Graduation Doxology for Saint Andrew’s Theological College in Sydney

On 23 July, the Dedication Service for Graduates of St Andrew’s Theological College was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Annunciation (Redfern, NSW). The evening’s proceedings began with a formal procession of clergy, faculty and graduands into the Cathedral. A Doxological Service was chanted by a choir of alumni, students and members of the Byzantine Music School of Australia. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, as College Dean, recited a benediction over the graduates and conferred them with the College's ecclesiastical certificate.

His Eminence addressed spiritual words of edification to the new graduates who are destined to contribute to the Church and society. He urged them paternally to walk in a Christ-like way throughout their lives, in whichever way they decide to dedicate themselves and to offer a Christian witness within society.  He also implored the graduates to remain united around their spiritual alma mater, Saint Andrew’s Theological College, whose work has become significant for the spiritual progress of the Orthodox Church in Australia.

His Eminence acknowledged the efforts and collaboration of so many people of good will, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. He described the College’s long-standing membership of the Sydney College of Divinity (SCD) as a particular blessing and warmly greeted Revd Prof. Gerard Kelly, Chair of the SCD Academic Board, and Prof. Diane Speed, Dean Emerita of the SCD.

Honouring this important occasion with their presence was His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, the Very Revd Archimandrite Fr Christophoros Krikelis, Archdiocese Chancellor, and the Very Revd Archimandrite Geronda Eusebios, Abbot of Pantanassa Monastery. The Consul General for Greece in Sydney, Mr Ioannis Mallikourtis, was represented by Mr Constantinos Giannakodimos, Head of the Public Diplomacy Office of the Consulate. Reverend clergy and Archdiocesan council members were also in attendance.

Students graduating with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications were acknowledged as noted below:

Deacon Ignatius Hanna (Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies)

Fr Theodore Pantanassiotis (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Fr Maximos Pantanassiotis (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Johnny Rabahi (Bachelor of Theology)

Alexander Sen (Bachelor of Theology)

Christian Farinaccio (Master of Theological Studies)

Anne Kazas-Rogaris (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Joanna Krikelis (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Christine Menounos (Diploma of Christian Studies)

John Dolianitis (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Evyenia Dolianitis (Diploma of Christian Studies)

In Absentia

Revd Fr Terry Gerovasilis (Bachelor of Theology)

Christos Anagnostakos (Bachelor of Theology)

Kimon Giannopoulos (Master of Theological Studies)

Adam Wesselinoff (Master of Theological Studies)

Mustafa (Giorgios) Diktas (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Demetrios Hughes (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Hercules Kollias (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

George Varipatis (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

Peter Zourdis (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies)

+Peter Kozaitis (Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies) (d. 16/05/2023)

Roula Nicolacopoulos (Diploma of Christian Studies)

On Saturday 22 July, some of the aforementioned graduates were also present at the SCD Graduation Ceremony, which brought together approximately 400 attendees and distinguished guests. Here, inside the Great Hall of the University of Sydney, along with approximately 50 other graduates from the fellow member institutions of the SCD, they were conferred their respective degrees and awards by Mr Peter King, President of SCD Council. In his opening welcome, the Dean and CEO of SCD, Prof. Stephen Smith, announced with pride and joy the good news that the SCD had been registered as a University College by the federal regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), as per official media release on 7 July. The Occasional Address was delivered by Mr Neale Meredith, Principal and CEO of the Australian College of Ministries. The ceremony featured a choir from the Byzantine Music School of Australia who beautifully chanted in Greek the Vesperal Resurrection Theotokion of Tone 1, “Τὴν παγκόσμιον δόξαν …”

This latest group of graduates brought to 241 the total number of graduates (including 78 ordained clergymen) – receiving 281 SCD degrees and awards at various levels, but primarily the Bachelor of Theology – since St Andrew’s opened in 1986.