The Pan-Macedonian Association of Sydney & NSW launched the 2025 ‘Dimitria’ program at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Kogarah om Sunday, where Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia led the Doxology, Artoklasia and Memorial, assisted by Fr Athanasios Yiatsios. Second- and third-generation Greek-Australian children in traditional Macedonian dress added colour inside and outside the church.

An evening cocktail reception at The Grand Roxy, Brighton brought together community leaders and guests, including Bishop Iakovos of Haritoupolis (representing Archbishop Makarios), Panagiotis Stefanidis (Pan-Macedonian Assoc. Melbourne & Victoria), Apostolos Tsanis (Inter-Community Council, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia), Aikaterini Vali (Athenians’ Association of NSW), Eleftherios Saviolakis (Cretan Brotherhood), Panagiotis Tsiggounis (Greek Chapter of RSL Veterans), Efthymios Kallos (SBS Greek), Vasilis Vasilas (Syndesmos/educator), former Pan-Macedonian president Ioannis Theodoridis, representatives of the Pontian community including Maria Anthony, Panagiotis Papoulidis and Eleni Makri, and choreographers Dimitrios and Stavroula Papapetrou of the Aristotelian Academy.

After a bilingual welcome by coordinators Nena Lembousi and Panagiota (Patricia) Georgiou, historian Dr Panayiotis Diamantis delivered a 20-minute illustrated address spanning Alexander the Great, Aristotle of Stagira, the Manaki brothers, the Battle of Vevi (1941), humanitarian George Devine Treloar, and the historic-to-modern Via Egnatia. Speaking on behalf of the Archbishop, Bishop Iakovos congratulated organisers and stressed the importance of safeguarding Macedonian traditions and Greek language among youth.

The “Dimitria” tradition, dating to the Byzantine era around the feast of St Demetrios (26 Oct.), blossomed in Thessaloniki’s 14th-century “golden century” as a religious-commercial fair with performances and public lectures. In recent decades, Pan-Macedonian Associations worldwide have revived the festival each October–November, giving it a distinctly cultural focus that highlights Macedonia’s Greek identity in Australia and abroad.

Upcoming ‘Dimitria’ program (2025)

  • Sunday 26 October, 9-11.30am: Doxology for St Demetrios, Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Kogarah.
  • Thursday 13 & Friday 14 November, 7-9pm; Saturday 15 November, 3-5pm: Dance workshops with guest instructor from Greece. $20 per session; venue advised by the Committee.
  • Sunday 23 November, 2-4pm: Open lecture (Greek) on the history and influences of Greek dances. Venue TBC (likely Pontoxeniteas Hall, Undercliffe/Earlwood). Free entry.

Bookings and info: Pan-Macedonian Association of Sydney & NSW greekpanmacnsw@gmail.com – also via their Facebook page.