Fr. Nektarios Zorbalas of Australia Has Fallen Asleep

SYDNEY — The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has announced the repose of Archimandrite Nektarios Zorbalas.

He was born Zacharias Zorbalas in 1935 on the Greek island of Kos and emigrated to Australia in the 1960s.

Ordained in 1971, he served in Innisfail, Queensland, before moving to Sydney in 1975, ministering at various parishes, including Sts. Constantine and Helen in Newtown since 1988. 

He died on July 23, 2025, at age 90. 

Fr. Nektarios was renowned for founding the “Soup Kitchen” at Sts. Constantine and Helen, providing food and support to Sydney’s needy, regardless of background. 

Archbishop Makarios, in a Trisagion memorial service, praised his humility and charity, noting his legacy of Christian values in multicultural Australia. In his eulogy, the Archbishop said:

Today, we bid farewell to a blessed clergyman whose presence adorned our local church and whose multifaceted work, both spiritual and social, further elevated Christian values in our multicultural Australian society. Father Nektarios was a model of humility, integrity, and selfless service to others. With godly zeal, he embodied the commandment, ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful’ (Luke 6:36). He always stood by those in need with a heart full of kindness and love, offering words of comfort and support. His life was one of humble, God-pleasing service that bore blessed fruit. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire us. We will always remember him with gratitude and pray for the repose of his soul. May his memory be eternal.

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