Tens of thousands of Greeks attended Greek Orthodox churches to partake in the Resurrection service, chant “Christ is Risen,” and receive the Holy Light to take home. All churches were filled to capacity.
It was a glorious day for the Greek community, which continued the traditional Easter festivities on Easter Sunday following the Resurrection.
In Melbourne, the favourable weather allowed thousands of Greek Australians to attend Greek Orthodox churches, participate in the Anastasi service, and receive the Holy Light. Neos Kosmos staff attended the Agioi Anargyroi church in Oakleigh, the Anastasi liturgy ay the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Thornbury and St. Efstathios Church in South Melbourne.
The Service of the Evening of Love was held at the Cathedral of Saint Eustathios in the presence of the Consul General of Greece, Emmanouel Kakavelakis, among hundreds of faithful and dozens of priests.
During the Service, the Gospel reading of the day was recited in various languages. In the end, Bishop Kyriakos wished the faithful “a prosperous year, full of health and every good thing”, while distributing red eggs to them as a blessing.
Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis at St. Efstathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Supplied
At St. Efstathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Supplied
At St. Efstathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Supplied
At St. Efstathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Supplied
Resurrection at St. George’s Church, Thornbury, was a profound spiritual experience. Families gathered, including numerous young people eager to partake in the sacred tradition.
As the midnight hour drew near, a palpable sense of anticipation filled the air. The congregation, in and outside the church, eagerly awaiting the passing of the holy light, stood in hushed reverence.
When the light finally emerged, piercing the darkness and illuminating the night, a collective gasp of awe swept through the crowd. Rev Fr. Charalambos Vezos emerged and proclaimed that Chris had Risen, marking the culmination of our shared spiritual journey.
The resonating chants of “Χριστός Ανέστη” (Christ has Risen) filled the air, a powerful chorus of voices young and old, united in their joyous proclamation of Greek Orthodox Easter.
In this shared point of faith and celebration, generations came together, their voices merging in harmony, embodying the timeless message of Resurrection and renewal. Boundaries of age and background dissolved, leaving only a deep sense of spiritual unity and reverence for the essence of Greek Orthodox Easter.
The congregation gave praise and turned to each other with the Easter message of hope, and with lit candles, slowly made their way home to break the fast with avgolemono (αβγολέμονο) and to compete in egg cracking.
As is the custom every year, Greek Australians surprised their non-Greek fellow citizens when, shortly after midnight, thousands of them, carrying lit candles to their homes.
The main celebration in Sydney, alongside Orthodox Christians of other ethnic backgrounds, took place at the feast-bearing church of the Holy Resurrection in Kogarah, where thousands of faithful gathered reverently, despite the heavy rain.
The service of the Resurrection and the festive Divine Liturgy were presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia, accompanied by Bishops Jacob of Miletopolis and Christodoulos of Magnesia, who is the Ecclesiastical Superintendent of the Holy Resurrection Church.
A multitude of representatives from Australia’s political leadership at both federal and state levels attended the event, led by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.
Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by the Archbishop, to whom he said, “It is an honour for me to be here tonight, my dear friend.”
Present were Dimitrios Kouvelas, member of the Hellenic Parliament, Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece to Australia, with his wife, and Ioannis Malikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, with his wife, as well as Linda Burney, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians. Also in attendance were Steve Kamper, Minister for Small Business, Property and Multiculturalism of New South Wales; David Coleman, Federal Member of Parliament and former Minister, Mark Cure; State Member of Parliament and former Minister for Multiculturalism, Sam Elmir; Mayor of Georges River, and others.
At midnight, Archbishop Makarios chanted the triumphant angelic hymn, “Christ is risen from the dead…,” in front of the gathered crowd in the churchyard.
During his Paschal greeting, he announced that after the Resurrection of our Lord, the victory of life over death, Orthodox believers no longer fear death.
“The person who believes in the Resurrection of Christ,” he said, “sees death approaching and is taught by it.”
“Death teaches us to love one another urgently,” he added, “so as not to leave this life embittered with one another.”
Furthermore, he stressed that whoever believes in the Resurrection of the Lord does not consider that with death everything ends and is lost, but that “the sweet dawn arrives, and something beautiful begins.”
Makarios then warmly thanked the faithful who defied the adverse weather conditions and attended the “feast of feasts” of Orthodoxy, once again demonstrating their dedication to the honor of Faith and Nation. He also thanked Prime Minister Albanese for his presence at the ceremony, “for his appreciation of the Orthodox faith, and for his continuous support for the Greek community of Australia”.
Taking the floor, Albanese addressed warm greetings to Archbishop Makarios and the Greek Australian community present, praising the Greek Orthodox tradition and culture, and highlighting the contribution of Greeks to the progress of the Australian Nation.
“It is a great joy for me to participate in the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ,” he noted, adding that “we are witnessing a living and very beautiful tradition.”
He made a special reference to Easter customs observed by Greek Orthodox Australians and congratulated everyone for their transmission from generation to generation.
“The Greek culture is a gift to all of Australia,” he stated, adding that “our modern multicultural society is much richer thanks to your contribution.”
Finally, he underscored the significant role of the Church, which “unites people, promotes the spirit of love in society, and performs valuable philanthropic work”.
Meanwhile today, Sunday, several neighbourhoods across Australia, known for their Greek influence, are already filled with the aromas of lamb and other roasted delicacies prepared for the biggest lunch of the year, followed by grand celebrations in many suburban homes.
More images from Anastasi below:
