Tag: Lefkada

Help Restore the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas

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

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

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 pmZeimbekiko 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

What’s On in 2026: Lefkadian Brotherhood Highlights

Welcome to 2026

We are pleased to share an exciting and varied calendar of events for the year ahead, designed to appeal to members of all ages and interests.

Celebrating Lafcadio Hearn – October 2026

A major highlight for the year will be a significant celebration of the life and works of Lafcadio Hearn, delivered through a series of educational and cultural events in October 2026. These events will be presented in collaboration with the Consulate General of Japan, and we are honoured to be hosting Lafcadio Hearn’s grandson, who will travel to Melbourne specifically to attend these functions. Further details will be announced in due course.

Who Is Lafcadio Hearn — and Why Does He Matter?

Born in Lefkada, Lafcadio Hearn went on to become one of the most famous writers in the world by the time of his death in 1904, the author of twenty‑nine books spanning folklore, travel, journalism and literature. His own life story was as remarkable as his writing — shaped by migration, hardship and reinvention — taking him from Lefkada to Europe, the United States, the Caribbean and finally Japan, where he became known as Koizumi Yakumo and is honoured to this day. For Lefkadians, Hearn’s life reflects our own story of resilience, curiosity and connection to the wider world. This October, the Lefkadian Brotherhood will honour his legacy through a special series of events celebrating a Lefkadian whose influence reached far beyond our shores.

Launch of the Lefkadian Youth Organisation

One of the most exciting developments entering 2026 is the official establishment of the Lefkadian Youth Organisation. This initiative is driven by a dynamic group of young Lefkadians eager to connect with their heritage through social, cultural, and community‑focused events tailored to those aged 18–35.

We encourage all members to support this initiative and to follow the Lefkadian Youth Instagram page @lefkadianyouth for regular updates.

Supporting Greek Youth & Education

As part of our commitment to youth engagement, the Lefkadian Brotherhood is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the Melbourne University Greek Association Ball, taking place on 17 April 2026.
The Melbourne University Greek Association was the first Greek university association established in Australia, founded in the early 1960s. Today, three proud Lefkadians serve on its committee, including two Co‑Presidents.

International Women’s Day Fundraiser

Our International Women’s Day Luncheon was also held as a fundraising event, with proceeds supporting essential upgrade works at the Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Athani. We thank all those who attended and contributed to this important cause.


Calendar of Events – 2026

Monthly Family Lunch

When: First Sunday of every month
Cost: $30 per person
Bookings:
Due to overwhelming demand, bookings are available to members only and must be confirmed by the Wednesday prior to each event.
📞 Alex: 0409 531 089


28 March – Tavern Night (SOLD OUT)

Live music by Rythmos Band at Lefkada House
Cost: $75 adults | $50 children under 12
Includes food, beer, wine and soft drinks
📞 Tina: 0400 178 884


3 May – Mother’s Day Lunch

Venue: Lefkada House
Bookings essential – please contact a committee member.


17 May – Private Screening of Kapodistrias

Venue: Palace Cinemas Coburg
An advance screening of Kapodistrias – The Governor.
🎟️ Bookings are online only.


23 May – Eptanesian Function

Details to be advised.


1 June – Doxologia for Panagia Faneromeni

Location: Parish of the Presentation of Our Lord
23–29 Victoria Street, Coburg
Followed by light refreshments at Lefkada House.
Free entry


20 June – Lefkadian Comedy Night

Venue: Lefkada House
Cost: $50 per person (includes finger food)
Drinks available at bar prices.


October – Lafcadio Hearn Commemorative Events

A series of events honouring the life and legacy of Lafcadio Hearn.
Details to be announced.


Memberships

Annual membership fees of $20 are now due.

Payment options:

  • Direct Debit (EFT)
  • Credit Card
  • In person at any Brotherhood function

EFT Details:
BSB: 013 381
Account Number: 301 244 121

Please email EFT payment details to the Secretary:
📧 George Konidaris – george.konidaris.lb@gmail.com
(include your name and payment amount)

For credit card payments, please follow this link

New membership forms are available online or at any event.


Volunteers

We warmly welcome volunteers for our events and activities. If you are able to assist or contribute a particular skill or service, please contact a committee member.


Hall Hire

Available to members only.
If you are looking for a modern and well‑equipped function venue, please contact us. Full details are available on our website.


Stay Connected

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with all announcements and events:

We thank all our volunteers, patrons, and supporters. With your continued involvement, the Lefkadian Brotherhood will continue to grow and flourish.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Lefkadian Brotherhood Committee