As Australia marks ANZAC Day, Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia delivered a message honouring the sacrifices and enduring legacy of the ANZACs, highlighting the deep historical ties between Australia, New Zealand, and Greece.
In his statement, the Archbishop urged the public to reflect not only on the courage and sacrifice of the ANZAC soldiers but also on their enduring relevance in today’s uncertain world.
“Today offers us a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect on the greatness of history that is shaped by courageous and virtuous souls—by those who fight for justice and human dignity,” he wrote.
Makarios emphasised that the ANZACs were more than soldiers—they were idealists who fought thousands of kilometres from home for the values of freedom and dignity. For Greeks in particular, their story is intimately linked with Greece’s own modern history.
“From Lemnos to Crete, from the Peloponnese to Macedonia… the blood of Australian and New Zealand soldiers mingled with that of our ancestors in common sacrifices for the defence of universal ideals,” he stated.
Highlighting the Battle of Crete in May 1941, where ANZAC soldiers fought alongside local Greeks against the Nazi invasion, the Archbishop described the memory of their contribution as “sacred” to all with roots on the island.
“We therefore owe them our boundless gratitude, and the least we can do is keep their memory alive, passing their precious legacy on to future generations.
“Today, as we bow with reverence before their memory, let us promise that we will not remain merely in words but that we will have as our guiding compass the values they fought for; that we will not remain silent in the face of injustice; that we will not hesitate to defend the weak. And finally, that we will never allow the ANZACs to be forgotten. For the memory of heroes is not just a piece of history; it’s a light that leads us towards the right direction for the future,” Makarios’s message concluded.
