The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has launched an “internal investigation” into Archimandrite John Christodoulos from South Australia after a report by The Advertiser was released today alleging the priest led a sordid double life.

According to The Advertiser, Father John allegedly obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from devout elderly parishioners, while flouting church teachings by regularly meeting other men at night via gay dating and chat app, Grindr.

In response to questions from The Advertiser, a spokesman for Archbishop Makarios of Australia said the “Archdiocese is not aware of the allegations you make in your email” but “the Archdiocese will be conducting its own internal investigation…”

“The investigation will be confidential,” the spokesman added in the response.

Father Christodoulos was disciplined by the church in Greece before arriving in Australia in 2011, The Advertiser has reported.

Since 2020, Father Christodoulos was parish priest at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrew Noarlunga. He was subsequently made Archimandrite, the second highest position in the church in SA. Recently, he was promoted and left Adelaide on Tuesday for a parish at Fawkner in Melbourne.

Father Christodoulos has not responded to the allegations.

source thegreekherald.com