Byzantine Music School of Australia

St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College was delighted to be represented at the inaugural St Sarapion Society of Liturgy Conference, Rite and Revelation: Essays in Liturgical History and Theology, held in Melbourne on 13 June 2026. The College was represented Dr Andrew Mellas, who joined scholars, clergy, and students from across Australia to explore the historical, theological and spiritual dimensions of Christian worship. The conference is part of an exciting new initiative dedicated to advancing liturgical scholarship and dialogue across Christian traditions. Also present at the conference was His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and His Grace Bishop Chrysostomos of Bukoba and West Tanzania.
The evening before, at the invitation of His Grace Bishop Kyriakos, Dr Mellas delivered a public lecture for the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne: Holy Tears and Heavenly Joy: The Liturgy of the Heart. Drawing on the hymns of St Romanos the Melodist and the wider Byzantine tradition, Dr Mellas explored how liturgy forms and transforms the human heart through a journey from sorrow to Paschal joy.
The College thanks His Grace and the conference organisers for their hospitality and for fostering deeper engagement with the liturgical heritage of the Church.

Come join us for the Byzantine Month at Kogarah!

🎶 BYZANTINE MONTH EVENT 🎶

Join us for an insightful evening exploring the rich symbolism and meaning behind the sacred tradition of Byzantine Chant.

📖 Symbolism in Byzantine Chant

With Dimitri Koubaroulis, Director of Melisma Ensemble

The traditional music of the Orthodox Church is full of symbolism and meaning. From the essence of chanting itself, to chanter dress, musical scales, notation, hymns, chanting practices and much more — every aspect carries a deeper spiritual significance within the life of the Church.

Have you ever wondered:
• What does the word psaltis (chanter) actually mean?
• Why do chanters traditionally wear black?
• Why are certain hymns chanted in different scales?
• What do the seemingly nonsensical syllables during chanting mean?
Bring your own questions too, as we come together to demystify these beautiful traditions and deepen our understanding of Byzantine chant.

📅 Thursday, May 14
🕢 7:30pm
📍 Hermes Lounge (next to the Church)
🍽 Light dinner provided

The event is presented in conjunction with SOFIA USYD.

We are delighted to announce the return of Byzantine Month for 2026 — now in its 4th year!
Held under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, this annual series has become a cherished opportunity to explore the rich spiritual, artistic, and intellectual heritage of Byzantium. Each year, we bring together leading scholars and voices to share insights into the enduring legacy of the Byzantine world and its relevance today.
This year’s program features a diverse range of thought-provoking talks — from philosophy and chant, to history and art — culminating in a special Byzantine Banquet. Whether you are passionate about theology, history, music, or simply curious to learn more, there is something for everyone.
We are especially grateful for the continued support and collaboration of Dr Andrew Mellas, Senior Lecturer at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping this series.
Join us each week as we journey through the beauty and depth of Byzantine tradition together.
📍 Hermes Lounge
🕢 7:30pm each session
We look forward to welcoming you!

The hymns of Holy Saturday guide us through the twilight of the interlude between the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

The beautiful hymns of the Descent from the Cross reveal to us the mystery of God’s love for all creation.

A wonderful reflection on the Akathist Hymn 📜

During Great Lent, the Orthodox Church invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. In this beautiful reflection from St Andrew’s Theological College, we see how the sixth-century hymnographer, St Romanos the Melodist, brought the sacred drama of the Cross to life through poetry and song, drawing believers into the story of salvation with powerful imagery and prayerful emotion: https://sagotc.edu.au/blog/st-romanos-melodists-hymns-passion-christ

A beautiful Lenten reflection from one of the great Melodists of Byzantium!

By fasting as by a sword all the demons are routed, because they cannot bear nor do they have strength against its delight. They love pleasure-seekers and drunkards; but if they see the face of fasting, they cannot hold their ground, but flee far away, as Christ our God teaches us when he says, “The race of demons is vanquished by fasting and prayer” [Mt. 17:21; Mk. 9:29]. And so, we have been taught that fasting gives people eternal life.

—St. Romanos the Melodist, from On Fasting, a kontakion of compunction for Wednesday of the second week of Lent (translated by Andrew Mellas in Hymns of Repentance)

➡️ Sign up to receive Great Lent Meditations and the daily Scripture readings in your inbox each morning: https://buff.ly/NA4CHSW

BMSA 2026 Enrolments – Victorian Campuses are now open!

To enrol and receive further information (including campus options, timetables, and commencement details), please complete the form below:

https://forms.gle/BZyKqmKpJsDTqK4c8

Please note: this enrolment form is for Victoria only.

End-of-year event of the Byzantine Music School of Australia in Melbourne, marking six years of service with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne addressed teachers and students, highlighting the spiritual responsibility of chanting and the importance of sacred music in the life of our Church.

The event was hosted at St Catherine’s Church, Malvern, with the presence and blessings of His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora.