The Holy Archdiocese of Australia, with profound emotion and human sadness, announces the passing away of Archimandrite Nektarios Zorbalas, who fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
The late clergyman (born as Zacharias Zorbalas) was born on the Greek island of Kos in 1935. In the mid-1960s he emigrated to Australia, where he was honoured to fulfill the heartfelt desire he had carried since his childhood, to wear the honoured cassock. He entered the priesthood in 1971 and took on the task of ministering to the Greek Orthodox faithful of the Parish of the Dormition of the Theotokos in remote Innisfail, Far North Queensland. In 1974 he received the office of Archimandrite, while in 1975 he moved to Sydney, where he served successively in the Parishes of Archangel Michael (Crows Nest), St. Sophia and Her Three Daughters (Taylor Square) and St. Nicholas (Marrickville), before obtaining a permanent priestly assignment, in 1988, at the Parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Newtown. Since then, he has linked his personal journey with the blessed path of the dynamic Parish of Newtown, leading its development and spiritual progress.
He was particularly distinguished for his charitable work, as he was the founder and pioneer of the “Soup Kitchen”, a wonderful initiative of the Parish of Saints Constantine and Helen, which has the mission of providing food, as well as multi-level support to our brothers and sisters in need from all over Sydney, regardless of religion or origin.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, upon learning of the passing away of Fr. Nektarios, celebrated a Trisagion memorial service for the repose of his soul, then contacted his relatives, to whom he expressed his condolences, while in a statement he stated: “A blessed cleric has left us today, who with his presence adorned our local Church and with his multidimensional work, spiritual and social, further highlighted Christian values in the wider society of our multicultural Australia. The late Father Nektarios was a model of modesty, morality and selfless service to his fellow human being. Committed with godly zeal to the commandment “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36), he always stood by those in need, with a heart full of kindness and love, with a comforting word and with hands constantly outstretched, in order to offer support and relief. His life was a humble, but God-pleasing ministry, which left behind blessed fruits. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire us. We will always remember him with gratitude and pray for the repose of his soul. May his memory be eternal.”
The Funeral Service of the Late Father Nektarios will be celebrated, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, on Monday, 28 July 2025 (from 10.30 a.m.), immediately after the Divine Liturgy (from 7.00 a.m.).
