The annual Ensomatosi celebrations by the DFA (Dodecanesian Federation of Australia) were held on Sunday 8 March at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin in Northcote, Melbourne.
Following the service, a wreath in memory of fallen soldiers was layed by Dimitrios Michalopoulos, the Greek Consular General in the Church’s memorial area. After the formalities, 100 guests and dignitaries sat for a celebratory lunch.
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Ensomatosi recalls the unification of the Dodecanese Islands to Greece in 1947. The islands had been conquered by the Ottomans in 1552. In 1912, following the Italo-Turkish war of 1912 the islands came under Italian rule. After the Second World War, the island group became a British military protectorship and the islands were finally united with Greece in 1947 ending 740 years of foreign rule.
Also in Melbourne, the community celebrated Ensomatosi at St Panteilimon Greek Orthodox Church in Dandenong. Wreaths were laid by the deputy president of the community Niko Vronthou, the president of Ladies Auxilliary Evgenia Tzima, the president of the seniors’ club, Ioannis Doko, the vice-president of the Association of Sienna (Rhodes), Katerina Milara, and pupils of the Greek school.
