Lenten Lecture & Fundraising Event

On Saturday 17 April, the Greek Orthodox Church of ‘The Presentation of our Lady to the Temple’ in North Balwyn (VIC) hosted an event in support of the Theological College. The evening’s proceedings began with Vespers of the Resurrection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, followed by a public lecture delivered by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope, College alumnus and sessional lecturer in Patristics, entitled ‘In the World but not of the World.’ His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Derbe also honoured the event with his attendance. Bishop Silouan was then joined by fellow alumni Mr Dionysios Krinas (BTh, 2001) and Mr Vasilios Le Couilliard (BTh, 2012, MA, 2020) in a round table discussion answering questions from the 145 attendees. The evening concluded with a fundraising dinner inside the parish hall, where College students Mrs Anna Vagias (Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies, 2020, and current Masters student) and Miss Evyenia Vagias (current undergraduate student) – mother and daughter – from the Greek Orthodox Church of St Panteleimon in Dandenong shared their experiences as part-time mature age students studying theology via distance education whilst also balancing their work, family and volunteer commitments. The event raised $5,000 in support of the Theological College. Sincere appreciation is owed to parish priest and College alumnus, Fr Nicholas Georgiou (BTh, 2016), who conceived and organised this event in collaboration with the tireless and generous volunteers of the parish, and to all those who attended in person or who made a donation in absentia.