Pandelis Toumbelekis, Author at Greek Orthodox Christian Society

Missionary Visit to Medan, Indonesia

On Wednesday 26th November, with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos and His Eminence Metropolitan Konstantinos of Singapore, nine men from the Greek Orthodox Christian Society departed for Medan, Indonesia, at the request of Fr Chrysostomos Manalu, an Orthodox priest of Indonesian background. The men will provide medical assistance, as well as deliver Christian talks and sermons to the many Orthodox faithful in Medan. In upcoming editions of Lychnos, we will be featuring a new series of articles on this visit and the Orthodox faithful in Indonesia. Picture below: Nine members of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society on their [...]

Pandelis Toumbelekis2016-10-14T14:50:45+11:00December 12th, 2014|

2014 Sunday School Concerts

During the months of October to December, Sunday Schools at various Orthodox parishes of Sydney held their annual concerts to celebrate the end of another fruitful year of learning. In particular, the parish of All Saints Belmore, held its concert with major play productions involving the Boys and Girls Ομάδες (Youth Fellowships), to celebrate 50 years since the founding of the parish. With God’s help, Sunday Schools will resume again in all parishes next year in March. For more information, contact your local parish priest. The Sunday School children of St Dimitrios Parish, St Marys, performing at their annual [...]

Pandelis Toumbelekis2016-10-14T14:50:45+11:00December 10th, 2014|

Papa-Dimitri Gagastathis – The Man of God (1902-1975)

Papa-Dimitri Gagastathis – The Man of God (1902-1975) Published by Orthodox Kypseli, 1977. Many people are embarrassed or even offended by the thought that others might characterize them as simple. Even as Orthodox Christians, we may admire simplicity in others but we seldom make a conscious effort to nurture it in ourselves, forgetting that the Lord said plainly “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3). Papa-Dimitri (1902-1975) lived in the small village of Platanos on the Thessalian plain. He grew up in a poor family [...]

Pandelis Toumbelekis2016-10-14T14:50:10+11:00December 5th, 2014|

The Kandili – Vigil Lamp

The Kandili – Vigil Lamp The pace of family life today has become undeniably hectic. The vigil lamp (καντήλι) serves as a means to slow us down. When the family, 'the little church', comes together in prayer in front of the iconostasis, it should be a haven, a shutting out of the outside world and an entry into a world of peace. The kandili is a necessity for ALL Orthodox homes and should be kept alight at all times. It is placed on our iconostasis in front of our icons as a reminder that Jesus Christ is the light of [...]

Pandelis Toumbelekis2020-04-11T19:31:51+10:00December 5th, 2014|

Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – St John of Kronstadt

St John of Kronstadt Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple In his homily on the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos (November 21), St John of Kronstadt (1828-1908) asks “How did the most blessed Virgin spend her time in the Temple?” He notes just four things, and pleads with us to imitate the Theotokos in these, adding that the Church is the “school of faith and piety” which we too, like her, must make the centre of our life. First he states that she spent her time learning how to pray directly by the Holy Spirit, showing us [...]