Fr Andreas Papadimitropoulos. Photo: Kostas Deves
13 February 2021 7:15pm
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – District of Melbourne made the following announcement this afternoon: “It is with deep sadness that we inform the faithful that Fr Andreas Papadimitropoulos, Parish Priest at St Catherine Church, East Malvern, has fallen asleep in the Lord early this afternoon Saturday 13th February, 2021. Father’s family thank you for your prayers and condolences. Funeral details will be released shortly.”
Last Sunday the former parish priest of St Catherine’s in Malvern called on his congregation to pray for him to die soon and as painlessly as possible.
Fr Andreas has been diagnosed with a particularly virulent form of cancer.
Despite the advanced state of his illness, Fr Andreas surprised his congregation at St Catherine’s last Sunday, when he appeared at the service in a wheelchair and spoke to the faithful at the end of the service.
He spoke in a in a weak voice that could barely be heard through the microphone.
But among other things he said: “I do not have a voice and I cannot speak. My life is fading and my days are few. I will soon die. I came here to this sacred place that I have served for decades so that I may see you all and to tell you that ‘I love you and thank you’ – especially my co-workers in the church. The poor, the teachers, the singers, the church committee members, all of them.”