Sydney’s Greek Orthodox faithful gathered on Saturday 21 December at Redfern’s cathedral courtyard to rejoice collectively in the Christmas spirit.
It was a balmy evening filled with both solemn and festive sounds, bringing together traditional Christmas and New Year’s Carols, as well as a range of Byzantine and other Ecclesiastical hymns associated with the festive holy 12-day season.
Under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the ‘Christmas Carols’ annual event, was co-organised by ‘Go Youth NSW’, a committee bringing together youth representatives from all NSW parishes, universities and other fellowships under the guidance of the archdiocese.
The Brotherhood of Ladies of the ‘GO Family and Friends Ministry’ were also among the organisers, under the guidance of Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia and the Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christophoros Krikelis.
Christmas carols were a highlight of the event, but not the only one.
Archbishop Makarios was in attendance and stated he was moved by the outcome, warmly thanking all stakeholders involved.
In his speech, the archbishop referred to the meaning of Christmas signifying “birth, life, joy, hope, but also conveying perspective”.
Go Youth NSW members Vassilios Manis and Nikoleta Spyropoulou served as MCs for the event, which was attended by a list of dignitaries including Athanasios Lambrou, Communication Consultant at the Office of Public Diplomacy of the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, representing Consul General Ioannis Mallikourtis.
Participants included the Australian Byzantine Choir, the “Melisma” Choir under the direction of Dimitrios Koumaroulis, the Youth Choirs of the Christian Association, the Pontoxenitea Pontian Association featuring lyra performer Konstantinos Papoulidis, and children’s choirs from the Sunday School of the Parish-Community of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah and the Parish-Community of All Saints in Belmore.
