Standing tall and proud, the 12 soldiers of the Hellenic Presidential Guard, and their Lieutenant General, Head of the Military Office of the President of the Hellenic Republic, made history last night as they stood guard at the Epitaph in full ceremonial uniform at the
Greek Orthodox Good Friday service held at St George Church in Adelaide.
It was the first time in history that the Hellenic President has given permission for the Evzones to participate in full uniform at a Holy Friday service and to guard the Epitaph, allowing them to commemorate Jesus’ death together with hundreds of local parishioners.
The members of the presidential guard also escorted the procession of the Epitaph along the streets of Thebarton in a world first.
The Evzones, who arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday afternoon also took part in the Dawn Service at the City of West Torrens Memorial Grounds earlier in the week and marched as part of the traditional ANZAC Day Parade through the streets of Adelaide.
They will also be taking part in midnight mass tonight at St George Church at Thebarton, Prophet Elias at Norwood and The Nativity of Christ at Port Adelaide.
The Hellenic Presidential Guard will also be attending St George Church service on Monday to commemorate Agios Georgios Name Day.
The much anticipated visit which was made possible thanks to the generous support of SA’s local Greek community and has been received with great enthusiasm by the members of the Greek and Australian communities will conclude on May 1.
Up-to-date information regarding the tour will be posted on Facebook.com/HellenicStudies.
Photos: Kathy Rozaklis
Celebrations at Oakleigh were particularly exciting as Evzones arrived for Anzac Day and stayed through to 1 May.
