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St Romanos the Melodist's Hymns on the Passion of Christ

By Dr Andrew Mellas (Senior Lecturer in Church History and Liturgical Studies)

At the precipice of Holy Week, the death of Lazarus and the tears of those who mourn his passing make for one of the most emotive biblical stories.Even Jesus, who eventually commands Lazarus to rise up from Hades, weeps when he sees the tears of Mary and groans in the spirit.As the Son of God, Jesus’ tears represented a complex phenomenon, bespeaking a mysterious interaction of divine and human natures, and leaving many a church father and mother perplexed...

The Sunday of Orthodoxy

By Associate Professor Philip Kariatlis (Sub-Dean)

Within the liturgical tradition of our Church, the first Sunday of Holy and Great Lent is known as the ‘Sunday of Orthodoxy’. It is a day which commemorates the restoration of icons to the Church in 843AD and the definitive end of iconoclasm in Byzantium. For this reason, those attending Church on this day solemnly process with holy icons around the Church, giving visible expression to their confession of faith, and affirming the theological integrity and rightful place of icons within the life of the Church.Moreover, in their reverend procession, the faithful equally profess what they long and strive to become—living icons of God—especially through this sacred period within...

Unmasking Scholarship Masquerading as Church History

By Dr Andrew Mellas (Senior Lecturer in Church History and Liturgical Studies)

Sadly, in recent times, what is often presented as historical scholarship is, in truth, a fanciful attempt to conceal political motivations that masquerade as erudite explorations of church history. In this jungle of hypocrisy, or perhaps simplistic ignorance, the scholar misunderstands and misrepresents the significant difference between ecclesiastical autonomy and autocephaly in the Orthodox Church, defends blatant violations of international law, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and confuses Finland with the Baltic states. However, such distinctions are rendered nugatory in the scholar’s quest to paint a sordid scene of religious exploitation that supposedly seeks to foment Russophobia...

Tribute to Fr Nektarios Zorbalas

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

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...

Launch of a New Master of Greek Philosophy Program Commencing 2026

It is with great joy and satisfaction that St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College announces a landmark academic initiative: the introduction of a new postgraduate program, the Master of Greek Philosophy, to commence in the 2026 Academic Year. This is a historic development for both the Theological College and the broader academic landscape of Australia, highlighting the enduring contribution of Greek philosophical thought to theology, culture, and the formation of the human person.

The official launch of the Master of Greek Philosophy will take place on Sunday, 18 January 2026, at 7:30pm, in the Hall of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College...

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