This year marks fifty years of God-pleasing and sacrificial ministry offered by the priestly couple, Fr Steven and Presvytera Patricia Scoutas, to the Parish of Saint Spyridon in the suburb of Kingsford, Sydney. The most fitting occasion to express gratitude for their service arose during the Parish’s Feast Day celebrations, which culminated on Friday, 12 December, with the celebration of a Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Concelebrating with the Archbishop were Their Graces, Bishop Elpidios of Perth and Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra, as well as Their Graces Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint George in Yellow Rock, and Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese. At the Archbishop’s request, Bishop Elpidios preached the homily.
At the conclusion of the Feast Day Divine Liturgy, in an atmosphere filled with emotion, the Archbishop invited to his side the Parish Priest of Saint Spyridon, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr Steven, together with his Presvytera, Patricia. To them he bestowed the highest honour of the Holy Archdiocese: the Medal of the Order of the Christ-loving. “It is the least we can do,” His Eminence remarked, offering words of gratitude for their long and invaluable service to the Kingsford Parish and, more broadly, to the local Church of Australia.
In his introductory remarks, Archbishop Makarios commemorated Fr Steven’s predecessor and the founding priest of the Parish, the late Fr Elias Economou, who fell asleep in the Lord in 1975. He spoke of him as a deeply blessed clergyman and expressed his certainty that his soul rests among the Saints and the Righteous.
Referring to Fr Elias’ successor, Fr Steven, the Archbishop acknowledged the many labours he has undertaken and the unwavering dedication he has shown throughout fifty years of ministry at Saint Spyridon’s. He also emphasised the crucial contribution of Presvytera Patricia to the God-pleasing progress and flourishing of the Parish. Finally, he wished both of them many more blessed years, encouraging them to continue working with love for the glory of Christ and His Church.
Responding, Fr Steven thanked His Eminence for the honour bestowed upon him, but above all for his sincere love and continual support. “He has embraced me from the first day he arrived in Australia,” he said with visible emotion, recalling the Archbishop’s practical concern for him during a recent health trial.
Fr Steven also spoke from the heart of the decisive support he has received from Presvytera Patricia throughout his long service at Saint Spyridon’s. “Without my Presvytera, I would not have remained in this Parish for very long,” he stated, describing how blessed he has been to have as his companion a woman endowed with many virtues; diligence, prudence, wisdom, patience, and dignity.
After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the priestly couple, who have stood as the “pillars” of the Kingsford Parish for half a century, received warm congratulations from the attending bishops, clergy, and faithful. Among them were the Parish President, Mr Elia Economou, and students of Saint Spyridon College.
