Ezekiel Kefalas (born 25 December 1938) is a retired hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople based in Melbourne, Australia. Titled Bishop of Dervis, Kefalas served as an assistant bishop within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia from 1977 until his retirement in November, 2021 when he was elevated to the honorary title of Metropolitan of Dervis.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel Kefalas | |
|---|---|
| Orders | |
| Ordination | July 1962 (Deacon) 30 September 1962 (Priest) |
| Consecration | 20 March 1977 (Bishop) 30 August 2021 (Metropolitan) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ezekiel Kefalas 25 December 1938 Akritas, Kilkis, Macedonia, Greece |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Denomination | Orthodox Christian |
| Residence | Melbourne, Australia |
| Alma mater | Theological School of Halki |
Overview
editEzekiel Kefalas was born in Akritas, Kilkis on 25 December 1938. He studied theology at the Theological School of Halki on the island of Halki and graduated in 1962.[1] He was then ordained a deacon before moving to Australia in September where he was ordained to the priesthood at the parish of Panagia Myrtidiotissa in Dubbo, New South Wales. He briefly served at the parish-community of Saint Gerasimos in Leichhardt, Sydney before being appointed as the founding priest at the large Sydney Parish and Community of All Saints in Belmore where he served until his elevation to the episcopate in 1977.[2]
On 1 March 1977, Father Ezekiel was elected by the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as an assistant Bishop to Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. Here, Ezekiel was given the title Bishop of Dervis and appointed by Archbishop Stylianos as his assistant bishop in Perth. Ezekiel would serve the church in Perth for three years followed by five years in Adelaide. In 1984, Archbishop Stylianos appointed Ezekiel as assistant bishop of the second Archdiocesan district of Victoria and Tasmania where he would serve until his retirement in November, 2021.[3]
Following the passing of Archbishop Stylianos on 25 March 2019, Ezekiel was briefly the Patriarchal Commissioner of the Archdiocese of Australia until the election of Makarios Griniezakis as Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia.[citation needed]
Ezekiel retired in November 2021 and was elevated by the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to Metropolitan of Dervis. With the blessing of Archbishop Makarios, His Eminence continues to reside in Melbourne where he continues to serve the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.[4]
Awards
editIn 2022, Kefalas received the medal of the Order of the Christ-loving by Archbishop Makarios. This award is the highest distinction of the Archdiocese of Australia and Ezekiel was the first hierarch to receive this title.[5]
References
edit- ^ Kapandritis, Father. Alexiou S. (2019). "The Orthodox Church in Australia as Metropolis (1924-1959) & Holy Archdiocese (1959-Today)". Greece Ecclesiastical History and Culture: 163.
- ^ "Greek Orthodox Leaders". Victorian Council of Churches. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Greek Orthodox Leaders". Victorian Council of Churches. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Four new Bishops and the elevation of Bishop Ezekiel to Metropolitan of Dervis". Neos Kosmos. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Metropolitan of Dervis Ezekiel honoured on his nameday with Order of the Christ-loving medal". Neos Kosmos. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2023.