Fundraising Gala
A memorable evening of celebration and fundraising was held on Saturday, 25th July 2026, St Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church, hosting their first Fundraising Gala.
By the grace of God, with the paternal blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, the parish acquired the neighbouring properties, 20-22 Balmoral Avenue and 24-30 Plunkett Road, Dandenong. This large acquisition totalling approximately 4,170 square metres was secured for $4.5 million, with settlement finalised on the 8th July 2026.
Inspired by the words of St Paul, ‘As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation’ (1 Corinthians 3:10), “Project Master Builder” was launched with a vision to strengthen and lay the foundations for the future of our parish community.
The Fundraising Gala, dedicated to supporting the repayment of the investment was blessed. The night brought together parishioners, friends and families for an evening filled with joy, entertainment and purpose. Guests were welcomed with champagne and canapés on arrival before enjoying Levant’s newly presented four-course Mediterranean menu.
The evening featured an outstanding entertainment program. Starting with comedian Anthony Salame, who delivered a comedy set that had the audience laughing from start to finish. The entertainment continued with live performances by Sawa Music Band and singer Georges Elmir, who kept guests entertained throughout the evening.
A special note of gratitude is extended to our Diamond, Platinum and Gold Sponsors, whose generosity, partnership and support in the vision of “Project Master Builder” played an important role in making the evening possible. Their support not only helped ensure the success of the Gala but also to the future growth of our parish. We are grateful for their generosity and commitment, which will help shape the future of St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church for years to come.
A memorable evening of celebration and fundraising was held on Saturday, 25th July 2026, St Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church, hosting their first Fundraising Gala.
On Friday, 17 July, the St Paul's Ladies Committee hosted a fantastic Bowling and Karaoke Night, welcoming around 50 ladies aged 18 and over for an evening of fun, fellowship and community.
Our latest Friday Kick Back brought out everyone's inner chef with a My Kitchen Rules challenge! Teams went head-to-head creating their best Mexican-inspired dishes, serving up everything from great food to creative presentations.
On Saturday, 20 June 2026, the youth from St Nicholas and St Paul’s came together for a special day retreat at Panagia Gorgoepikoos Monastery in Geelong. The day was centred around the theme of Discipleship, helping us learn what it means to follow Christ and live as His disciples in our daily lives.
On Friday, 1 May 2026, St Paul’s Youth and FKB hosted the Orthodox Icon Workshop, presented by Rev. Fr. Leonidas Ioannou from the Presentation of Our Lord in Coburg. The evening brought together around 70 young people for a spiritually edifying and educational demonstration of Orthodox iconography.
On the 13th of March, 2026, Saint Paul’s Youth Committee presented a Friday Night Kickback (FKB) Prosphoro Making Workshop. Youth aged 11-15 came together at under the guidance of Vanessa Tomah, to learn the sacred process of making Prosphoro.
Family, love, connection and community is what makes a church! Games, food, dancing and laughter is what the ladies of Saint Paul incorporated into a Sharfouna night to welcome ladies to the parish and provide them with the opportunity to build this sense of faith, love, connection and community!
Following yesterday's Divine Liturgy, our Sunday School students and teachers received a blessing from Fr Jean to commemorate the beginning of the new year. We're very blessed to have over 80 children registered!
Striving to express the interconnectedness and multiculturalism of the parishioners of our church, Saint Paul’s Youth picked Australia Day to host a barbecue filled with faith, fun and festivity. Parishioners of all cultures gathered together at Cardinia Reservoir Park for food and fellowship, enjoying each other’s company and blessings of the outdoors!
On Saturday the 13th of December 2025, St Paul’s Youth hosted the Amazing Race: CBD Edition, bringing together around 30 young people for a fun-filled and adventurous day in Melbourne’s city centre. The event kicked off at 10:00am at Federation Square, where participants were briefed and divided into four teams, ready to take on the challenge ahead.
On Friday, 12 December, St Paul’s Dandenong hosted a warm and festive FKB event that brought our youth together in the spirit of Christmas. The evening began at 7:00 pm with a peaceful small Compline service inside the church.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” - Philippians 2:3-4
On Saturday 8th of November members of St Paul’s Youth and St Mary’s Youth came together for a joint event at the 1000 Steps in the Dandenong Ranges. Despite the rainy weather, spirits were high, and the walk went ahead as planned at 11am.
On Monday, 3rd November, the Levant Function Centre came alive with colour, music, and joy as our ladies gathered for our final event of the year — the Arabian Nights Ladies Party 2025.
On the 5th Sunday of Luke, the parish of St Paul’s held its AGM and elections for the new Parish Council. The gospel of the day as proclaimed by Fr Jean, was the teaching of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the poor man who lay at his gate.
The 2025 season was a significant one for St Paul’s Football Club, highlighted by the introduction of our inaugural women’s team.
The ladies of St Paul’s hosted a spiritual day retreat dedicated to a ‘Day in the life of the Theotokos.’ The day was attended by 55 participants who shared in a variety of experiences throughout the day dedicated to the life and themes of the Theotokos.
On Thursday, 5th September at 7:00pm, the youth of St Paul’s Antiochian Church gathered for a special evening of fellowship and reflection.
The Liturgical New Year marked the completion date of the latest group of catechumens for 2025 at the Parish of the Holy Apostle Paul in Dandenong, Victoria. Of the 16 catechumens in the class, 10 were awarded a certificate of completion for not only having attended the 20-week course, but also for assimilating themselves into the liturgical, social, and active life of the Church.
A joyful day at St Emilia’s Playgroup as we celebrated Grandparents Day and the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne — the grandparents of Jesus.
After weeks and weeks of careful planning and preparation, over 180 people gathered together at St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church to participate in their annual family trivia night! This event is always a major highlight of the church's calendar, full of joy, laughter, friendly competition and time well spent in good company—and this year was no exception.
On Monday the of the Holy Spirit, 85 parishioners gathered together as one family for Saint Paul’s spiritual day retreat, themed ‘Through the Eyes of the Saints’.
Today we explored music and chanting at St. Emilia’s Playgroup! The children had fun experimenting with instruments and learning about loud and soft sounds.
On Monday, St Emilia’s Playgroup gathered for the month of May. After a long break due to school holidays and Easter, it was wonderful to see all the children again.
The Ladies Committee of St Paul’s hosted a beautiful monastery trip to Panagia Kamariani, on Saturday the 29th of March.
The St Paul’s church community recently gathered for a wonderful Family Night, bringing together 110 people for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship. The evening started in prayer with all our families attending our weekly Vespers service.
In a spirit of faithful fraternity, the Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts was celebrated on the 19th of March. Presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, co-celebrated with the revered fathers and his first service after his ordination Fr Dn Elian Haddad.
On 14 March 2025 St Paul's FKB made candles out of bees wax and enjoyed dinner together. On the same evening, St Paul's Youth held a bonfire and watched the Russian film 'The Island'.
On the evening of Friday, 7th February, the over-16s youth hosted a talk on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, offering an enriching experience for all attendees. Hosted by Khouria Rita and Abouna Jean, the night provided a deep and thought-provoking discussion on gender roles through the lens of Orthodox Christian teachings. Whilst the over-16s dived into their talk, the under-16s had the pleasure of being accompanied by Fr. Leonidas to discuss iconography, its roots and its significance in the faith.