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Archbishop honours Greek Aussie stalwart Peter Theo

DESCRIBED as a true pioneer of the Greek-Australian community as well as the Bankstown community, the later Peter (Theo) Theophilou OAM has been honoured at a memorial service.

Held at St Euphemia Greek Orthodox Church in Bankstown, it was officiated by the Archbishop of Australia and Primate of the Greek Orthodox Dioceses of Australia, His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios.
Mr Theophilou served as President of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community in Bankstown from 1985 until his passing in 2017.
He assisted St Euphemia Parish in establishing their Greek Orthodox college in 1989 with just 29 students and expanded it to a coeducational K-12 school with over 750 students today.
He was recognised for his community service in 1996 when he was nominated as Bankstown Citizen of the Year, in 1998 when he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia and again in 2001, when he received the Gold Cross of St George.
Members of Mr Theophilou’s family attended the service, which was fittingly officiated by His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios, who attended St Euphemia Church for the first time since being enthroned as Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia in June.
Bankstown MP Tania Mihailuk said: “Mr Theo will be remembered for many years to come. He was involved in extensive fundraising and charitable efforts over decades.”