‘The essence of being Greek’ celebrated by the Dodecanesians of Melbourne

The official attendees and representatives of the Associations at the laying of wreaths at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, at Axion Esti, in Northcote, where the Memorial Service was also conducted by Father Philip. Photos: Supplied

6 March 2024 5:00pm

Instagram

The Dodecanesians of Melbourne commemorated the 76th anniversary of Ensomatosi on Sunday March 3, recognising the important date of March 7,1948 wherein the Dodecanese islands officially became part of Greece’s territory after centuries of foreign rule.

The events organised by the Dodecanesian Federation of Australia (DFA) began with a church service at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin in Northcote.

This was followed by a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the “Unknown Soldier”, which was blessed by Father Philipas, in honour of the ancestors who fought for centuries for the Dodecanese islands to reunify with Greece.

Following this service was an official reception lunch at the KOS Club which featured speeches from notable attendees.

The president of the Dodecanese Federation of Australia and the Koaiki Brotherhood, Mrs. Kyriaki Sourasi, with Mr. Georgios Verginis to her right, a member of the Kastellorizian Association, and Ms. Yiota Stavridou, representative of Neos Kosmos. Photo: Supplied

The chief speaker was the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis, who remarked on the struggles shown by the Dodecanesians to protect their Hellenic identity and culture despite centuries of foreign rule.

He added their significance in the Second World War which was a terrible conflict that eventually led to the reunification of the islands into Greece.

The president of the Dodecanese Federation, Mrs. Kyriaki (Kerry) Sourasi, addressing the attendees. Photo: Supplied

“The Dodecanese were one of the reasons why the Greek entered World War II on the side of the Allies, and which they were then ceded following the victory over the Axis powers that saw 11% of Greece’s population,” Mr Kakavelakis said.

“Therefore, the Dodecanese were liberated with sacrifices and blood, and not painlessly.”

The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanouel Kakavelakis, was the keynote speaker at the event. Photo: Supplied

He also stressed the role the church played in preserving our language and culture, the bravery shown by those who continued to teach the Greek children in the secret schools and the ultimate sacrifice of life for the freedom to be known as Greek.

Further insight and inspiration were provided in speeches by Ms Anthea Sidiropoulos, Vice President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Mr Emanuel Karvelas from the Hellenic RSL, Ms Yiota Stavridou of Neos Kosmos and Ms Simela Stamatopoulou of the Pontian Federation of Australia.

Anthea Sidiropoulos, one of the vice-presidents of the Greek Community of Melbourne, who also conveyed the greetings of the president of the organization, Bill Papastergiadis. Photo: Supplied

The day concluded with the day ended with traditional dances from the Christos Konstandinidis dance group.

These official events saw numerous attendees in addition to those listed above, including Ms Kerry Sourasis (DFA President), Mr Yiannis Pylalides, (Vice President of the Australian Federation of Pontian Associations, Mr Thanasis Baoustanos from the Hellenic RSL, as well as representatives of the Associations of Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo and Leros.