Celebrations for the Battle of Crete on the Gold Coast, Queensland
With the Blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis visited the Gold Coast for the 83rd commemoration of the Battle of Crete.
On Saturday evening, His Grace accompanied by Father Nicholas Brown attended a dinner dance on the occasion of the 50th Year Anniversary since the establishment of the Cretan Association of Queensland.
Present also at the dinner dance were the Honorary Consul of Queensland Mr. Giorgios Mastrocostas, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand Mr. Emmanuel Mountakis, Secretary of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand Ms. Sofia Komarkowski, and President of the Cretan Association of N.S.W Mr. Emmanuel Vitetzakis.
In his address, His Grace congratulated the President of the Cretan Association of Queensland Mr. Anthony Katsanevas on the 50 year anniversary since the establishment of the Cretan Association of Queensland. Furthermore Bishop Bartholomew emphasised the importance of upholding our customs and traditions and wished them all the very best in their future.
His Grace then emphasised another milestone for our community this year, the 100 year anniversary since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. Bishop Bartholomew spoke about the history of our Archdiocese where two Archbishops from Crete led the church of Australia, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of blessed memory from Rethymno and His Eminence our present Archbishop Makarios from Heraklion.
In addition Bishop Bartholomew encouraged the Cretan people to attend the various events celebrating the 100 years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, in particular attending the official Doxology, Divine Liturgy and official Dinner welcoming our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Sydney this October.
His Grace then conveyed the love and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, a proud Cretan.
The following day, Matins and Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace at the church of Saint Anna on the Gold Coast. Following the service His Grace conducted a memorial service for those who fought for faith and country in the Battle of Crete and laid a wreath on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. His Grace Bishop Bartholomew emphasised the importance of not forgetting our beloved who fought for freedom and justice and to continue to pray for the repose of their souls.
