Bishop Evmenios of Chora attends event for the 84th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete
On Friday, 23 May 2025, at the Cretan House in Brunswick East, Melbourne, the official event for the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete was held, in the presence of representatives of the community, political authorities and the official military delegation from Greece.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was represented by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora. His Grace read the Archbishop’s message, while, on the occasion of his recent visit to Crete, he also shared some of his personal impressions, saying characteristically: “A few weeks ago I visited Crete for the first time. In Souda, in front of the graves of the fallen, I felt something deep and personal. Since then, I see these events differently. Today I stand with greater awareness and emotion. I feel that it is our responsibility to help our children learn about their history and country. To visit Crete, to see with their own eyes their roots. Only in this way will they truly feel who they are.”
In closing, His Grace warmly thanked the Coordinating Committee for the Memory of the Battle of Crete and the Rest of Greece, as well as the Cretan Associations of Melbourne, for the excellent organisation of the event and their ongoing contribution to the preservation of historical memory.
The event was honoured with the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Ms. Dimitra Georgantzoglou, as well as the official military delegation from Greece, consisting of Vice Admiral Theodoros Mikropoulos, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defence Force, Lieutenant Commander Dimitrios Lekakakos and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, Military Attaché in Canberra.
The evening concluded in an atmosphere of emotion, national pride and respect for the memory of those who fought for freedom, confirming that the Battle of Crete continues to inspire and unite.
