Following two years of Easter celebrations overshadowed by the pandemic and largely restricted services, Anastasi in 2022 was welcomed with a sigh of relief by Greeks in Australia.

Church bells ring when the clock hits midhnight on Saturday for ‘Christ is Risen’. Photo: Kostas Deves.
Parishioners enjoying the first Easter with minimal restrictions following the two pandemic years. Photo: Kostas Deves.

Tens of thousands are estimated to have joined services throughout the Holy week. Church attendance in Melbourne, Sydney, other metropolitan cities and the regions peaked during Good Friday lamentations.

Bigger crowds at church this year are also attributed to the presence of Evzones. Photo: Kostas Deves.

The Epitaphio, was a good gauge for crowd turnouts. You wouldn’t need to idenitify as Orthodox Christian or be Greek to notice how packed streets outside Greek churches were for the Epitaphio procession.

At Sts Anargyri church in Oakleigh, beyond the Melbourne Greek hub’s local parishioners, the Friday service attracted faithful from across Melbourne due to the presence of the Evzones.

The Evzones attended the Saturday night mass at South Melbourne’s St Efstathios. Photo: Kostas Deves.

Members of the Greek Presidential Guard attended the service which was officiated by Archbishop Makarios, assisted by His Grace Bishop of Sozopoleos Kyriakos and His Grace Bishop of Kerasounta Evmenios.

On the night of Easter Saturday, the Presidential Guard attended church services at St Eustathios Cathedral in South Melbourne, as well as at the Greek Orthodox Parish of Thomastown – the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

Members of the Greek Presidential Guard joined in Australia’s Orthodox Easter celebrations this year, here at St Eustathios Cathedral in South Melbourne. Photo :Kostas Deves.
At South Melbourne’s St Efsthathios church. Photo: Kostas Deves.

And for Easter Sunday, they were expected to participate in services held at the Holy Monastery of “Axion Esti” in Northcote.

The Evzones also attended the Epitaphio Good Friday service in Oakleigh’s St Anargyroi presided by Arcchbishop Makarios.
Crowds outside South Melbourne’s St Eustathios Cathedral.. Photo: Kostas Deves.

With a federal election campaign in full swing, Australian politicians have also joined in services during the week, including Treasrurer Josh Frydenberg who attended the Saturday night mass in North Balwyn.

Kalo Pascha to our wonderful Greek community!

Together with thousands of people, it was special to be a part of an Easter service at The Presentation Of Our Lady To The Temple Greek Orthodox Parish in North Balwyn. pic.twitter.com/RhbEQqIlux

— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) April 23, 2022

But the spotlight was arguably in Sydney for the Anastasi service at Kogarah Greek Orthodox Church presided by the Archbishop, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in attendance accompanied by his wife Jenny.

Mr Morrison is said to have impressed the congregation delivering the hymn ‘Christos Anesti ek nekron thanato thanaton patisas, kai tis en tis mnimasi zoin harisamenos’ in Greek, a moment met by cheers from some in the crowd.

Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Jenny Morrison, Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Photo: Mark Petropoulos.

Among dignitaries in attendance at the Sydney service were the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Dr Lina Medoni, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras and MPs joining Mr Morrison, Assistant Minister David Coleman and Labor Member for Barton Linda Burney.