The Holy Archdiocese of Australia, with deepest emotion and sorrow, announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Protopresbyter Elias Kentrotis, who fell asleep on Saturday, 23 August 2025.”
The late clergyman was born in 1951 in Brisbane, Australia, and was a third-generation migrant, with his parents tracing their origins—his father from Kythera and Aegina, and his mother from Castellorizo and Chios. He was raised in the Greek Orthodox traditions and close to the Orthodox Church, and in 1974 he received a scholarship to study at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During his studies, he lived at the Holy Monastery of Vlatadon, where he dedicated himself to the liturgical and spiritual life of the Church.
He entered the Holy Priesthood in 1976, and three years later returned to Australia and settled in Melbourne. His first mission was the establishment and organisation of the Parish of the Presentation of Our Lord, in the suburb of Coburg. In 1988 he undertook the founding of the Parish of Saint Haralambos in Templestowe, Melbourne, where he served with dedication and fervent zeal for a full 37 years, until his passing. He was especially beloved by his spiritual children in the parishes where he ministered, and he was distinguished for his pastoral work among the younger generations of the Greek community, being one of the first Australian-born clergymen of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia
With his beloved Presvytera, Stavroula, whom he married in 1976, they were blessed with five children, who in turn gave them nine grandchildren.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, upon being informed of the passing of Fr. Elias, communicated with his Presvytera and family and conveyed his personal condolences. In a statement regarding the departed clergyman, His Eminence noted: ‘The expectation of the common Resurrection eases, yet does not entirely erase, the pain that is caused, due to our human nature, by the loss of a gifted, diligent, and greatly beloved clergyman, such as Fr. Elias. His departure from this present world leaves an irreplaceable void in our local Church, which he served with a sacrificial spirit and genuine ecclesiastical ethos for nearly half a century. At the same time, it moves the hearts of countless people who were comforted by his gentle words and guided by his spiritual counsel. I pray that God may grant rest to his noble soul in the dwellings of the righteous, and that the example of his life may illumine the path of all those who were blessed to know him. May his memory be eternal.’
The Funeral Service of the late Fr. Elias Kentrotis will be held at the Church of St. Haralambos, Templestowe.
The Service will be presided over by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, who will represent His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
For more information, please contact the offices of the Holy Archdiocese in Melbourne, on (03) 9245 9000.
