Melburnians honoured Greek National Day yesterday on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 24 march with a Memorial Service held for the Heroes of 1821 and a Doxology for our National Anniversary, officiated by Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis, assisted by Father Cyril Zisis, at the Holy Church of Saint Eustathius, South Melbourne.
At noon on the same day, a wreath-laying Ceremony took place at the Monument of the Fallen, in the presence of our religious, diplomatic, and political authorities, and community organisations.
Earlier today, at 8.30am, the official ceremony of the Raising of the Greek Flag took place at Federation Square in Melbourne, with the participation of students from Greek schools and city officials.
The Hellenic RSL Melbourne also commemorated the 25th of March and the sacrifice of the Greek heroes of 1821 with a doxology at the St Efstathios Church at 9.30am in South Melbourne and a wreath laying ceremony at the Domain Gardens at 12pm followed by another wreath laying ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance at 1pm.
Attendees and members can then lunch at the Memorial Hall of the Hellenic RSL Sub Branch on 14A Ferrars Place, South Melbourne.
The Greek community will officially celebrate the National Anniversary of March 25, 1821, with a grand parade on Sunday, April 14, at 1pm at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park.
The parade will be attended by the Archbishop of Australia Makarios, and the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanouil Kakavelakis, while invitations have been extended to the state and federal governments.
This year’s parade will be held under the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, in the context of the 100th anniversary of its establishment.
The Greek Orthodox Community Whittlesea also honoured Greek National Day acknowledging the sacrifices of our the 1821 heroes, but also the struggles of first generation migrants to Australia. During a special liturgy at the Transfiguration of our Lord in Thomastown, Father George spoke to the hundreds of parishioners, paying homage to the significance of our National Independence Day for both Greece and the Western World, while noting the centennial anniversary of the Church and the 50th anniversary of the Cypriot invasion.
Members and community enjoyed traditional daouli & clarinet music, live dancing and a hearty meal.
Meanwhile, in Essendon locals spotted the Greek flag waving on a crane and sent images to Neos Kosmos.
