Greek Orthodox church groups will be opening their hymn books and their lungs at carols nights around the country this weekend.
The beauty of these nights is you get different groups in the Greek Orthodox community, from different parts of Greece, and they will sing their traditional Greek Christmas carols.
In Melbourne, Festival Hall will be filled with more than 2,000 people for the Archdiocese in Melbourne’s 27th annual Christmas Carols.
A spokesperson from the Archdiocese said anticipation for the event was building.
“It’s something we look forward to every year, it takes a lot of preparation and it’s a big deal,” she said.
She said more than 40 communities and parishes from around Melbourne are invited to watch performances from groups such as St Andrew’s Theological College, Sydney; St John’s College, Preston; the Melbourne Archdiocese Choir and the Cypriot Choir.
“All the priests get involved and all the communities, and everyone’s welcome,” she said, adding that the Russian Orthodox Choir will also be performing.
“Because it’s not just about being a Greek carol night, it’s more about bringing the Orthodox community together,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s more about unity than just being Greek.”
Individuals and groups will sing a variety of songs, ranging from Ecclesiastical and Byzantine to more contemporary, in English and Greek, with bilingual narration.
Sydney’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese presents Christmas Carols from 7pm tomorrow in the church courtyard, at 242 Cleveland St, Redfern.
Light refreshments and snacks will be sold, and seating is provided, as well as space for blankets. There is no car parking on the grounds.
Dr Philip Kariatlis from St Andrew’s Theological College, said he’s looking forward to the evening.
“The beauty of these nights is you get different groups in the Greek Orthodox community, from different parts of Greece, and they will sing their traditional Greek Christmas carols,” he said.
In Adelaide, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) also has their carols night tomorrow at the Olympic Hall in Adelaide.
Theo Panagopoulos from the GOCSA said the event, which is over 20 years old, attracts more than 100 people.
“But it depends on how busy people are,” he added.
The carols, including Byzantine hymns, will be sung by the church choir, and backed up by a live band. Entry is free and there’s no need to book.
Last night, a sell-out crowd of 500 people attended the St Timothy’s Christmas Carols evening at the Quarry Amphitheatre in Perth.
Brisbane’s Carols by Candlelight was on Saturday 11 December at the Greek Orthodox Parish/Community of St George, in South Brisbane.
Melbourne Archdiocese Carols – 6pm at Festival Hall, West Melbourne. Call 03 9696 2488.
Sydney’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Carols – 7pm at 242 Cleveland St, Redfern.
Adelaide Carols – 7pm at Olympic Hall, Adelaide.
All events are free and there’s no need to book.