Commemorative events marking the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete are now underway, honouring a pivotal World War II campaign that cemented the bonds between Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.
The national program, unveiled by the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, spans May and June, featuring official ceremonies, cultural events, and the participation of a high-ranking delegation from Greece’s Ministry of National Defence.
Leading the Hellenic delegation is Vice Admiral Theodoros Mikropoulos, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, joined by Commander Dimitrios Lekkakos and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos. The group will travel across the country to participate in official commemorations and engage with local Greek communities.
Canberra events – Wednesday 21 May
Today, commemorations move to the Australian Capital Territory, beginning at 12:00pm with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial, co-hosted by the Cretan Association of Canberra and the Embassy of Greece.
At 1.15pm, a second ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial.
The Greek delegation will also visit the Embassy of Greece and attend private functions hosted by the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
Melbourne events – From Friday 23 May
In Victoria, the commemorations begin Friday 23 May with a commemorative cocktail event hosted at the Cretan House by the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and the Pancretan Association at 7pm.
On Saturday 24 May, the official wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance at 11.30am, followed by a second at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial at 12.30pm.
Later that evening, a commemorative dinner dance will take place at the Cretan Village from 7pm.
Major national services – Sunday 25 May
Sunday 25 May will be the most event-filled day of the program, with commemorative doxologies and church services taking place in five Australian states and in New Zealand:
Sydney: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, 9am
Melbourne: Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Catherine, 9am
Darwin: Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, 9am
Brisbane: Morning service hosted by the Cretan Association of Queensland
Wellington (NZ): Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, 10am
Wreath-laying ceremonies will follow services in Darwin and Wellington, at the Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial and the Greek–New Zealand Memorial, respectively.
Queensland events
Commemorative Dinner Dance, Saturday 31 May at Olympic FC in Yeronga, 6.30pm
South Australia
Church Service, Sunday 8 June at the Greek Orthodox Archiepiscopal Church of Saint Sophia, 9am
Annual Dinner Dance, Saturday 14 June at the Cretan House, 7pm
Beyond the official ceremonies, the visiting Greek defence delegation will also make visits to Greek consulates, schools, nursing homes, and participate in private community functions across Sydney and Melbourne.
For updates on local events, times, and venue details, visit the official Cretan Federation or local community pages.
