’s Theological College – Class of 1995)

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