Since 87-year-old Freda Razos was too unwell to leave the ICU to attend her granddaughter’s wedding, her family and the staff at Epworth Hospital in Richmond made sure she still felt part of the celebration.
On Saturday, May 24, the hospital team “went completely out of their way” to transform Mrs Razos’s hospital room into a joyful wedding space.
“They made an arch from two IV poles, bent metal to form a frame, and decorated it with flowers and lights,” said her daughter, Toni Tsalikis, speaking to Neos Kosmos.
The wedding ceremony took place at the Greek Orthodox Church in Forest Hill. Although she couldn’t be there in person, Mrs Razos was surrounded by love.
Her family made sure she could watch the event live from her hospital bed, with relatives Tania Soulis and Maria Lourantos-Evangelou at her side.
To make her feel even more included, the family sent a corsage for her to wear, along with traditional Greek bombonieres.
“My cousin said that my mum was cheering my daughter on as she watched on the laptop. She was clapping with joy… she was just so ecstatic,” Toni recalled.
Mrs Razos was especially delighted to see her great-grandchildren, little Klaudia and Louis, take part in the wedding celebration.
Later that day, following what Toni described as “the most beautiful church service in Forest Hill,” the bride, Anna Ekonomides (née Tsalikis), visited her grandmother in the ICU—still dressed in her wedding gown. She was joined by her twin sisters, Stephanie Tsalikis and Elena Karabatsos, her parents, and the groom, Evan Ekonomides.
“We tried to make it as special for her as possible, so that she felt connected,” said Toni.
Mrs Razos had been in hospital for four weeks leading up to the wedding and was moved to the ICU after contracting COVID-19, which led to a secondary infection. Her condition became critical just days before the ceremony, forcing the family to keep adapting their plans.
“We were hopping our mother was able to attend the church service but due to her health condition the plans changed,” Toni said.
Despite her frail condition, Mrs Razos remained a central figure in the family’s celebration.
“My mum is exceptionally close to her grandchildren. And especially my daughter, Anna, her eldest grandchild who she helped raise, share a strong connection.”
Months earlier, Freda had confided in her daughter that she had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding. “It was a quiet premonition she carried,” said Toni.
What followed, however, was what the family describes as a “real miracle.”
The day after the wedding, doctors pulled the family aside for a serious conversation about Mrs Razos’s health.
“And the following day, her X-rays were clear and at present she’s in a ward and beginning to look more like herself.”
To thank the hospital staff, and honour Mrs Razos’s love of baking, the family gifted heart-shaped kourabiedes made by Toni’s koumbara, Christine Angeli.
“Because you know, that’s what Greeks do!” Toni smiled.
Anna’s wedding became a story not only of love and commitment but of resilience, family, and the quiet power of kindness, even in life’s most difficult moments.
