Hundreds farewell Greek Orthodox leader Stylianos Harkianakis

Australia’s political and religious elite joined hundreds of other mourners today to farewell the Greek Orthodox leader Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis, who “understood the importance of being an Australian”.

Greek Orthodox leader Stylianos Harkianakis died this week, aged 83.

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Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos has paid tribute to Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis who he says “understood the importance of being an Australian”.

The country’s political and religious elite joined hundreds of other mourners today to farewell the 83-year-old Greek Orthodox leader.

The celebrated poet and intellectual, who has led half a million Australian Greek Orthodox members since 1975, died on Monday and was commemorated at the Cathedral Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern.

Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos paid tribute to Greek Orthodox leader Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis at his funeral today. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias and Catholic Bishop of Bathurst Michael McKenna at the funeral of Archbishop Stylianos held at the Greek Orthodox Church in Redfern. Picture: Richard Dobson

NSW Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos – who was at the service representing Prime Minister Scott Morrison – said the Archbishop “has very much left his stamp on the archdiocese and the broader Australian community”.

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“He has strengthened the foundations of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia and that church has been a big pillar of the Greek community in Australia,” Mr Sinodinos said.

“He understood the importance of being an Australian.

“When he came here I think he made the decision ‘I’m of Greek extraction but I am in Australia’ and so he thought it important to engage the broader community, including at the political level.”

Former premier Nick Greiner attended the funeral. Picture: Richard Dobson

Anthony Albanese was also among mourners at the Greek Orthodox Church in Redfern. Picture: Richard Dobson

Fellow NSW Liberal Senator Jim Molan, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, former Liberal Attorney-General and immigration minister Philip Ruddock, federal Labor MP Anthony Albanese and acting NSW Labor leader Penny Sharpe were also there.

Ms Berejiklian said: “I extend my condolences to His Eminence’s family and the Greek Orthodox community.”

Archbishop Stylianos christened former NSW Labor treasurer Michael Costa’s two children, Mikos and Valentina, and conducted his marriage to wife Deb.

Michael Costa with his wife Deb and their children Valentina and Mikos pay their respects at the funeral. Picture: Richard Dobson

“My wife converted to Greek Orthodox to get married and the Archbishop was very chuffed about that,” Mr Costa told The Sunday Telegraph.

“He said it was one on his side of the ledger.

“He was a great man and I admired particularly his intellect and we had many discussions about the schism in the church.

“For a lot of Greeks it is not theology it is culture. The church is part of the cultural cement that holds the community together.”

Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Anglican Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies, and representatives from the Russian, Romanian, Serbian and Coptic and Armenian denominations were in attendance.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias at the funeral. Picture: Richard Dobson

After the service he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery.

Born in Crete, Archbishop Stylianos was unanimously elected Archbishop of Australia and arrived in Sydney in April 1975.

He is also a recognised essayist and poet, having published 40 collections of Greek poetry.

Archbishop Stylianos is the founder (in 1986) of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, Sydney, where he lectured in systematic theology.

He has also taught Orthodox theology and spirituality at the University of Sydney.