The Hellenic Presidential Guard attend the Doxology and Wreath Laying Services for “OXI Day” in Perth

Ten members from the Hellenic Presidential Guard attended the Doxology Service at the Church of Evangelismos in West Perth on Sunday the 6th of November to remember Greece’s National “OXI Day”.

The Doxology Service, which followed immediately after the Divine Liturgy, was Presided by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea. 

In his brief message, His Grace stated:

“Today, on behalf of His Eminence  Archbishop Makarios of Australia, I would like to officially welcome the Greek Presidential Guard to Perth. The Evzones are visiting WA for the celebrations of OXI Day and they are visiting our State for the very first time; thus, their visit is certainly a historical one.

We also welcome the Consul of Greece in Perth, Mrs Georgia Karasiotou, together with Vice Admiral Efthymios Mikros, Evzones Captain Panagiotis Karkatzoulis, together with all our visitors from Greece, who we had the honour and privilege to receive at our Archdiocesan District of Perth offices. We were truly honoured this week to see Greece’s Presidential Guard march so proudly down St Georges Terrace from the Greek Consulate towards Council House where they also took part in a flag raising ceremony.

A welcome  reception was held by our beloved City of Perth Lord Mayor, Mr Basil Zempilas, in honour of the Evzones and in the presence of Consuls from across the world. On the same day, the Premier of WA also hosted a function to welcome the Greek Presidential Guard. All this has truly made us Greek Australians feel enormously proud of our Hellenic heritage and Orthodox faith”

Following the Doxology Service the Hellenic Presidential Guard also attended the Wreath Laying Service at the State War Memorial in Kings Park in the presence of the WA Premier, Mr Mark McGowan, Perth Lord Mayor, Mr Basil Zempilas, as well as 103-year-old WWII veteran, Mr Arthur Leggett, who also recited the Ode of Remembrance.

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