The Holy Archdiocese of Australia, with profound emotion and human sorrow, announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Presbyter Nicholas Lilimbakis, who reposed on Saturday, 13 September 2026.
The late clergyman was born in the village of Sitanos, in the Prefecture of Lasithi, Crete, in 1939. He studied for four years at the Ecclesiastical School of Crete in Chania, while in 1964 he migrated to Australia with his wife, Anna, with whom he had three children, Stylianos, Maria and Nektaria.
He entered the priesthood in 1977, being ordained a Deacon at the Church of Saint Eustathios in Melbourne, while the following year he was ordained a Presbyter. Shortly thereafter, he undertook the mission of establishing and organising a new Parish in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, in the area of Thomastown. He worked tirelessly to fulfil this mission and was a driving force behind the construction of the beautiful Church of the Transfiguration of our Lord.
For many years, he served as Parish Priest of the Parish of Thomastown, contributing decisively to its development on many levels. When, for health reasons, he was unable to continue his ministry without interruption, he returned for a period of time to his homeland of Crete, together with Presvytera Anna. After 2012, having returned to Melbourne, he continued to offer his service as an Assistant Priest in various Parishes until, from 2023, due to the further deterioration of his health, he withdrew from active priestly ministry.
Both His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora remained close to Fr Nicholas during the final period of his illness. Indeed, the Archbishop visited him only a few hours before his falling asleep in the Lord. Upon being informed of his repose, His Eminence expressed the condolences of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia to Presvytera Anna, his children and his other relatives.
Referring to the loss of the late Presbyter, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios stated: “Fr Nicholas was a worthy labourer of the Gospel. Serving during difficult times and under adverse circumstances, with very limited means and resources, he succeeded in offering much to our local Church. We shall always remember with gratitude his struggle for the establishment and progress of the Parish of the Transfiguration of our Lord and for the spiritual edification of the faithful, whom he served with love and devotion for many decades. May the Lord grant rest to his soul and may his memory be eternal.”
The Funeral Service for the late Fr Nicholas Lilimbakis will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration of our Lord in Thomastown on Saturday, 19 September, at 10 am. His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora will preside over the Service, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The celebration of the Divine Liturgy will precede the Funeral Service, presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios, commencing at 7 am.
On the eve of the Funeral, Friday, 18 September, at 7 pm, a Trisagion will be held at the same Church, followed by the reading of the Holy Gospel throughout the night. The Church will remain open for those who wish to come and pay their respects to Fr Nicholas.
Following the Funeral Service, the burial will take place at Yan Yean Cemetery.
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