Perth WA: Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Doxology For the Liberation of Kastellorizo
On Sunday the 15th of September 2024, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene in Perth WA held for the first time a Doxology to commemorate the event of the Liberation of the island of Kastellorizo from the Italian and Axis powers during WW2 on the 13th of September 1943.
The Castellorizian diaspora have always had a close relationship with the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene, being dedicated to the patron saints of the island of Kastellorizo.
For this reason, it was decided to commemorate this important anniversary for the first time in the Diocese of Perth at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helene, with the permission of His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth.
For Castellorizians, the event of the liberation of the island in WW2 has always been connected to the feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross as it was their patron saint, St Helene, that first discovered the Holy Cross. It is believed by the locals of the island that on her way back to Constantinople with the Holy Cross that St Helene stopped on the island of Kastellorizo and built the first Orthodox Church there. There are ruins today still visible under the current Church of Sts Constantine and Helene on the island that are evidence of a far more ancient Church having been built (possibly the Church built by St Helene).
During WW2, the island was under Italian occupation. Following the surrender of Italy to the Allies, British Naval ships secured the island from the Italian occupiers on the 13th of September 1943. The British marines and soldiers were met with great joy by the locals, who suffered terrible economic hardship under Axis force occupation during the war.
Present at the Doxology in the Church were representatives from the Castellorizian Association of WA, the Hellenic Community of WA, Castellorizian Women’s Association (Megisti), Vice Consul for Maritime Affairs in Perth Mr Antonios Manoussos as well as a number of Castellorizians who were on the island as children during WW2 and lived through the liberation.
At the conclusion of the service, a festive lunch to celebrate the occasion and the Feast of the Holy Cross was held in the hall next door to the Church. Around 280 people joined together for a free luncheon which was offered by the Church with activities for children, raffle prizes, Greek music and dancing enjoyed by all.
Special acknowledgment must be given to Dr Paul Boyatzis, a Castellorizian who lived on the island during WW2, for his guidance and the information he provided in order to make this celebration possible. It is the hope of the Castellorizian Association of WA that this will become a regular celebration in addition to the commemoration of the sinking of the Empire Patrol Ship.