Former Agape Ministries followers Raphael and Patricia Azariah run from court after hearing over fall of cult’s million-dollar empire
THEY were once the public faces of Agape Ministries and denied it was a cult — now Raphael and Patricia Azariah are suing their former faith for $2.5 million and running from court with their faces covered.
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THEY were the public faces of Agape Ministries — a loving couple and devoted parents who, six years ago, insisted theirs was a Christian faith, not a bizarre doomsday cult.
On Wednesday, Raphael and Patricia Azariah ran from the Supreme Court with their faces hidden after the latest hearing over the fate of Agape’s million-dollar empire.
Asked for comment by The Advertiser, the couple instead fled down King William St to a waiting car, with Mr Azariah running directly at a photographer.
Earlier, they had tried to leave the court by jumping the fence into the judges’ car park — only to be caught by sheriff’s officers and marched back inside.
The attitude displayed by the couple — who are part of a group seeking $2.5 million compensation from the cult — was in stark contrast to their last public appearance.
In June 2010, they sat arm-in-arm outside a CBD cafe for a video interview in which they denied Agape members were involved in unusual behaviour.
The couple — whose self-chosen last name means “the Lord is my helper” — joined Agape in 1993 and its leader, Rocco Leo, presided over their wedding.
“I am not a nutter or a crazy-farm type of person — I am a person that believes in God, I am a Christian, I am a man who takes the Bible seriously,” Mr Azariah said at the time.
“Agape Ministries has never been a doomsday cult ... it has never been preached, in our church, that the world is going to end ... that’s contrary to our beliefs.”
Mr Azariah conceded Agape’s teachings included “the mark of the Beast” but denied that meant human microchipping, saying the concept was “for people to interpret in their own way”.
He said allegations younger members, such as his daughters Amanda and Danielle, were promised in marriage to older men and trained to use guns were hurtful.
“It is a load of hogwash, and it is without a doubt probably one of the most cruel things I’ve ever heard,” he said.
The couple’s interview prompted Mr Azariah’s mother and brother, Lesley and Joel Baligod, to call for them to leave Agape and be part of their family again.
Their plea went unanswered.