The newly elected Premier of Queensland, the Hon Campbell Newman, attended the midnight Easter Saturday Service at the Greek Orhtodox Church of St George, South Brisbane.
Alongside his wife, they were joined by the Honorary Consul of Greece in Queensland Jim Raptis, the State Treasurer, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP, and the Speaker of the newly elected Queensland Parliament, the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP.
The Premier, Treasurer, and Parliamentary Speaker were greeted by Mr Raptis and the Vicar-General for Queensland of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Rev. Father Dimitri Tsakas.
After delivering the Archbishop’s Paschal encyclical, Father Dimitri welcomed the Premier, Treasurer and the Speaker, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos. Father Dimitri wished the new Queensland government, wisdom from above and every Godly blessing for its mandated leadership of the State.
The Premier came forward to receive the Holy Flame at midnight and along with the other dignitaries joined the Clergy for the proclamation of the Resurrection outside the Church.
This occasion provided the first opportunity for Mr Newman to meet the Greek Orthodox people of Brisbane as Premier.