Northcote: Festive sounds and carols from all over Greece moved thousands of spectators
In an atmosphere of religious devotion and spiritual joy, the 38th Carols of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia in the State of Victoria took place, an event which was hosted this year at the Archdiocesan District of Northcote with the exhortation and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
In particular, the event entitled ‘Carols by Candlelight’ was hosted in the outdoor space of St John’s College in Preston. The visitors arrived very early on Sunday and enjoyed the multitude of activities that the organisers had prepared with special care. In particular, the face painting, the small farm with animals and the playground attracted the interest of the little children.
With the arrival of the officials, among whom were Their Graces, Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis,
the President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria, Mr. Antonios Tsourdalakis, the new Principal of St John’s College, Mr Andrew Ponsford, and Mr. Nikolaos Archontonis, brother of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the “cue” was given for the start of the event in the outdoor area of the College, filled with thousands of people.
The event was opened by the choir of the Chanters of Melbourne, who chanted Christmas hymns, and was followed by a spiritual journey throughout Greece, with carols presented by many cultural institutions and schools of the city. In particular, the programme included the following participations: the Pontiaki Estia, Oakleigh Grammar, Saint John’s College Preston, the Panepirotian Federation, the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne, the Pan-Cretan Association of Melbourne, the Florinian Association “o Aristotelis” and the “O Periklis” Dance Group, whose members moved the audience with their performances, as well as with their respect for the cultural wealth of the homeland. The “Momogeroi”, a Pontian custom presented by the young people of the Pontiaki Estia, closed the first part of the event, spreading excitement among the spectators.
The second part began with the reading of the message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for the feast of Christmas. The message was read by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, who explained that His Eminence was unable to attend the event due to his visit to Mount Athos. His Grace Bishop Evmenios pointed out that in this holy place he has a special opportunity to pray for everyone, as a spiritual father. Finally, he conveyed the love and paternal wishes of the Archbishop for the following holy days.
The sung carol portion of the programme was undertaken by the Choir of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, with the coordination and guidance of the music teacher Mr. Stelios Tsiolas, and with the participation of singers Anna Tsourdalakis, Agapis Gioftsidis, Panagiotis Ploutos and Pantelis Volaris. Hymns and songs of the festive days of Christmas, New Year and Theophany were heard.
Shortly before the end of the event, the fireworks that appeared in the sky created a particularly festive atmosphere that was enjoyed by young and old alike. At the fall of the curtain, the two Bishops and the dignitaries were called on the stage, where they sang together with the choir, “Your Birth, O Christ our God”, “Kalin Esperan” /«Καλήν Εσπέραν» and “Archiminia kai archichronia” / «Αρχιμηνιά και αρχιχρονιά».
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