By Tate Papworth
The Greek Orthodox community of St Albans has welcomed a new priest.
Father Irinaios was appointed to he position in May and has spent the months since getting to know the community.
It’s been a rapid rise for Father Irinaios, who is just 23 years old. He said although he’s young, he feels like he’s found his calling.
“I finished high school and went off to Sydney to study theology. After that I went to Greece and stayed with a very holy elder and it made it evidently clear to me that this is my calling and it’s what I want to do with myself,” he said.
“Upon returning to Australia I was given the opportunity to come to this historic church.
“It’s been amazing, I feel absolutely complete. My ambition, even as a little boy, was to get in the priesthood and I feel like everything I’ve wanted is coming to fruition.”
Father Irinaios grew up in Brunswick and said the move to Brimbank has been an amazing experience.
“It’s been a feeling I’ve never experienced before,” he said.
“This is a really solid, well-built community and it’s been really welcoming.”
He said he was pleasantly surprised with how diverse the church is.
“Our church is a very multicultural one,” he said.
“It represents 10 nationalities, which is unusual for Greek churches – we’re a Greek Orthodox church, but we’re here for everybody.”
