The parade for the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821 in Melbourne
On Sunday, 14 April 2024, feelings of emotion, national pride and upliftment were felt by the Greeks of Melbourne, a day on which the official parade for the National Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821 took place in the grand Australian city of Melbourne.
The parade took place at Lakeside Stadium in the suburb of Albert Park and was attended by over 70 groups of schools, associations and organisations of the Greek Community.
Thousands of spectators cheered on the younger generations of Greek children to parade proudly, with Greek flags and in traditional Greek costumes.
Among them, the students of St. John’s College and Oakleigh Grammar School, spread emotion by chanting the kontakion “Τη Υπερμάχω Στρατηγώ/ O Champion General ” and the National Anthems of Greece and Australia.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was represented by Their Graces, Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, Archiepiscopal Vicars of Melbourne and Northcote respectively. His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis conveyed His Eminence’s greetings, as well as his blessings to the large crowd of Greeks who were present at the parade.
Also present were His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, a delegation of members of the Hellenic Parliament, consisting of Mr. Konstantinos Vlasis, Ms. Theodora Tzakri, Ms. Evangelia Liakouli and Ms. Asimina Skondra, representatives of the Australian political leadership, the Ambassador of Greece to Australia His Excellency Mr. Stavros Venizelos, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus His Excellency Mr. Antonios Sammoutis, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the Chairman of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day and President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis, and leaders of local Greek Associations and organisations.
Earlier that day, at the Church of Saint Eustathios in Melbourne, the Divine Liturgy for the 4th Sunday of Lent, commemorating Saint John Climacus of Sinai was celebrated and presided by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis. Among others, the Members of Parliament from Greece, the Ambassador of Greece to Australia Mr. Venizelos, the High Commissioner of Cyprus Mr. Sammoutis and the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Mr. Kakavelakis attended the church service.
