Tag: history

Help Restore the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas

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Help Save St Nicholas Monastery Athani Lefkada

A Worthy Cause for Lefkadians Everywhere

The Lefkadian Brotherhood is proud to launch a special fundraising appeal to help restore the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Athani, on the sacred Nira peninsula of Lefkada. The monastery dates back to the 17th century and remains an important part of Lefkada’s religious and cultural heritage.

🔷 Donate Now – Make a Difference

Our Goal: $10,000

We are seeking to raise $10,000 toward restorations.

To encourage generous support, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of every contribution.

Why Your Support Matters

This monastery is now run by nuns, and your support will help preserve a place of prayer, history, and spiritual significance.

The monastery has stood for centuries and continues to serve the faithful. It deserves our collective support to ensure it remains for future generations.

Preserving a Sacred Part of Lefkada’s Heritage

The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas is not only a place of worship, but a living link to Lefkada’s history and identity. Established in the 17th century by local families, the monastery has stood for centuries as a place of prayer, refuge, and community. Throughout its history, it has even served as a place of seclusion and exile for clergy, reflecting its remote and peaceful location.

Over time, the monastery has undergone periods of restoration and renewal, particularly in the 19th century, yet it has always retained its traditional character and spiritual significance.

Within its walls are treasures of Orthodox heritage, including historic icons—some dating back to the 1600s, among the oldest on the island—connecting generations of Lefkadians to their faith and traditions.

Today, the monastery continues its spiritual mission, offering a place of prayer, reflection, and pilgrimage. However, like many historic buildings, it now requires essential works and upgrades—including roof repairs, museum upgrade, visitor facilities updated including restrooms, and general building renovations and upkeep—to ensure it remains functional, safe, and welcoming for all who visit.

Leave a Lasting Legacy

By contributing to this project, you become part of the monastery’s continuing story.

A Community Effort

This appeal is an opportunity for Lefkadians around the world to come together and give back to a place that represents our shared heritage.

Your donation will:

  • Help preserve a centuries-old monastery
  • Support the nuns who maintain and care for it
  • Protect an important site of Orthodox faith and Lefkadian history
  • Ensure future generations can visit, worship, and connect

Together We Can Achieve This

With a target of $10,000, and dollar-for-dollar matching, every contribution has twice the impact.

We encourage all members, families, and friends of Lefkada to support this important cause.

Visit the Monastery

We encourage all members to visit the monastery when in Lefkada. Located in Athani, near Lefkata, it is both a spiritual sanctuary and a historic landmark.

Donor Recognition

A commemorative plaque in the name of the Lefkadian Brotherhood will be installed at the monastery in recognition of this fundraising effort and the generosity of donors, creating a lasting tribute to our community’s commitment to preserving Lefkada’s spiritual heritage.

Fundraising Events

The Lefkadian Brotherhood will host fundraising events throughout the year.

We invite all Lefkadians and friends to participate and support this worthy cause.

Please Donate Generously

DONATE HERE

Every donation—large or small—brings us closer to restoring and preserving this sacred monastery.

Together, we can protect a treasured part of Lefkada’s heritage.

Greek Dancing @ the Lefkadian

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Greek dancing @ the Lefkadian

Keep the Tradition Alive – One Step at a Time

The Lefkadian Brotherhood proudly invites members of our community to take part in traditional Greek dancing classes, held weekly at Lefkada House in Coburg.

Greek dance is at the heart of our culture — it brings together history, music, movement and community. Whether you are reconnecting with your heritage or learning for the first time, these classes offer a welcoming and supportive environment to learn, practise and celebrate Greek tradition.

Greekness (Ελληνικότητα) – More Than Dance

For Lefkadians, Greekness is not just something we inherit — it is something we live. It is found in our music, our language, our movement, and in the way generations come together to share stories, values and tradition.

Greek dancing is one of the most powerful expressions of that identity. Each step carries history, each rhythm reflects place, and each dance connects us back to family, island and community. Through dance, we learn who we are, where we come from, and how to carry that heritage forward with pride.

At the Lefkadian Brotherhood, Greekness is inclusive, living and evolving. These classes are not about perfection — they are about connection: to culture, to one another, and to a shared sense of belonging.

Whether you grew up dancing at family celebrations or are discovering Greek culture for the first time, you are welcome here.

Weekly Dance Classes – Every Tuesday

📍 Location: Lefkada House
124 Bell Street, Coburg
🗓 Day: Every Tuesday
🕢 Time:

  • 7:30 pm – Traditional Greek Dancing with Calista Mitsas
  • 8:30 pm – Zeimbekiko with George Zampelis

👥 Ages: 15 – 35
💃 Cost: Free classes

Classes are relaxed, inclusive and suitable for all levels — from beginners through to experienced dancers.

Learn Traditional Greek Dance & Zeimbekiko

Participants will be introduced to:

  • Traditional Greek group dances
  • Rhythm, timing and cultural context
  • Zeimbekiko, a powerful and expressive solo dance form

The program focuses not only on steps, but on understanding the meaning and spirit behind the dances.

Lefkadian Youth – Get Involved

These classes form part of the Lefkadian Youth initiative, supporting young people to connect with their culture, build friendships and stay actively involved in the Brotherhood.

Follow @lefkadianyouth for updates, events and announcements.

Registration & Enquiries

To register or find out more:

📞 Call Calista: 0426 853 690

Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Start Date

🗓 Classes commence: Tuesday, 24 March

Join Us

Come along, bring a friend, and be part of a living tradition.
Whether you dance for heritage, fitness, or connection — you are welcome at the Lefkadian Brotherhood.

Greek dancing @ the Lefkadian