NEW BEGINNINGS: Father Denis Sotiriadis is set to replace Father David Price at Horsham Anglican Church. PICTURE: SAMANTHA CAMARRI.
ANGLICAN priest Father Denis Sotiriadis has returned to the Wimmera to take up a post at Horsham Anglican Church.
Fr Sotiriadis was stationed at Nhill between 2002 and 2006 before moving to Portland.
He said the Horsham community had given him a friendly welcome after leading his first mass on Wednesday.
"I was stationed at Nhill for almost five years so Wimmera people didn't manage to scare me away," he said.
"A lot of priests don't like to leave Melbourne or the cities but I do not understand why."
Fr Sotiriadis said he was drawn to becoming a priest 12 years ago when he was a fitter and turner.
"I like helping people in their time of need and we become part of the community, be it through funerals, baptisms or weddings," he said.
"You feel a sense of fulfilment and it is all about making connections.
"We have this calling and we just love what we do."
Fr Sotiriadis said he would replace Fr David Price, who had been at the Horsham parish for about four years.
He said he was settling back into Wimmera life with his wife Leanne and daughter Mikayla.
"I would like to thank Fr Price for welcoming me and showing me around because it has made my transition and my wife's transition a lot easier," he said.
Fr Price does not know when or where he will be transferred.