The Greek Orthodox Church has charged exorbitant rent from its aged care homes, making millions while residents suffer. 

The taxpayer-funded aged care homes have funnelled up to $31 million into the coffers of one of Australia's largest churches in recent years.

This includes the St Basil's Home for the Aged in Melbourne, where 45 residents died in Australia's deadliest COVID outbreak.

St Basil's has paid over $22 million in rent and fees to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the past eight years, while also receiving federal government funding.

Real estate experts have told reporters that this was double the rental market rate.

But the church has some major expenses, including buying a $6.5 million Sydney apartment with harbour views for its Archbishop. Insiders claim he moved in after a $3 million refurbishment was completed. 

Archbishop Makarios has overseen the church's schools, parishes and aged care homes, since he arrived on Australia's shores in the middle of 2019.

Some church members have noted his lifestyle does not match what one might expect for a person who has taken a vow of poverty.

The Archbishop is driven around in a black Holden Caprice with tinted windows and a personalised number plate: ARCHBM.

He wears ceremonial gowns allegedly embroidered with gold thread, reported to cost up to $30,000 each.

The Archdiocese owns 15 aged care homes across Australia, passing money directly back to the church while often posting operating losses.

“One thing that pops out immediately on the St Basil's filings is the amount of rent paid to the church,” says Jason Ward, an aged care expert from the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research. 

“There are other operating expenses which are never explained or classified. What is disclosed is that a portion of that is fees to the Greek Orthodox Church.

“Taxpayers' money, which is intended to provide care for elderly Australians, is subsidising the church.”

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