{"id":31831,"date":"2021-04-20T18:07:26","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T06:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propertynoise.co.nz\/au\/?p=31831"},"modified":"2021-04-20T18:07:26","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T06:07:26","slug":"greek-orthodox-church-took-tens-of-millions-in-rent-from-aged-care-home-at-centre-of-deadliest-covid-outbreak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propertynoise.co.nz\/au\/greek-orthodox-church-took-tens-of-millions-in-rent-from-aged-care-home-at-centre-of-deadliest-covid-outbreak\/","title":{"rendered":"Greek Orthodox Church took tens of millions in rent from aged care home at centre of deadliest COVID outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOTO: An ABC investigation has found a group of taxpayer-funded aged care homes funnelled $31 million back into the coffers of one of Australia’s largest churches.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A group of taxpayer-funded aged care homes funnelled $31 million back into the coffers of one of Australia’s largest churches,\u00a0an ABC investigation has found.<\/p>\n

The homes\u00a0include St Basil’s in Melbourne, where 45 residents died in Australia’s deadliest COVID outbreak.<\/p>\n

In the past eight years, St Basil’s paid more than $22\u00a0million in rent and fees to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese while receiving federal government funding.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0commercial real estate agent told Background Briefing this was double the rental market rate.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of that period, the church was funding\u00a0the lavish lifestyle of its newly appointed Archbishop, including the purchase of a $6.5 million Sydney apartment with harbour views.<\/p>\n

A vow of poverty<\/h2>\n
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\"Archbishop<\/div>\n<\/div>
Greek Orthodox leader Archbishop Makarios was thronged with fans at his enthronement in 2019.\u00a0(<\/cite>AAP: Dylan Coker)<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Archbishop Makarios, who oversees\u00a0the church’s schools, parishes and aged care homes,\u00a0arrived on Australia’s shores in the middle of 2019 to much fanfare.<\/p>\n

He was swamped by thousands at his enthronement in Sydney and photographed meeting the Prime Minister along with other political and business leaders.<\/p>\n

“Until the end of my life, I belong to Australia,” he declared, choking back tears.<\/p>\n

But as he toured the country in his first months in charge, some in the church noted his lifestyle seemed excessive for a man who had taken a vow of poverty.<\/p>\n

READ MORE VIA ABC<\/a><\/p>\n

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